Political Science - BA, BS

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science

About This Degree

Political science is the study of government, public policies, political processes, and political behavior. The department is committed to encouraging students to reflect on the political demands that will inevitably fall on them as citizens of the U.S. and as human beings.

As political science majors at USU, students will gain a theoretical and factual understanding of international and national governments, politics and political philosophies. Through discussion-based classroom experiences and research experiences, students will be able to gain hands-on experience interacting with the tenets of government functions and duties. Students will learn to reflect on their role in society and communicate those expectations clearly.

Students receive a BS by completing all required courses in the major. To receive a BA, students must also gain proficiency in one or more foreign languages.

For more information about Political Science, see the Department of Political Science website.
Admitted and current students must meet with an academic advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is Quantitative Literacy (QL) course of the student’s choice.

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken through USU: 30
Total major required credits taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 2.5 GPA Overall and 2.5 at USU.

Additional Information

Bachelor of Science Degree

Students desiring a (BS) Bachelor of Science degree must complete all requirements listed in the core requirements below.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

In addition to completing the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree requirements, students desiring a (BA) Bachelor of Arts degree must also complete the language proficiency requirements in one of the following ways:

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.

Major Requirements (36 credits)

Minimum GPA for Graduation: 2.5, major courses; 2.5, USU; 2.5, Career

Minimum Grade Accepted: C- in major courses

Please note that none of the courses can be taken pass/fail; all Political Science courses must be taken for a letter grade. Also, all courses must be attended in their entirety.

Students may count up to 6 credit hours toward the Political Science major that were also taken in pursuit of another major or minor.

A. Required Courses (15 credits)

POLS 1100 - United States Government and Politics (BAI) 3 credit(s)
POLS 2100 - Introduction to International Relations (BSS) 3 credit(s) or
POLS 2200 - Comparative Politics (BSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 2300 - Introduction to Political Theory (BHU) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3000 - Introduction to Political Research (QI) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4990 - Senior Research Seminar (CI) 3 credit(s)

Note:

¹POLS 3000 must be taken before POLS 4990 .

B. 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.

1. U.S. Government and Policy

Note: POLS 1100 must be taken prior to taking any of the upper-division coursework listed below.

POLS 3110 - Parties and Elections (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3115 - Electoral Behavior 3 credit(s)
POLS 3120 - Law and Politics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3130 - United States Legislative Politics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3140 - The Presidency (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3150 - State and Local Government 3 credit(s)
POLS 3170 - Law and Economics 3 credit(s)
POLS 3180 - Introduction to Public Administration 3 credit(s)
POLS 3810 - Introduction to Public Policy (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4120 - American Constitutional Law 3 credit(s)
POLS 4140 - Political Organizations 3 credit(s)
POLS 4150 - The Supreme Court and the Shaping of America 3 credit(s)
POLS 4160 - The First Amendment 3 credit(s)
POLS 4350 - Public Policy and Democratic Theory 3 credit(s)
POLS 4800 - Constitutional Design 3 credit(s)
POLS 4820 - Natural Resources and Environmental Policy: Political Economy of Environmental Quality (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4840 - Regulatory Politics 3 credit(s)
POLS 4890 - Special Topics 1-5 credit(s) (3 credit maximum)²
POLS 5000 - Political Analysis (QI) 3 credit(s)
POLS 5100 - Politics and Public Policy 3 credit(s)
POLS 5110 - Social Policy 3 credit(s)
POLS 5130 - Law and Policy 3 credit(s)
POLS 5140 - Law, Politics, and War 3 credit(s)
POLS 5420 - The Mass Media and Politics 3 credit(s) or
JCOM 5420 - The Mass Media and Politics 3 credit(s)

2. International Relations

Note: POLS 2100 or POLS 2200 must be taken prior to taking any of the upper-division coursework listed below.

POLS 3100 - Global Issues 3 credit(s)
POLS 3200 - The Politics of Development (CI/DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3400 - United States Foreign Policy (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3410 - International Human Rights System 3 credit(s)
POLS 3430 - Political Geography (CI/DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3700 - Terrorism and Counterterrorism 3 credit(s)
POLS 4210 - European Union Politics 3 credit(s)
POLS 4260 - Asian Government and Politics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4280 - Politics and War 3 credit(s)
POLS 4410 - International Negotiations 3 credit(s)
POLS 4450 - United States and Latin America (CI) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4460 - National Security Policy 3 credit(s)
POLS 4462 - The US Intelligence Community 3 credit(s)
POLS 4463 - Grand Strategy and International Politics 3 credit(s)
POLS 4464 - International Security (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4470 - Foreign Policy in the Pacific 3 credit(s)
POLS 4890 - Special Topics 1-5 credit(s) (3 credit maximum)²
POLS 5210 - Comparative Political Change/Development 3 credit(s)
POLS 5270 - Latin American Politics and Development 3 credit(s)
POLS 5300 - Cyber Warfare and International Politics 3 credit(s)
POLS 5400 - National Security Strategy and Strategic Uncertainty 3 credit(s)
POLS 5480 - International Trade Policy 3 credit(s)
POLS 5770 - Strategic Culture 3 credit(s)

3. Comparative Politics

Note: POLS 2100 or POLS 2200 must be taken prior to taking any of the upper-division coursework listed below.

POLS 3200 - The Politics of Development (CI/DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3210 - Western European Government and Politics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3220 - Russian and East European Government and Politics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3230 - Middle Eastern Government and Politics 3 credit(s)
POLS 3240 - African Government and Politics 3 credit(s)
POLS 3250 - Chinese Government and Politics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3270 - Latin American Government and Politics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4210 - European Union Politics 3 credit(s)
POLS 4220 - Ethnic Conflict and Cooperation (CI/DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4230 - Issues in Middle East Politics 3 credit(s)
POLS 4260 - Asian Government and Politics (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4410 - International Negotiations 3 credit(s)
POLS 4450 - United States and Latin America (CI) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4500 - The Politics of Social Movements (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4890 - Special Topics 1-5 credit(s) (3 credit maximum)²
POLS 5140 - Law, Politics, and War 3 credit(s)
POLS 5210 - Comparative Political Change/Development 3 credit(s)
POLS 5270 - Latin American Politics and Development 3 credit(s)

4. Political Theory

Note: POLS 1100 and POLS 2300 must be taken prior to taking any of the upper-division coursework listed below.

POLS 3310 - American Political Thought (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 3320 - The Foundations of American Constitutionalism 3 credit(s)
POLS 4130 - Constitutional Theory 3 credit(s)
POLS 4310 - History of Political Thought I (CI) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4320 - History of Political Thought II (DSS) 3 credit(s)
POLS 4330 - Political Theory and Literature 3 credit(s)
POLS 4890 - Special Topics 1-5 credit(s) (3 credit maximum)²

Note:

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

C. 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:

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

POLS 5900 - Government and Policy Internship Seminar 3 credit(s)
POLS 5910 - Campaign Internship 1-12 credit(s)
POLS 5920 - Washington Internship 1-9 credit(s)
POLS 5930 - State Government Internship 1-9 credit(s)
POLS 5940 - Administrative Internship 1-9 credit(s)
POLS 5950 - International Internship 1-9 credit(s)

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120

Suggested Degree Map - Political Science BA, BS

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