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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: | 36 Credits | ||
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 | |
| or | ENGH 1005 | Literacies and Composition Across Context (5) | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Writing Academic Writing and Research | 3 | |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | ||
| MAT 1030 | Quantitative Reasoning (3) (recommended) | ||
| MAT 1035 | Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra (6) (recommended) | ||
| STAT 1040 | Introduction to Statistics (3) | ||
| STAT 1045 | Introduction to Statistics with Algebra (5) | ||
| MATH 1050 | College Algebra (4) | ||
| MATH 1055 | College Algebra with Preliminaries (5) | ||
| MATH 1090 | College Algebra for Business (3) | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | ||
| HIST 1700 | American Civilization (3) | ||
| HIST 2700 | US History to 1877 (3) | ||
| and | HIST 2710 | US History since 1877 (3) | |
| HIST 1740 | US Economic History (3) | ||
| POLS 1000 | American Heritage (3) | ||
| Complete the following: | |||
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics and Values | 3 | |
| HLTH 1100 | Personal Health and Wellness (2) | ||
| or | EXSC 1097 | Fitness for Life | 2 |
| Distribution Courses: | |||
| Biology | 3 | ||
| Physical Science | 3 | ||
| Additional Biology or Physical Science | 3 | ||
| Humanities (fulfilled by completing any foreign language 202G/2020 course ) | 4 | ||
| Fine Arts | 3 | ||
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | ||
| Discipline Core Requirements: | 18 Credits | ||
| POLS 1100 | American National Government | 3 | |
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 | |
| POLS 2200 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 | |
| POLS 230G | Introduction to Political Theory | 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 (3) | |
| Elective Requirements: | 36 Credits | ||
| Foreign Language Requirement: Complete 1010,1020, 2010, and 202G (one language) | 12 | ||
| Any courses numbered 1000 or higher. (9 credit hours must be upper division (3000-4000 level courses)) | 24 | ||
| Emphasis Requirements: | 30 Credits | ||
| Complete 18 credits from the followings courses (at least one must be Writing Enriched): | 18 Credits | ||
| 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 3120 | Political Parties (3) | ||
| POLS 3150 | US Presidency (3) | ||
| POLS 3160 | Campaigns and Elections (undefined) | ||
| POLS 3170 | Political Psychology WE (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) | ||
| PHIL 3700 | Social and Political Philosophy (3) | ||
| SOC 3460 | Political Sociology (3) | ||
| Complete any 12 elective credits (at least 4 credits must be upper division) | 12 Credits | ||
Graduation Requirements:
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.
Milestone courses (pre-requisites for a course in one of the subsequent semesters) are marked in red and Italicized.
| Semester 1 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing or Literacies and Composition Across Context | 3 |
| American Institutions | Choose from list | 3 |
| Fine Arts | Choose from list | 3 |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | Choose from list | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Writing/Academic Writing and Research | 3 |
| MAT 1030 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097 | Personal Health & Wellness or Fitness for Life | 2 |
| POLS 1100 | American National Government | 3 |
| Semester total: | 14 | |
| Semester 3 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics & Values | 3 |
| Biology | Choose from list | 3 |
| Physical Science | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| POLS 230G | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Biological/Physical Science | Choose from list | 3 |
| POLS 2200 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 5 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Language 1010 | Foreign Language | 4 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from concentration list | 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 | Foreign Language | 4 |
| POLS 3310 | Introduction to Public Policy WE | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from concentration list. | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from concentration list. | 3 |
| POLS 3250 | Introduction to Law and Politics | 3 |
| Semester total: | 16 | |
| Semester 7 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Language 2010 | Foreign Language | 4 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from concentration list. | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from concentration list. | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from concentration list. | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | Choose from concentration list. | 3 |
| Semester total: | 16 | |
| Semester 8 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Language 202G/2020 | Foreign Language | 4 |
| POLS 480R/4990 | Internship WE or Senior Seminar WE | 3 |
| Upper-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Upper-Div Elective | Choose from list | 3 |
| Semester total: | 13 | |
| Degree total: | 120 | |
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.
