Nov 27, 2024

2012-2013 General Catalog (Spring 2013)

2012-2013 General Catalog (Spring 2013) ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Political Science - BA

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Political Science

Students must complete the General Education Requirements :

POLS 1100 (required for POLS and LCS majors) will fulfill the American Institutions requirement
POLS 2200
(required for POLS majors) will fulfill the Social Sciences requirement

Students must also complete the University Studies Depth Requirements :

POLS 4990
(required for POLS majors), plus
POLS 4220
,
POLS 4310
or
POLS 4450
(if selected in the Area Requirements), will fulfill the Communication Intensive (CI) requirement
POLS 3000
(required for POLS majors) will fulfill the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement
Complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above courses from each of the following two categories: Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) and Life and Physical Sciences (DSC)

Bachelor of Arts Degree Language Requirement

Bachelor of Arts Degree

A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree signifies proficiency in one or more foreign languages. Specifically, the BA requirement may be completed in one of the following ways:

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 COMD 4920 and 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.

Political Science Major

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

D. Required Courses (15 credits)

POLS 1100 - United States Government and Politics (BAI) 3
POLS 2100 - Introduction to International Politics 3 or
POLS 2200 - Comparative Politics (BSS) 3
POLS 2300 - Introduction to Political Theory 3
POLS 3000 - Introduction to Political Research (QI) 3
POLS 4990 - Senior Research Seminar (CI) 3 ¹
Note: Advanced Placement US Government is not used for the POLS 1100 requirement, and Advanced Placement Comparative Politics is not used for the POLS 2200 requirement.

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.

1. U.S. Government and Policy

POLS 1100 , U.S. Government and Politics, must be taken prior to taking any of the upper-division coursework listed below.

2. International Relations

POLS 2100 , Introduction to International Politics, or POLS 2200 , Comparative Politics, must be taken prior to taking any of the upper-division coursework listed below.

3. Comparative Politics

POLS 2200 , Comparative Politics, or POLS 2100 , Introduction to International Politics, must be taken prior to taking any of the upper-division coursework listed below.

4. Political Theory

POLS 2300 , Introduction to Political Theory, must be taken prior to taking any of the upper-division coursework listed below.

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:

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 (The P/F credits for POLS 5900 will count toward the major. They are the only exception)
POLS 5910 - Campaign Internship 1-12
POLS 5920 - Washington Internship 1-12
POLS 5930 - State Government Internship 1-12
POLS 5940 - Administrative Internship 1-12
POLS 5950 - International Internship 1-12

Note:

¹POLS 3000 must be taken before POLS 4990 .

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

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
USU Credits (30 USU credits, 20 of which must be upper-division courses, 10 of which must be courses required for student’s major)	30 USU credits
Completion of approved major program of study	See college advisor
Credits in minor (if required)	12
Credits in American Institutions (ECN 1500 ;HIST 1700 , HIST 2700 or HIST 2710 ; HONR 1300 ; POLS 1100 ; or USU 1300	3
General Education Requirements and University Studies Depth Requirements