The curriculum in political science is directed toward an understanding of national and international governmental studies with particular emphasis on preparing students for graduate school, the study of law, and responsibilities in politics, administration, education, and public organizations. For a complete explanation of all our course offerings, please refer to our list of courses with descriptors.

On this page:

• Basic Political Science Major
• Dual Major
• Basic Political Science Minor
• Specialization in International Studies and Comparative Government
• Jan Term Courses

Basic Political Science Major – 42 Hours

Core Courses
1101- Introduction to Political Science
1111- Classical Political Thought OR 1112- Modern Western Political Thought or2219 Research Design and Methods
4492- Senior Seminar capstone experience
1198-4498- Independent Studies (2-4 Hours)

Students majoring in Political Science may choose to concentrate in either International Relations or American Government. Students will select three courses from each of the other subject areas:

American Government
1151- Law Order and Social Change in America
2201- American Political Institutions
2202- State and Local Government
2207- American Public Policy
2210- Media and Politics
2215 Environmental Policy
2216- US Campaigns and Elections
3305- Public Administration
3308- American Constitutional Law
3319- American Civil Liberties

International Relations
2203- International Law and Organizations
2204- Theories and Approaches to International Relations
2213- Comparative Politics
2214 African Politics through Literature
2217 Contemporary African Politics
3306- National Security in a Changing World
3307- US National Security Policy
3310- Politics of Developing Areas
3311 Third World Politics
3312 The Politics of African Diaspora
3313 Politics of Global Feminisms
3314 The Politics of Ethnicity and Nationalism
3317- Communist and Post-Communist System
3333 Conflict Resolution, Peacemaking, and Peacekeeping in Post-Cold War World.

Recommended Courses
Computer Science
Economics
Literature
Philosophy
Psychology

Suggested First Year Schedule
1101- Introduction to Political Science
English Composition (based on Placement)
Physical Education Activity or Military Science
First-year seminar

One course from each of the following
Foreign Language
Science
Social Science
Humanities

Dual Major – 50+ Hours

Political Science and International Studies - Economics (56 Hours)
1101- Introduction to Political Science
1111- Classical Political Thought OR 1112- Modern Western Political Thought OR 2219 Research Design and Methods
4492- Senior Seminar capstone experience
3 Additional Political Science Courses

Economics 2201, 3303, 3320, 4405
Eight hours of Economics at the 3000 or 4000 level
Statistics 2215, 2216

For more information contact: Dr. Neal, Political Science and International Studies or Dr. Olsh, Economics.

Political Science and International Studies - English (52 Hours)
1101- Introduction to Political Science
1111- Classical Political Thought OR 1112- Modern Western Political Thought OR 2219 Research Design and Methods
4492- Senior Seminar capstone experience
3 Additional Political Science Courses

English 2221, 2222, 2223, 2224
3 Courses from: English Genre
Major Themes and Special Topics listed under the English major
English major Figures and Groups

For more information contact: Dr. Neal, Political Science and International Studies or Dr. Deveny, Foreign Language.

Political Science and International Studies - Foreign Language (56 Hours)
Programs are available in French, German, and Spanish.
1101- Introduction to Political Science
1111- Classical Political Thought OR 1112- Modern Western Political Thought OR 2219 Research Design and Methods
4492- Senior Seminar capstone experience
3 Additional Political Science Courses

Foreign Language 1101, 1102, 2211, 2212, 4410, (4410 must be taken at WMC)
3 Additional courses (only one may be in English)
1 Semester spent studying abroad OR 1 Year in residence in a language house on campus.

For more information contact: Dr.Leahy, Political Science and International Studies or Dr. Deveny, Foreign Language.

Political Science and International Studies - History
1101- Introduction to Political Science
1111- Classical Political Thought OR 1112- Modern Western Political Thought
4492- Senior Seminar capstone experience
3 Additional Political Science Courses

History 1105, 1106
4 Upper level History courses
History 4492

For more information contact: Dr. Neal, Political Science and International Studies or Evergates, History.

Political Science and International Studies - Secondary (7-12) Teacher Certification (68 Hours)
1101- Introduction to Political Science
1111- Classical Political Thought OR 1112- Modern Western Political Thought
4492- Senior Seminar capstone experience
3 Additional Political Science Courses

Education 1141, 2240, 3345
Semester in Education 3327, 3329, 4432, 4434
Psychology 1106, 33

Basic Political Science Minor

Political Science requirements
1101- Introduction to Political Science
1111-Classical Political Thought OR 1112- Modern Western Political Thought OR 2219 Research Design and Methods
2 Courses from American Government
2 Courses from International Relations

Specialization in International Studies – 48 Hours

1101- Introduction to Political Science
1111- Classical Political Thought OR 1112- Modern Western Political Thought Or 2219 Research Design and Methods
2203- International Law and Organizations
2204- Theories and Approaches to International Relations
4492- Senior Seminar capstone experience

Two courses from the following:
2213- Comparative Politics
3310- Politics of Developing Areas
3317- Communist and Post-Communist System
3333- Conflict Resolution, Peacemaking, and Peacekeeping in Post-Cold War World.

2 Foreign Language courses (beyond the Basic Liberal Arts Requirement)
4 Courses in consultation with an advisor

Jan Term Courses

2271- International Simulations
1144 Fishing and Diving Belize
1140-01 Culture and Politics of Cameron