Fields and Electives
- Two introductory courses, Fundamental Concepts of Politics I & II (PO 041 and PO 042)
- At least one course in each of the four subfields of Political Science:
- American Politics (PO 300-399)
- Comparative Politics (PO 400-499)
- International Politics (PO 500-599)
- Political Theory (PO 600-699)
- Four electives, from among any courses offered by the department.
NOTE: Courses designated as PO 200-299 count as electives toward the major but do not fulfill the four subfield distributional requirements; courses numbered 700 and above are graduate courses.
Qualifications, Exceptions, and Special Rules
- PO 041 and 042 need not be taken in the numerical sequence, although it is generally wise to do so. We recognize that some students coming late to the major will need to take PO 042 prior to PO 041.
- Students who have already taken one or more Political Science elective courses before deciding on the major may be able to substitute one of those for one of the Fundamentals courses. Approval from the Department is necessary to do so, however.
- There are courses in Political Science offered in the university's Woods
College of Advancing Studies (WCAS). However, full-time undergraduate students
may take no more than one WCAS course each semester. Freshmen may not enroll
in any WCAS course. WCAS courses may be used to fulfill elective requirements
only. Students should consult in advance with the Department's
transfer credit adviser
if they intend to use a WCAS course to fulfill a major requirement. - Students may transfer up to four courses (12 credits) from other institutions,
including foreign study programs. But in no case may a student earn a degree
in Political Science without taking at least six courses in the Department.
Transfer credits and foreign-study credits may not be used to satisfy the
four subfield distributional requirements. Students should consult the other limits
and regulations that apply to
transfer credits and
study-abroad credits.
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