Campuses:
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Morris Campus
Political Science B.A.Division of Social Sciences - Adm
Division of Social Sciences
Political science is the comprehensive study of the behaviors, organizations, institutions, and philosophical foundations of political life at the individual, state, national, and international settings.
Objectives:
The major program is designed to prepare students for lifelong civic engagement and leadership in democratic society, as well as intercultural competence as global citizens. The political science major curriculum stresses the development of strong analytical skills and critical thinking and prepares students for further academic training in political science, law, public administration, international relations, and other graduate programs as well as for work in public affairs, business, journalism, interest groups, and a wide range of other careers.
Program Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Students will know and remember significant terms, processes, concepts, principles, and theories in political science research across the sub-fields.
2. Students will know and utilize multiple methods of analysis and synthesize their knowledge and skills to design, conduct, and present independent political research.
3. Students will understand and be able to compare, contrast, and explain perspectives on global and cross-cultural issues at the state, national, and international levels.
4. Students will demonstrate effective skills in oral and written analysis through identification and production of the parts, relationships, and organizing principles of political research communication.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Admission Requirements
For information about University of Minnesota admission requirements, visit the
Office of Admissions
website.
General Requirements
All students are required to complete general University and college requirements. For more
information, see the general education requirements.
Program Requirements
Students are required to complete 2 semester(s) of
any second language.
with a grade of C-, or better, or S, or demonstrate proficiency in the language(s) as defined by the department
or college.
The political science major requires 40 credit hours of political science courses. Of those, 16 are required core courses and 24 are elective courses. The political science discipline strongly recommends that students take advantage of opportunities in internships, field studies, and study abroad.
Students are also strongly encouraged to take advantage of courses in other disciplines such as economics, history, psychology, philosophy, and statistics that will complement and enrich their political science coursework. Symbolic Logic (PHIL 2101) is recommended for pre-law students and statistics (STAT 1601 or 2601) for other political science majors.
No grades below C- are allowed. Courses may not be taken S/N, unless offered S/N only.
A minimum GPA of 2.00 is required in the major to graduate. The GPA includes all, and only, University of Minnesota coursework. Grades of "F" are included in GPA calculation until they are replaced.
Required Courses
Introductory Courses
Take 2 or more course(s) from the following:
·
POL 1101 - Introduction to Political Theory
[E/CR]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 1201 - American Government and Politics
[E/CR]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 1401 - World Politics
[IP]
(4.0 cr)
Research Methods
POL 2001W - Political Science Research Methods
[SS]
(4.0 cr)
Research Seminar
POL 4905 - Senior Research Seminar in Political Science
(4.0 cr)
Electives
Within the 24 additional elective credits, majors are required to complete:
-at least 4 credits of 2000-level work in addition to 2001W.
-at least 12 credits of 3000-level work.
Additional options for majors (exclusive of courses used for the core requirement):
Majors may complete:
-one additional 1000-level course
-up to 8 credits of Pol 1993, 2993, 3993, 4993 with discipline approval
-up to 4 credits of Pol 3996 with discipline approval
Political Science majors must satisfy distribution requirement by taking at least 8 credits in American Politics and at least 8 credits in International and Comparative Politics.
Take 24 or more credit(s) from the following:
American Politics
Take 8 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
POL 2202 - Criminal Justice and Policing
[SS]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 2221 - The American Judicial Process
[SS]
(2.0 cr)
·
POL 2222 - The U.S. Supreme Court
[SS]
(2.0 cr)
·
POL 2234 - Race, Class and Power: Social Movements in U.S. Politics
[HDIV]
(2.0 cr)
·
POL 2235 - Race, Class and Power: Interest Groups in U.S. Politics
[HDIV]
(2.0 cr)
·
POL 2261 - States: Laboratories of American Democracy
[E/CR]
(2.0 cr)
·
POL 2262 - Power and Politics in American Cities and Communities
[E/CR]
(2.0 cr)
·
POL 3201 - Legislative Process
[SS]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3211 - The American Presidency
[SS]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3231 - Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
[HDIV]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3232 - Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers and Constraints
[SS]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3235 - U.S. Criminal and Tribal Law
[SS]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3251 - American Democracy in Action: Campaigns, Elections, and Political Behavior
[SS]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3263 - Political Psychology
[SS]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3272 - Making Environmental Public Policy
[ENVT]
(4.0 cr)
·
International and Comparative Politics
Take 4 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
POL 2401 - U.S. Foreign Policy
[IP]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 2411 - Model United Nations
[IP]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 2461 - Diplomatic Negotiation
[IP]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 2501 - East Asian Society and Politics
[SS]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3411 - International Law
[IP]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3451 - Comparative Foreign Policy
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3453 - Russian Politics and Foreign Policy
[IP]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3475 - International Human Rights
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3504 - Latin American Politics
(4.0 cr)
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Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | POL 2202/HMSV 2202 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 2221/Pol 3221 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 2222/Pol 3221 |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 2234/Pol 3234 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 2235/Pol 3234 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 2262/Pol 3261 |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 3231/Pol 3233 |
Prerequisites: | 1201 or # |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Prerequisites: | 1201 or # |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Prerequisites: | 1201; Psy 1051 or # recommended |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Prerequisites: | 1401 or # |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Prerequisites: | 1401 or # |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Prerequisites: | 1401 or # |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |