Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Political Science MinorPolitical Science Department
College of Liberal Arts
Political scientists study topics, such as the exercise of power and influence; sources and resolution of conflicts; the relation of politics to the economy, culture, and other aspects of society; the adoption and implementation of public policies; and the development of political systems. These topics are studied at all levels, from local communities to the global community.
The scope of the discipline is reflected in the main areas of specialization that make up the undergraduate curriculum: political theory, comparative government and politics, international relations, and American governmental systems and processes.
Program Delivery
This program is available:
Minor Requirements
Political science minors who major in global studies must complete at least two upper-division courses outside of the comparative government and international relations subfields. Global studies majors must take at least two upper-division courses from political theory or American government.
Students may earn a BA or a minor in political science, but not both.
Minor Courses
Take at least one course in two of the four subfields: political theory, American government, comparative government, and international relations.
Take 16 or more credit(s) from the following:
Lower-Division Courses
Take 0 - 8 credit(s) from the following:
·
POL 1026 - U.S. Foreign Policy
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 1201 - Political Ideas
[HIS, CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 1234 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 19xx - Freshman Seminar
·
POL 1001 - American Democracy in a Changing World
[SOCS]
(3.0 cr)
POL 1001H {Inactive}
[SOCS]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 1019 - Indigenous Peoples in Global Perspective
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
or
AMIN 1002 - Indigenous Peoples in Global Perspective
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 1025 - Global Politics
[SOCS, GP]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 1025H {Inactive}
[SOCS, GP]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 1054 - Politics Around the World
[SOCS, GP]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 1054H {Inactive}
[SOCS, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
Political Theory
Take 0 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
POL 3210 - Topics in Political Theory
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3225 - American Political Thought
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3235W - Democracy and Citizenship
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3251W - Power, Virtue, and Vice: Ancient and Early Modern Political Theory
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3252W - Revolution, Democracy, and Empire: Modern Political Thought
[AH, CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3265 - Ideas and Protest in French Postwar Thought
[AH, CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4210 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4253 {Inactive}
(3.0-4.0 cr)
·
POL 4275 - Domination, Exclusion, and Justice: Contemporary Political Thought
[DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4280 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 5210 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 5280 {Inactive}
(3.0-4.0 cr)
·
Comparative Government
Take 0 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
POL 3410 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3431 - Politics of India
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3451W - Politics and Society in the New Europe
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3464 - The Politics of Economic Inequality
[DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4474W - Russian Politics: From Soviet Empire to Post-Soviet State
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3475 - Islamist Politics
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3477 - Political Economy of Development
[SOCS, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3479 - Latin American Politics
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3481H - Comparative Political Economy: Governments and Markets
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3489W - Citizens, Consumers, and Corporations
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4410 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4463 - The Cuban Revolution Through the Words of Cuban Revolutionaries
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4473W {Inactive}
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4481 - Comparative Political Economy: Governments and Markets
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4487 - The Struggle for Democratization and Citizenship
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4495 {Inactive}
[DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 5410 {Inactive}
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
POL 4403W - Constitutions, Democracy, and Rights: Comparative Perspectives
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5403 - Constitutions, Democracy, and Rights: Comparative Perspectives
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4461W - European Government and Politics
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5461 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 4465 - Democracy and Dictatorship in Southeast Asia
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5465 - Democracy and Dictatorship in Southeast Asia
[GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4477 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
or
POL 5477 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3478W - Contemporary Politics in Africa and the Colonial Legacy
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
AFRO 3478W - Contemporary Politics in Africa and the Colonial Legacy
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4492 - Law and (In)Justice in Latin America
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5492 - Law and (In)Justice in Latin America
(3.0 cr)
·
American Government
Take 0 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
POL 3308 - Congressional Politics and Institutions
[SOCS]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3309 - U.S. Supreme Court Decision-Making, Process, and Politics
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3310 - Topics in American Politics
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3310H - Topics in American Politics
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3317 {Inactive}
[SOCS]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3319 - Education and the American Dream
[SOCS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3321 - Issues in American Public Policy
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3323 - Political Tolerance in the United States
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3325 - U.S. Campaigns and Elections
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3365 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3733 - From Suffragettes to Senators: Gender, Politics & Policy in the U.S.
[DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3462 - The Politics of Race, Class, and Ethnicity in the United States, South Africa and Cuba
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3766 - Political Psychology of Mass Behavior
[SOCS]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3767 - Political Psychology of Elite Behavior
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4310 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4317 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4501W - The Supreme Court and Constitutional Interpretation
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4766 {Inactive}
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4771 - Race and Politics in America: Making Sense of Racial Attitudes in the United States
[DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4773W - Advocacy Organizations, Social Movements, and the Politics of Identity
[DSJ, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 5306 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 5310 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 5322 {Inactive}
(3.0-4.0 cr)
·
POL 5331 {Inactive}
(3.0-4.0 cr)
·
POL 3327 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5327 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3701 - Indigenous Tribal Governments and Politics
[HIS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
or
AMIN 3501 - Indigenous Tribal Governments and Politics
[HIS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3752 - Chicana/o Politics
[SOCS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
or
CHIC 3852 - Chicana/o Politics
[SOCS, DSJ]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3769 - Public Opinion and Voting Behavior
[SOCS]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5767 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3785 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 3785H {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4315W - State Governments: Laboratories of Democracy
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5315 - State Governments: Laboratories of Democracy
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4502W - The Supreme Court, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights
[CIV, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5502 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4507 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
or
AMIN 4501 - Law, Sovereignty, and Treaty Rights
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4525W - Federal Indian Policy
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
AMIN 4525W - Federal Indian Policy
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5525 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4737 - American Political Parties
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5737 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
International Relations
Take 0 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
POL 3810 - Topics in International Relations and Foreign Policy
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3835 - International Relations
[SOCS, GP]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4810 - Topics in International Politics and Foreign Policy
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4867W {Inactive}
[GP, WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 4878W {Inactive}
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4883W {Inactive}
[WI]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4887 - Thinking Strategically in International Politics
[MATH]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 5810 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 3833 - The United States and the Global Economy
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5833 {Inactive}
(3.0-4.0 cr)
·
POL 4885W - International Conflict and Security
[GP, WI]
(3.0 cr)
or
POL 5885 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
Additional Courses
Take 0 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
POL 3065 - Political Engagement Careers: Planning and Preparing For Your Future
[CIV]
(3.0 cr)
·
POL 4010 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
POL 3085 - Quantitative Analysis in Political Science
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
or
POL 3085H {Inactive}
[MATH]
(4.0 cr)
·
Faculty-Supervised
POL 3070 & POL 4970 do not count toward the minor.
Take at most 3 credit(s) from the following:
·
POL 3080 - Internship in Politics or Government
(3.0-13.0 cr)
|
|
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 1001/Pol 1001H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AmIn 1002/Pol 1019 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AmIn 1002/Pol 1019 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 1025/Pol 1025H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 18.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 3251/5251 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | LAS 4479/Pol 3479/Pol 5479 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 3481H/Pol 4481 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 3481H/Pol 4481 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | POL 4403W / POL 5403 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | POL 4403W / POL 5403 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even, Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4461W/5461 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4465/Pol 5465 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4465/Pol 5465 |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 3478W/Afro 5478/Pol 3478W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Afro 3478W/Afro 5478/Pol 3478W |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4492/Pol 5492 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4492/Pol 5492 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4308/Pol 5308 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 3309/Pol 4309/Pol 5309 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 15.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AmIn 3501/Pol 3701 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AmIn 3501/Pol 3701 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chic 3852/Pol 3752 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chic 3852/Pol 3752 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4767/5767 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4315W/Pol 5315 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4315W/Pol 5315 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AmIn 4501/Pol 4507 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AmIn 4525W/Pol 4525W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | AmIn 4525W/Pol 4525W |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4737/5737 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 6.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4887/Pol 5887 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 4885/Pol 5885 |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd, Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 -13.0 [max 15.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Pol 3080/Pol 3896 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |