Department of Political Science
Majors & Minors
GUIDELINES FOR A MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
A minimum of 36 credits, including:
- American Government and Politics, PLSC 110 (3 credits)
- Comparative Politics, PLSC 140 (3 credits)
- International Relations, PLSC 220 (3 credits)
- Political Methodology, PLSC 280 (3 credits)
- Normative Political Theory, PLSC 380 (3 credits)
- One course in Public Administration (PLSC 260 or 360), and/or Public Law (PLSC 370, 372 or 376)
- One January Session course or approved equivalent
- One Capstone seminar
- Two additional courses, one from the subfields of American/Public Administration/Public Law and one from International Relations/Comparative Politics.
Students wishing to pursue an International Relations Track should complete the basic requirements for the political science major and the following courses in International Relations and Comparative Politics:
- PLSC 228; 332; 333 (9 credits)
- PLSC 330, 339, or 340 (3 credits)
- Two courses in Comparative Politics from at least two regions (6 credits)
In addition, students pursuing this track should take at least two (2) years of a foreign language and other appropriate courses as recommended by the department.
Students are also encouraged to participate in an overseas or off-campus program that is either language-based or has a political science or international relations component.
GUIDELINES FOR A MINOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
A minimum of 18 credits, including PLSC 100 or 110, selected in consultation with the department minor advisor to fulfi ll one of the following emphases:
General Emphasis: At least one course in four of the following subfi elds: American Politics; Public Administration and Law; International Relations; Comparative Politics; and Political Theory.
Subfield Emphasis: 12 credits taken in one or two related subfields.

