Political Science Major
Department of Political Science
Division of Social Sciences
Political Science Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 20 | |
| American Government and Politics (to be taken in the freshman or sophomore year) | ||
| Introduction to World Politics (to be taken in the freshman or sophomore year) | ||
| Theories of Peace and Conflict (to be completed by the junior year) | ||
or POL 202 | Justice, Power, and Political Thought | |
| Political Data Analysis (to be taken in the spring of the junior year) | ||
| Political Science Senior Seminar | ||
| Select 7 Courses From Below (1 From Each Category) | 28 | |
| American Government and Political Thought | ||
| Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| Congress & Political Polarization | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Religion and Politics in the U.S. | ||
| State and Local Politics | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Women and Politics | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Enduring Topics Westrn Political Thought | ||
| Media and Politics | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Politics of Development | ||
| Comparative Government: Western Europe | ||
| Democracy in Asia: Past and Future | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| Politics, Religion, Ethnicity in S. Asia | ||
| Africa in the World | ||
| International Politics | ||
| International Politics | ||
| Human Rights & Social Justice | ||
| International Organization & Law | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| U.S.- Latin American Relations | ||
| International Relations of East Asia | ||
| Comparative Peace Processes | ||
| U.S. Foreign Policy in the Middle East | ||
| Gender and Conflict | ||
| Experiential Learning 1 | 0 | |
| Senior Capstone Experience (POL SCE) | 2-4 | |
| Total Credits | 50-52 | |
- 1
Must complete one experiential learning activity, a meaningful experience related to politics outside of the classroom. It is important for students to apply theories and concepts in “real-world” setting. See below for the many ways to complete the Experiential requirement:
- Completion of an POL internship related approved by the political science faculty (either credit or non-credit bearing). Credit-bearing internships include structured programs such as the Maryland General Assembly. The Washington Center Internship Program in Washington, DC and the Hansard Programme in London—all of which have GPA requirements. Also allowed are internships through the Global Education Office. Students may arrange their own political internship experience and work with political science faculty to develop course credit or may opt to complete an internship without a credit option. To earn college credit for a political internship, arrangements must be made prior to the start of the internship.
- Participation in a Model Diplomacy Program (POL 471 Model Diplomacy) or a Model United Nations program (POL 473 Model United Nations) together with the two-credit course component. Please see Professor Carrie Reiling, advisor to the Model UN programs, for more information for applying to participate.
- Participation in the Geographic Information Systems program that has a direct policy or political application.
- Completion of a substantial volunteer or political advocacy activity outside of class requirements that has been approved by a political science faculty. Regular participation in student clubs, such as Student Government or College Democrats or Republicans, does not count.
- At least one semester or summer study abroad. The college currently participates in more than 30 study-abroad programs—including 15 programs in which courses are taught in English. Students who complete the Oxford Research Seminar, the Prague program, or other short-term study abroad related to Political Science may count it for the experiential learning activity.
Students completing POL 209 Political Data Analysis, can have that course count as one quantitative course toward the college’s distribution requirements.
Students may interested in special programs and student conferences:
- Model Diplomacy and Model United Nations
- Student Conference on United States Affairs at West Point
- PLEN Seminar on Women and Congress, Women and Public Policy, and/or Women in Global Policy