Jan 06, 2025  
2016-2017 General Catalog 
    
2016-2017 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Political Science - BA, BS


College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science

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  • For more information about Political Science, see the Political Science Department website.
  • Following is a sample four-year plan. Please note that student-specific plans may differ.
  • Admitted students must meet with an academic advisor. Current students should also meet with an academic advisor and logon to DegreeWorks  to check student-specific program progress.

Bachelor of Science Degree

Students desiring a (BS) Bachelor of Science degree must complete all requirements listed in the sample four-year plan below:

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Students desiring a (BA) Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the language proficiency requirements in one of the following ways:     * (in addition to the (BS) Bachelor of Science degree requirements)

  • Demonstration of proficiency in one foreign language by successful completion of one course at the 2020-level or higher (or its equivalent)  OR
  • Demonstration of proficiency in American Sign Language by successful completion of American Sign Language IV (COMD 4920) and Socio-Cultural Aspects of Deafness (COMD 4780), and by passing an exit interview  OR
  • Demonstration of proficiency in two foreign languages by successful completion of the 1020 course level in one language and the 2010 course level in the second language (or its equivalent)  OR
  • Completion of an upper-division (3000-level or higher) foreign language grammar or literature course requiring the 2020 course level (or its equivalent) as a prerequisite. Conversation courses cannot be considered for satisfying this requirement.
     

For nonnative English-speaking students only, the following options are available:

  • Successful completion of the Intensive English Language Institute (IELI) program for international students  OR
  • TOEFL, Michigan, or IELI placement scores high enough to meet the University admission criteria.

 

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits 120

 

Grade Point Average (most majors require higher GPA)

2.00 GPA
Credits of C- or better 100 Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above) 40
Total USU Credits 30 Upper-division USU Credits 20
USU Credits within the Major 10 Credits in Minor (if required) 12
Credits in Major see below Credits in American Institutions 3
General Education Requirements   see link University Studies Depth Requirements   see link
NOTES: highest Math Requirement for this degree is Quantitative Literacy (QL) Course  of student’s choice

 

Admissions Requirements for this Program

New freshmen Admitted to USU in Good Standing

 

Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU 2.5 GPA Overall and 2.5 at USU

First Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 1010: Introduction to Writing: Academic Prose (CL1)   3     POLS 2300: Introduction to Political Theory   3    
POLS 1100: United States Government and Politics (BAI)   3     Quantitative Literacy (QL) Course   3  
POLS 2100: Introduction to International Politics  OR POLS 2200: Comparative Politics (BSS)   3  OR 3    Breadth Requirement 3  
Breadth Requirement 3   Breadth Requirement 3  
Breadth Requirement 3   Breadth Requirement 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

 

Comments

Second Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

ENGL 2010: Intermediate Writing: Research Writing in a Persuasive Mode (CL2)   3     POLS Upper Division Course: (Area 1) 3  
Breadth Requirement 3   POLS Upper Division Course: (Area 2) 3  
Elective Course 3   Communications Intensive (CI) Course   3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

 

Comments

 

Third Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

POLS 3000: Introduction to Political Research (QI)   3     POLS Upper Division Course: (Area 1) 3  
POLS Upper Division Course: (Area 1) 3   POLS Upper Division Course: (Area 2) 3  
Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) Course   3   Depth Life and Physical Sciences (DSC) Course   3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

 

Comments

 

Fourth Year

 Fall Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

 

Spring Semester

Credits

General Education Info and Notes:

POLS Upper Division Course 3   POLS 4990: Senior Research Seminar (CI)   3    
POLS Upper Division Course 3   Upper Division Elective Course 3  
Upper Division Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
Elective Course 3   Elective Course 3  
TOTAL CREDITS: 15   TOTAL CREDITS: 15  

Comments

 

Comments

 

 

Political Science Pre-Major Requirements


Students who wish to become Political Science majors must apply for admission after completing the Department’s pre-major program. New freshmen in good standing are eligible to declare the pre-major. Continuing students and transfer students with a 2.5 GPA are eligible to declare the pre-major. When the pre-major courses are completed with a GPA of 2.5, the student will be able to declare the Political Science major. A student must be declared as a Political Science Major in order to apply for graduation.

Complete all of the following (15 credits)


Complete Two additional General Education courses (6 credits) chosen with undergraduate advisor:


In an effort to support essential learning outcomes, it is recommended that the student follow the general education program contained in the Preparing for Degrees, Careers and Lives: Pathways to General Education pamphlet developed by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Careful selection of general education classes can enhance a student’s undergraduate experience. The following are examples of recommendations to help students enhance their experience in the social sciences and foster critical and creative thinking skills of inquiry, analysis, and evaluation.

For example:

Students who wish to emphasize US Government and policy analysis in their curriculum are encouraged to consider:

Law school candidates:

Interest in environmental policy issues:

International relations and Foreign Service:

Those with an emphasis in political theory:

Political Science Major Requirements (36 credits)


Completion of Pre-major with a 2.5
Minimum GPA for Admission: 2.5, USU; 2.5, Career
Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, major courses; 2.5, USU; 2.5, Career
Minimum Grade Accepted: C- in major courses

A. Total credits in Political Science Courses: 36


B. Overall GPA: 2.5


C. Average GPA in Political Science Courses: 2.50


Note:


1POLS 3000  must be taken before POLS 4990 .

E. Area Requirements (15 credits minimum)


Select two of the following four areas: U.S. Government and Policy, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory. Complete nine upper-division credits in one of the selected areas and six upper-division credits in the other. Even though a course may be listed under more than one area, it can be applied to only one area. Prior to taking the upper-division courses in a particular area, students must take the introductory course corresponding to that specific area.

Note:

2 The subject matter of POLS 4890  determines the area to which it applies.

F. Electives (6 credits)


In addition to the 15 credits of required prerequisite courses and the 15 credits of area courses, students must complete six upper-division elective credits. Any upper-division Political Science courses may be used to fulfill this requirement, with two exceptions:

  1. Not more than three credits in Directed Readings courses (POLS 4910 ) can apply to this requirement.
  2. Not more than three credits in the following courses can apply to this requirement: