Political Science Major Requirements
A student majoring in Political Science must successfully complete (with a grade of C or better) a minimum of eleven courses (thirteen if the student is concentrating in Legal Studies or Criminal Law — see the requirements listed below) including:
Four required introductory courses:
AND Six electives (or eight required courses if the student chooses the Legal Studies or Criminal Law concentrations — see the requirements listed under these concentrations).
Students may choose to take two of the six electives outside the department, subject to approval of the Chair of the Political Science Department. One of the electives may be an Internship, completed for a grade and under faculty supervision. Only one of the six electives may be at the 1000 level.
AND Senior Evaluation or Senior Honors Thesis (and Seminar)
Political Science Senior Evaluation
There are two options for completing the Senior Evaluation, required of all Political Science majors:
- To take Political Science Perspective Seminar I (POS 3001) and II (POS 3096) (previously called Honors Seminar I and II), a student must have a G.P.A. of 3.5 or above in the major (3.5 for Honors; 3.0 for Distinction), and write a senior honors thesis in the seminar or
- To complete the senior evaluation (not Honors or Distinction) by writing a research paper in a 3000-level Political Science Seminar during the Senior year.
Honors and Distinctions in Political Science
Graduation with Honors in Political Science requires that a student complete the Honors Program. Students must have a 3.5 grade point average in courses taken for the major. Students must complete both the Perspective seminars (POS 3001 & POS 3096) (previously called Honors Seminar I and II) and a senior thesis. To receive departmental honors at graduation, it is necessary to earn at least a B+ on the thesis and to have an overall average of 3.5 in courses taken for the major. Distinction in Political Science also requires completion of Perspective Seminar I and II and the thesis, as well as a grade point average of 3.0 in the major.
Legal Studies Concentration
Students majoring in Political Science may select a Legal Studies concentration. They must complete the eight courses listed below for the concentration, plus the four required Political Science courses and Senior Evaluation for a total of thirteen courses.
Requirements for Legal Studies Concentration
| POS 2087 | Introduction to Common Law | 3 |
| POS 2004 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| POS 2019 | Civil Liberties | 3 |
| | |
| POS 2024 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| OR | |
| POS 2093 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| | |
| One course on Business Law* | |
| One seminar on Perspective on Law* | |
| Two electives in Criminal Law or Legal Studies (One of the electives may be from outside the Department) | |
All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.
* See course descriptions for appropriate courses.
Criminal Law Concentration
Students majoring in Political Science may elect Criminal Law as a concentration. They must complete the eight courses listed below for the concentration, in addition to the four required courses for the Political Science major, and Senior Evaluation for total of thirteen courses.
Requirements for Criminal Law Concentration
| POS 2087 | Introduction to Common Law | 3 |
| POS 2093 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| POS 2024 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| | |
| POS 2004 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| OR | |
| POS 2019 | Civil Liberties | 3 |
| | |
| One course on Business Law* | |
| One seminar on Perspective on Law* | |
| Two electives in Criminal Law or Legal Studies (One of the electives may be from outside the Department) | |
*See courses description for appropriate courses.
All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.