POLITICAL SCIENCE

Students choosing to major in political science gain fundamental understanding of American government, how our governmental system compares with other major political systems, and how the U.S. interrelates with the rest of the world. Majors gain competence in political analysis and research skills as well as an understanding of political power, government institutions, international affairs, and political theory.

Students majoring in political science affiliate with either the Letters or Behavioral Science Collegium, depending on their individual career or research plans. Both collegial tracks require the completion of Introduction to American National Government and Politics, Introduction to Comparative Politics, and Introduction to International Relations. Beyond the three introductory courses, all students must complete six additional non- introductory political science courses including at least one from each field within political science.

American Politics

PO 202E Public Policy-Making in America
PO 223S American Political Thought
PO 251S The Media and Foreign Policy
PO 301S Constitution and Individual Rights
PO 303S The American Presidency
PO 304S U.S. Congress
PO 305S Political parties and Interest Groups
PO 325S Environmental Politics and Policy
PO 351 National Security Policy

Comparative Politics

PO 221S Politics of Revolution and Development
PO 231G East Asian Comparative Politics
PO 232G The Paciic Century
PO 252S Middle East Politics
PO 263G North African Politics
PO 311G Latin American Politics
PO 313 Politics of the European Politics
PO 321S Comparative European Politics
PO 322S Authoritarian Political Systems
PO 324 East European Politics
PO 333 Japan: Government, Politics and Foreign Policy
PO 335S Government and Politics of China
PO 336S East Asian International Relations
PO 363G Middle East Political Economy
PO 421S Comparative Judicial Politics

International Politics

PO 200S Diplomacy and International Relations
PO 211G Inter-American Relations
PO 212S U.S. Foreign Policy
PO 241S International Political Economy
PO 242S Politics of Defense: Economics and Power
PO 243S Human Rights and International Law
PO 313 Politics of the European Union
PO 315 International Relations: Theories of War and Peace
PO 316G Women and Politics Worldwide
PO 322S Authoritarian Political Systems
PO 336S East Asian International Relations
PO 341 Ethics and International Relations
PO 342S Hunger, Plenty and Justice
PO 343S International Environmental Law
PO 352G The Globalization Debate
PO 362G Middle East Conflicts and Wars
PO 364 Islam and Human Rights

Political Theory

PO 201S Power, Authority and Virtue
PO 222S Political Ideologies
PO 223S American political Thought
PO 315 Theories of War and Peace
PO 302S Constitution and Individual Rights
PO 316G Women and Politics Worldwide
PO 323S Seminar in Democratic Theory
PO 341 Ethics in International Relations

All political science majors must also complete Political Science Research Methods and the political science Senior Seminar. The typical course sequence for political science majors includes the completion of three introductory courses in their first year, followed by an individually tailored set of upper-division courses.

Students with specific career or research interests not adequately covered by the discipline may substitute one course from another discipline for one upper-level political science course with prior approval of the political science faculty. Students are encouraged to explore their career or research interests through an appropriate internship. With the approval of the political science faculty, one internship may fulfill a political science major requirement. One winter term project may also be accepted toward degree requirements in political science.

Students may earn a minor in political science with successful completion of PO 102S, either PO 103G or PO 104G, and any four additional non-introductory courses spread across the political science faculty.

For an additional resource pertaining to how you might fulfill the requirements for a degree in Political Science, you can review the Political Science Major Discipline Graduation Checklist.