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 | ||
| POLS 3300 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 | |
| POLS 3310 | Introduction to Public Policy WE | 3 | |
| Complete 12 credits from the followings courses: | 12 | ||
| AIST 3590 | American Indian Law (3) | ||
| AIST 3600 | American Indian Policy and Tribal Government (3) | ||
| ECON 4150 | Public Finance (3) | ||
| HR 3430 | Introduction to Human Resource Management (3) | ||
| POLS 3020 | Public Program Analysis (3) | ||
| POLS 3030 | State and Local Government (3) | ||
| POLS 3070 | Policy Analysis (3) | ||
| POLS 3320 | Nonprofits and The Public Sector (3) | ||
| POLS 3330 | Environmental Politics and Policy (3) | ||
| POLS 3340 | Public Innovation (3) | ||
| POLS 3350 | Health Politics and Policy (3) | ||
| POLS 3360 | The Politics of Economic Inequality (3) | ||
| POLS 3370 | Leading Cities (3) | ||
| POLS 3380 | Local Economic Development (3) | ||
| POLS 3390 | Urban Planning (3) | ||
| POLS 420R | Issues and Topics in Political Science (3) | ||
| POLS 490R | Independent Study (1-4) | ||
| Complete any 12 elective credits (at least 4 credits must be upper division) | 12 | ||
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.
| Semester 1 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing CC or Literacies and Composition Across Context CC | 3 |
| POLS 1100 | American National Government AS | 3 |
| HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097 | Personal Health & Wellness TE or Fitness for Life TE | 2 |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Semester total: | 17 | |
| Semester 2 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing CC | 3 |
| MAT 1030 |
Quantitative Reasoning QL | 3 |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| American Institutions | 3 | |
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations SS | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 3 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics & Values IH | 3 |
| Biological Science | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| POLS 230G | Introduction to Political Theory GI | 3 |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| POLS 2200 | Introduction to Comparative Politics SS | 3 |
| Biological / Physical Science | 3 | |
| POLS 3310 | Introduction to Public Policy WE | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 5 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| POLS 3250 | Introduction to Law and Politicis | 3 |
| POLS 3300 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| Upper-Div Elective | 3 | |
| POLS 3000 | Political Analysis | 3 |
| Lower-Div. Elective | 3 | |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 6 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Quantitative Requirements | 3 | |
| POLS 3010 | Politicial Analysis II | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| Lower-Div. Elective | 3 | |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 7 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Quantitative Requirements | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| Semester total: | 15 | |
| Semester 8 | Course Title | Credit Hours |
| Quantitative Requirements | 3 | |
| POLS 480R/4990 | Internship WE or Senior Seminar WE | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| Lower-Div Elective | 4 | |
| 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.
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