Political Science Major
Political Scientists study power and how it operates at different levels – among individuals, within and between institutions and individuals, and between countries, international organizations, corporations, societal groups, and individuals in the international arena. Our department hopes students will connect the classroom with the wider issues in global, national, and local politics by attending our many events, trips, and study tours and participating in internships.
Goal 1: Learn Fundamental Knowledge: Students will gain foundational knowledge in the major sub-fields of political science and understand the content, core concepts, and theories within each sub-field.
Outcome 1.1: Students will identify, define, or analyze the content, core concepts, and theories within the sub-fields.
Goal 2: Think and Make Arguments: Students will think critically and develop arguments based on evidence.
Outcome 2.1 Students will articulate verbally or in writing an argument which defines, analyzes, or synthesizes relevant theories and concepts.
Outcome 2.2 Students will apply relevant theoretical concepts to assess real world issues.
Goal 3: Think and Apply their Skills to Analysis: Students will evaluate arguments based on empirical evidence and assertions rooted in the discipline.
Outcome 3.1 Students will apply a variety of tools, methods, and perspectives to investigate and interpret issues relevant to the discipline.
Goal 4: Apply their Skills to the “Real World”: Students will be prepared for entry into professional careers, graduate schools, and other avenues related to Political Science as a discipline.
Outcome 4.1 Students will demonstrate career preparation through experiential learning opportunities that are closely related to Political Science or a related field through the development of interpersonal, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
The traditional undergraduate programs includes a minimum of 120 credits distributed across three components: A General Education component divided into Signature Courses, Variable Courses, and an Integrative Learning requirement; a Major and Divisional component; and Free Electives. In addition to course requirements as specified in each area, students must complete one certified course in each of the following overlay areas1:
- Diversity, Globalization or Non-western Area Studies,
- Ethics Intensive
- Writing Intensive, and
- Diversity
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Overlay requirements are part of the 120 credit requirements
General Education Signature Courses
See this page about Signature courses.
General Education Variable Courses
See this page about Variable courses. Six to Nine courses
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | ||
| POL 111 | Intro to American Politics | 3 |
General Education Overlays
General Education Integrative Learning Component
See this page about Integrative Learning Component. Three courses:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ECN 101 | Introductory Economics Micro | 3 |
| or ECN 102 | Introductory Economics Macro | |
| Any upper division History Course (200-499) | 3 | |
| Any upper division ECN, ENG, HIS, PHL, PSY, SOC or continuing Non-Native Language course beyond the GEP requirements | 3 | |
GEP Electives
At least nine courses.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One Additional Introductory Course (see POL 111 under GEP Variable Courses): | ||
| POL 113 | Intro to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| or POL 115 | Intro to Global Politics | |
| or POL 117 | Intro to Political Thought | |
| Professional Development | ||
| POL 190 | Strategies for Success 7 | 1 |
| POL 290 | Career Prep Seminar 6 | 1 |
| Lower and Upper Division Courses | ||
| Select any two POL courses numbered 100-499 | 6 | |
| Select seven POL courses numbered 300-499 1, 2, 3 | 21 | |
| Experiential Learning Course | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Washington Internship I | ||
| Washington Internship II | ||
| International Internship I | ||
| International Internship II | ||
| Global Smarts Internship | ||
| Philadelphia-Area Internship | ||
OR any Service Learning course (with SLR attribute) | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| Select one POL Capstone course from among 400-409 4, 5 | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 38 | |
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POLs 270s count, but only twice.
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POL majors who double-major in IR may not count more than three (3) upper division courses towards either degree requirement.
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For classes of 2023 and beyond, POL majors may only count 2 study abroad courses towards their degree requirements.
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POL majors who double-major in IR must complete a second Senior Capstone Course to fulfill the IR major requirements. In addition, Capstone Courses do not count towards the Upper Division Course requirements for either major.
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The Department strongly recommends that all students take the appropriate introductory course prior to enrolling in a Capstone Course.
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P/NP requirement for all classes 2024 and beyond.
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P/NP requirement for all classes 2026 and beyond.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| POL 111 | Intro to American Politics | 3 |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| Non-Native Language I | 3 | |
| HIS 154 | Forging the Modern World (or First Year Seminar) | 3 |
| PHL 154 or THE 154 |
Moral Foundations or Catholic Theological Tradition |
3 |
| POL 190 | Strategies for Success | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL 113 |
Intro to Comparative Politics or Intro to Global Politics or Intro to Political Thought |
3 |
| ENG 102 | Texts & Contexts | 3 |
| Non-Native Language II | 3 | |
| First Year Seminar or HIS 154 | 3 | |
| THE 154 or PHL 154 |
Catholic Theological Tradition or Moral Foundations |
3 |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| Any POL 100-300 Level | 3 | |
| Math Beauty | 3 | |
| ECN 101 or ECN 102 |
Introductory Economics Micro (or POL Upper Division Elective) or Introductory Economics Macro |
3 |
| PHL Anthropology or THE Religious Diff | 3 | |
| Free Elective or Art/Lit | 3 | |
| POL 290 | Career Prep Seminar | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Any POL 100-300 Level | 3 | |
| History Course ILC | 3 | |
| POL Upper Division Elective or ECN 101 or 102 | 3 | |
| THE Religious Diff. or PHL Anthropology | 3 | |
| Art/Lit or Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| POL Experiential Learning Course | 3 | |
| Faith & Reason or Natural Science 1 | 3 | |
| Individual Choice ILC | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL Upper Division Elective | 6 | |
| Natural Science or Faith & Reason | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL Upper Division Elective | 6 | |
| Natural Science 2 (non-lab) or Free Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 6 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL 402 |
Capstone: Contenious Pol in US or Capstone: Nations&Nationalism or Capstone: Revolts&Revolutions or Capstone: Pol of Labor & Work or Capstone: Theories of Justice or Capstone: The Armed Citizen? or Global Migration |
3 |
| POL Upper Division Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 9 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 123 | |
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Note that the number of free electives may vary depending on AP credits awarded, the natural science option completed (one lab course vs. two non-lab courses), and number of courses completed for the non-native language requirement
University Honors Requirements
To receive University Honors credit, an Honors Program student who is a Political Science major must have a 3.5 GPA; complete the Honors curriculum of 8 specified courses; and must undertake two consecutive semesters of research/study in the form of a senior thesis with a faculty mentor, OR engage in honors-level work in two POL courses/capstone during their senior year. These two courses may be counted toward the student's total upper division POL courses/capstone, and one semester of the thesis can replace the Capstone Course requirement. Specific requirements for the Honors thesis may be found under the Honors Program.