History & Political Science, Political Science Concentration, B.A.

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Political science is the study of government institutions, the public policies they develop and implement, and the political processes and forces that shape those institutions and policies. Using social science methodologies, political scientists also compare political systems across nations, explore the intersection of politics and economics, study the dynamics of international relations, and engage in normative debates about what politics should be and should result in.

Mission and Outcomes: Political Science

Students completing the political science concentration will have mastered the global learning objective of civic knowledge. This encompasses being able to apply political science theories and methods of inquiry to a host of political phenomena.
Students will be versed in four sub-disciplines of political science: American Government, Political Theory, Comparative Politics, and International Relations.
Students will be prepared for graduate-level study in social science or professional fields, as well as for careers requiring the ability to master a substantial field of knowledge, research issues credibly, and write effectively.
Students will be able to use their skills to assume leadership roles in civic and professional organizations.

Political Science Concentration - 49 Credit Hours

Complete the following:

POS 101 - American Government 3 credits
POS 493 - Political Science Capstone Seminar 1 credits

Complete ONE of the following sequences for a total of 6 credit hours:

Complete 6 credit hours in a foreign language sequence (each of the two, 3-credit courses in the foreign language sequence must be in the SAME foreign language).

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OR:

Complete the following math sequence:

MAT 201 - Probability and Statistics I 3 credits
MAT 202 - Probability and Statistics II 3 credits

Select ONE of the following International Relations courses:

*Or an international relations-related course from another UMS Campus, with your advisor’s approval)

HTY 371 - International Relations and Modern Conflicts 3 credits
OR
POS 371 - International Relations and Modern Conflicts 3 credits
POS 369 - American-Canadian Relations 3 credits

Select ONE of the following Political Theory courses:

(*Or a political theory-related course from another UMS Campus, with your advisor’s approval)

POS 211 - Introduction to Political Thought 3 credits
POS 303 - Feminist Theory 3 credits
OR
PHI 303 - Feminist Theory 3 credits
POS 343 - Marxism 3 credits
OR
PHI 343 - Marxism 3 credits
POS 335 - Modern Political Thought 3 credits

Select ONE of the following Comparative Politics courses:

(*Or a comparative politics-related course from another UMS Campus, with your advisor’s approval)

HTY 377 - Modern China 3 credits
OR
POS 377 - Modern China 3 credits
POS 301 - European Governments and the European Union 3 credits

Select ONE of the following American Government courses:

(*Or a comparative politics-related course from another UMS Campus, with your advisor’s approval)

POS 310 - Energy Law & Policy 3 credits
POS 320 - Energy Project Development 3 credits
POS 332 - Constitutional Law 3 credits

Complete 18 credit hours of upper level (300-400) Political Science courses:

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Complete 9 credit hours of History courses:

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Select general electives to bring total earned hours to 120

Total credits required for degree: 120

Minimum cumulative GPA for graduation: 2.00
Cumulative GPA in the major and concentration: 2.25