Major/Minor Guidelines

The Department of Government, Policy, and Law offers two B.A degree concentrations: 

• B.A. degree in Government, Policy, and Law
• B.A. degree in Government, Policy, and Law with a Pre-Law Concentration

The requirements for both concentrations consist of 14 GOVT classes totaling 42 credits that are required by the Department. Department majors in both concentrations must complete the four "core" classes with a C- or better: GOVT 111, GOVT 221, GOVT 231, and GOVT 251. For the required-related courses, please refer to the Curriculum Guide Sheet and your academic advisor.

Courses in the department cover three major areas of study. Writing courses are noted by a "W" designation; Perspective courses are noted by a "P" designation; and Diversity courses are noted by a "D" designation.

I. American Government and Politics

GOVT 100:  Politics and Popular Culture

GOVT 111:  Introduction to American Government ^{REQUIRED COURSE}

GOVT 112:  Introduction to State and Local Government

GOVT 205:  Introduction to Public Policy

GOVT 211:  Introduction to the U.S. Constitution ^{GOVT 111 RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 212:  Women and American Politics (W) ^{ENGL 110 RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 215:  The American Presidency (W) ^{GOVT 111 RECOMMENDED. **FORMERLY GOVT 215}

GOVT 241:  Public Administration and Public Service (W) 

GOVT 312:  American Political Parties and Interest Groups (W) ^{GOVT 111 RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 314:  The American Judiciary (W) ^{GOVT 111 IS RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 315:  Congress and Lawmaking (W) ^{GOVT 111 IS RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 333:  American Political Thought (W) ^{ENGL 110 IS RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 341:  Introduction to City Planning (P) ^{GOVT 111 IS RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 355:  American Foreign Policy ^{GOVT 111 AND/OR GOVT 251 ARE RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 361:  Politics of Race and Ethnicity (D)

GOVT 411:  Constitutional Law: Separation of Powers and Federalism ^{GOVT 111 IS REQUIRED. GOVT 211 AND/OR GOVT 314 ARE RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 412:  Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties ^{GOVT 111 IS REQUIRED. GOVT 211 AND/OR GOVT 314 ARE RECOMMENDED}

II. International/Comparative Politics

GOVT 221:  Introduction to Comparative Political Systems ^{REQUIRED COURSE}

GOVT 228:  Democracy and It's Challenges

GOVT 251:  Introduction to Global Affairs ^{REQUIRED COURSE}

GOVT 252:  Global Crime and Justice

GOVT 323:  Middle East Politics (D) 

GOVT 325:  Modern Asia ^{GOVT 221 IS RECOMMENDED. FORMERLY TITLED "POLITICS OF EAST ASIA"}

GOVT 327:  Canadian Government and Politics (P)

GOVT 351:  International Law ^{GOVT 251 AND/OR GOVT 352 ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 352:  International Organizations ^{GOVT 251 AND/OR GOVT 352 ARE STRONGLY RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 355:  American Foreign Policy ^{GOVT 111 AND/OR GOVT 251 ARE RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 455:  U.S. - Middle East Foreign Relations (W) ^{GOVT 355 REQUIRED OR PERMISSION OF INSTRUCTOR. OFFERED IN SPRING SEMESTERS}

GOVT 456:  Global Humanitarianism (W) ^{ENGL 110, GOVT 251 AND/OR INTL 201 ARE REQUIRED. JUNIOR CLASS STANDING OR PERMISSION FROM INSTRUCTOR}

III. Theory and Methods

GOVT 231: Introduction to Political Theory ^{REQUIRED COURSE}

GOVT 331: Modern Political Thought (W) ^{GOVT 111 AND GOVT 231 ARE REQUIRED}

GOVT 332: Recent Developments in Political Theory ^{GOVT 231 IS RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 333:  American Political Thought ^{GOVT 231 IS RECOMMENDED}

GOVT 401:  Methods of Political Science ^{GOVT 231 IS REQUIRED. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED FOR STUDENTS PLANNING TO ENTER GRADUATE SCHOOL OR ADVANCE STUDY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE.}  

GOVT 431:  Literature and Politics (W) ^{GOVT 111 AND GOVT 231 ARE REQUIRED. RESTRICTED TO JUNIORS AND SENIORS.}

IV. Other

GOVT 408: Seminar in Government and Political Affairs

Addresses special topics in the discipline at an advance level. Seminar may be taken more than once provided the topic is different each time. GOVT 408 can satisfy either the American Politics or the International Area. Comparative requirement depending upon the topic. Consult advisor and the department chairperson.

V. Additional Guidelines

Internships and Co-ops
A maximum of three internship/co-op credits may be counted towards the major or minor under the political science elective category at the 200-level.

Under special circumstances, depending upon the content and level of the internship/co-op and with the permission of the department chair, majors (not minors) may count and additional three credits towards the completion of the major requirements.

Department Honors Option
The University's policy regarding Departmental Honors is outlines in the Undergraduate Catalog. When considering whether to pursue Departmental Honors, majors should consider the following general guidelines:

• To be eligible, students must have completed 75 s.h. and have a cumulative QPA of at least 3.0 and endorsement of a department faculty member (they need not be enrolled in the University Honors Program).
• The student must be committed to conducting a research/thesis program for two academic semesters prior to expected time of graduation for a total of 3 credits, which are not counted towards the requirements for the major.
• The student should be aware that the completed thesis will be submitted to, examined by and orally defended before a departmental committee.
• The student should be aware that the completed thesis will be submitted to, examined by and orally defended before a departmental committee.

Contact your advisor for further information on this option.

C. Pi Sigma Alpha

The Department maintains a chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. Majors who have at least a 3.0 overall QPA and at least a 3.35 QPA in the major by the semester they apply to graduate will be contacted by the Department. For those students eligible, a $35 lifetime membership fee is required.