Political Science Major

Major Requirements

Normally, no more than two independent study courses or political science courses taken on an off-campus study group are accepted for major credit. For the two study groups sponsored by the Department of Political Science, in Geneva, Switzerland, and in Washington, D.C., up to three course credits may automatically be applied toward fulfilling departmental major credit. For more information about transfer credit, refer to the Political Science Department page.

For students electing a double major in political science and international relations, no more than two courses may be counted for completion of both majors. For students seeking a major in political science and a minor in international relations, no courses may be double-counted.

No course with a grade below C will count for major credit.

The requirements for a major in political science are as follows:

Political Science Courses (ten)

American Politics

One of the following:

• POSC 150 - America as a Democracy (AM)
• POSC 210 - Congress (AM)
• POSC 211 - The Presidency and Executive Leadership (AM)

Comparative Politics

One of the following:

• POSC 153 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (CO)
• POSC 208 - Comparative Democracies (CO)
• POSC 214 - Comparative Politics: East and Southeast Asia (CO)
• POSC 215 - Comparative Politics: Middle East (CO)
• POSC 216 - Comparative Politics: Latin America (CO)

International Relations

One of the following:

• POSC 152 - Global Peace and War (IR)
• POSC 232 - Fundamentals of International Relations (IR)
  Restrictions:No student can count both POSC 152 and POSC 232 toward the POSC majorNo student can take POSC 152 after having taken POSC 232No student can take these courses simultaneously

Political Theory

One of the following:

• POSC 151 - Politics and Moral Vision (TH)
• POSC 260 - Foundations of Political Thought (TH)

Electives

• One additional political science course at any level
• Four additional 300- or 400-level political science courses
  • Note: Only one of the two honors seminar courses - POSC 498 or POSC 499 - can count as an elective for major credit.

400-level Seminar

One 400-level seminar course. Note that study group courses, POSC 498, and POSC 499 do not fulfill this requirement.

Honors and High Honors

Students interested in pursuing honors can find the additional requirements on the Political Science department page.

Recommendations for Majors and Other Students

Those interested in studying political science may begin at any course level but are likely to find it most convenient to start with those at the 100 or 200 levels. In consultation with their faculty advisers, students should plan course sequences that fulfill major requirements while allowing them, if so desired, to develop particular interests in some depth while still gaining a well-rounded grounding in the discipline. All majors are encouraged, as well, to take electives in other closely allied social sciences.

The 100-level courses are designed for students likely to major in other fields of study as well as those considering a major or minor in political science. The 200-level courses are intended to serve as gateway courses to the major as well as to particular subfields. Both the 100- and 200-level courses, then, serve as general introductions providing a broad foundation in the discipline and are particularly suitable for first - and second - year students. The 300- and 400-level courses are, in most instances, somewhat more demanding and less general than lower-level courses and allow students to explore a specific topic in greater depth. These courses are generally directed, but not limited, to the needs of juniors and seniors. Majors and others interested in one particular area of the discipline, for example in international relations, can take up to seven courses, seminars, or independent studies in that area of interest, especially in classes at the 300 and 400 level.

Political Science Department

For more information about the department, including Faculty, transfer credit, awards, etc., please visit the Political Science department catalog page.