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Political Science - American Government Emphasis, B.S.

Requirements

Political science enjoys a central position among the social sciences. Aristotle characterized politics as the “queen of the sciences.” It is a broad discipline that encompasses philosophical, historical and analytical studies of governments, politics and policies. Political science students learn not only the concepts, theories and methods associated with the discipline, but also gain the cognitive and presentational skills required of tomorrow’s public and private leaders. At its core, politics is about building and maintaining communities at the local, state, national and international levels that enable citizens to live enriching and fulfilling lives. Political science students develop not only an understanding of those communities, but also the ability to influence them.

Total Program Credits: 120

General Education Requirements: 35 Credits
  ENGL 1010 Introduction to Academic Writing CC 3
or ENGH 1005 Literacies and Composition Across Context CC (5)  
  ENGL 2010 Intermediate Academic Writing CC 3
Complete one of the following: 3
  MAT 1030 Quantitative Reasoning QL (3) (recommended)  
  MAT 1035 Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra QL (6) (recommended)  
  STAT 1040 Introduction to Statistics QL (3)  
  STAT 1045 Introduction to Statistics with Algebra QL (5)  
  MATH 1050 College Algebra QL (4) (recommended for business, Education, Science, and Health Professions majors)  
  MATH 1055 College Algebra with Preliminaries QL (5)  
Complete one of the following: 3
  HIST 1700 American Civilization AS (3)  
  HIST 2700 US History to 1877 AS (3)  
and HIST 2710 US History since 1877 AS (3)  
  HIST 1740 US Economic History AS (3)  
  POLS 1000 American Heritage SS (3)  
Complete the following:  
  PHIL 2050 Ethics and Values IH 3
  HLTH 1100 Personal Health and Wellness TE (2)  
or EXSC 1097 Fitness for Life TE 2
Distribution Courses:  
  Biology 3
  Physical Science 3
  Additional Biology or Physical Science 3
  Humanities 3
  Fine Arts 3
  Social/Behavioral Science 3
Discipline Core Requirements: 30 Credits
  POLS 1100 American National Government AS 3
  POLS 2100 Introduction to International Relations SS 3
  POLS 2200 Introduction to Comparative Politics SS 3
  POLS 230G Introduction to Political Theory GI 3
  POLS 3000 Political Analysis 3
  POLS 4990 Senior Seminar WE (3)  
or POLS 480R Internship WE 3
or PJST 4900 Peace and Justice Studies Capstone WE (3)  
Quantitative Requirement  
  POLS 3010 Political Analysis II 3
Complete 9 credits from the following courses: 9
  POLS 3020 Public Program Analysis (3)  
  POLS 3040 Survey Research and Design Methods (3)  
  POLS 3050 Experimental Methods in Political Science (3)  
  POLS 3060 Qualitative Analysis (3)  
  POLS 3070 Policy Analysis (3)  
Elective Requirements: 25 Credits
  Any courses numbered 1000 or higher. (3 credit hours must be upper division (3000-4000 level courses)) 25
Emphasis Requirements:  30 Credits
Complete 18 credits from the following courses (at least one must be Writing Enriched): 18
  AIST 4600 Contemporary American Indian Political and Social Issues (3)  
  CNST 3870 Constitutional History to Plessy 1896 (3)  
  CNST 3880 Constitutional History Since Plessy 1896 (3)  
  CNST 4720 Foundations of American Constitutionalism (3)  
  CNST 4790 US Constitution (3)  
  PJST 4300 Race Gender and Class in Peace and Justice (3)  
  POLS 3030  State and Local Government (3)  
  POLS 3040 Survey Research and Design Methods (3)  
  POLS 3120 Political Parties  (3)  
  POLS 3150 US Presidency (3)  
  POLS 3160 Campaigns and Elections (3)  
  POLS 3170 Political Psychology WE (3)  
  POLS 3180 Public Opinion and Political Behavior (3)  
  POLS 3200 US Congress (3)  
  POLS 3220 Interest Groups (3)  
  POLS  3310 Introduction to Public Policy WE (3)  
  POLS 3350 Health Politics and Policy (3)  
  POLS 3480 Race in Politics (3)  
  POLS 420R Issues and Topics in Political Science (3)  
  POLS 490R Independent Study (1-4)  
  PHIL 3700 Social and Political Philosophy (3)  
  SOC 3460 Political Sociology (3)  
  Complete any 12 elective credits (4 credits must be upper division) 12

 Graduation Requirements:

  1. Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits, 40 credits must be upper-division.
  2. Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above, with no POLS course grade below C-.
  3. Residency hours: minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
  4. Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
  5. Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.

Graduation Plan

This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.

Semester 1 Course Title Credit Hours
ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 Introduction to Academic Writing CC or  Literacies and Composition Across Context CC 3
American Institutions 3
Fine Arts 3
Social/Behavioral Sciences 3
Lower-Div Elective  3
  Semester total: 15
Semester 2 Course Title Credit Hours
ENGL 2010 Intermediate Academic Writing CC 3
MAT 1030 Quantitative Reasoning QL 3
Lower-Div Elective 3
HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097 Personal Health & Wellness TE or Fitness for Life TE 2
POLS 1100 American National Government AS 3
  Semester total: 14
Semester 3 Course Title Credit Hours
PHIL 2050 Ethics & Values IH 3
Biology 3
Physical Science 3
POLS 2100 Introduction to International Relations SS 3
POLS 230G Introduction to Political Theory GI 3
  Semester total: 15
Semester 4 Course Title Credit Hours
Biological/Physical Science 3
POLS 2200 Introduction to Comparative Politics SS 3
Lower-Div Elective 3
Lower-Div Elective  3
Lower-Div Elective  3
  Semester total: 15
Semester 5 Course Title Credit Hours
Language 1010 4
POLS Concentration 3
Upper-Div Elective  3
POLS 3000 Political Analysis 3
POLS 3300 Introduction to Public Administration 3
  Semester total: 16
Semester 6 Course Title Credit Hours
Language 1020 4
POLS 3310 Introduction to Public Policy WE 3
POLS Concentration 3
POLS Concentration 3
POLS 3250 Introduction to Law and Politics 3
  Semester total: 16
Semester 7 Course Title Credit Hours
Language 2010 4
POLS Concentration 3
POLS Concentration 3
POLS Concentration 3
POLS Concentration 3
  Semester total: 16
Semester 8 Course Title Credit Hours
Language 202G/2020 4
POLS 480R or POLS 4990 Internship WE or Senior Seminar WE 3
Upper-Div Elective 3
Upper-Div Elective  3
  Semester total: 13
  Degree total: 120

Department

History and Political Science

The History and Political Science department is in the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. To find the most up-to-date information, including Program Learning Outcomes for degree programs offered by the History and Political Science department, visit their website.

History and Political Science department

Program Details

Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Demonstrate critical reading, analytical thinking, advanced writing, and oral presentation skills.
  2. Demonstrate competency in identifying and comparing various types of political models, political theories, and academic literature.
  3. Acquire civic knowledge and understand how it is important for civic engagement.
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