About the International/Comparative Track:
(This degree program is only available to students admitted for semesters prior to Fall 2011. To see the current BA program, please click here.)
The International/Comparative program teaches students about world powers, foreign policy, and different types of governmental systems.
Graduates of this program often work for the federal government's State Department, Department of Homeland Security, or American embassies abroad. Other graduates may pursue a career in foreign relations through a non-governmental organization or advocacy group. Many students choose a career in businesses with overseas operations and trade; this program also allows students to continue their education in graduate or law school, or military work.
Degree Requirements:
All majors are responsible for planning their programs to meet the General Education, Departmental, College, and University requirements. All persons who wish to secure the B.A. in Political Science are expected to fulfill the following requirements:
- A minimum of 30 semester hours in Political Science
Required:
3700: 150 World Politics and Government
3700: 201 Introduction to Political Research
3700: 303 Introduction to Political Thought
3700: 300 Comparative Politics --or-- 3700: 310 International Politics and Institutions
And two 400-level courses (may include 400-level course used to meet the American politics requirement)
Choose TWO American politics courses:
341 American Congress
350 American Presidency
360 Judicial Process
402 Politics and the Media
474 Political Opinion, Behavior and Electoral Politics
475 American Interest Groups
476 American Political Parties
Additional Political Science elective courses to equal 30 credits total in Political Science.
- Math requirement -- 3450:135 Math for Liberal Arts, 3450:145 College Algebra, 3470:250 Statistics for Everyday Life, 3470:260 Basic Statistics, or a higher level Math or Statistics class. The Department of Political Science recommends Statistics courses for success in higher level Political Science courses.
- Second year of a foreign language
- 47 Credits of 300/400 level courses -- excluding the General Education requirements (i.e. Humanities, Area Studies & Cultural Diversity, or any workshop)
- Minimum credits required for B.A. degree -- 128 semester hours
- Students must maintain a 2.2 average overall, and a 2.2 average in Political Science.