Political Science (BS)

 

Program of Study

Click on the Program Map tab to view a term-by-term guide for completing the program requirements.

Core Requirements

Area A Essential Skills
ENGL 1101English Composition I (minimum grade of C)3
ENGL 1102English Composition II (minimum grade of C)3
Select one of the following:3
Quantitative Skills and Reasoning
Introduction to Mathematical Modeling
College Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Applied Calculus
Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
Elementary Statistics
Area A Total9
Area B Institutional Options 1
B1: Select 3 hours of following courses:3
Public Speaking
Any Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002
B2: Select 1 or 2 hours of the following courses:1-2
Scholarship Across the Disciplines
Introduction to Servant Leadership
Perspectives 1-hour
Perspectives 2-hour
Area B Total4-5
Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics
Select one of the following humanities courses:3
World Literature I
World Literature II
Comparative Arts 2
The Western Intellectual Tradition
ITDS 1774 Introduction to Digital Humanities
Historical Perspectives on the Philosophy of Science and Mathematics
Introduction to Philosophy
Select one of the following fine arts courses:3
Art Appreciation
Comparative Arts 2
Music Appreciation
Theatre Appreciation
Introduction to the History of Art I– Prehistoric through Gothic
Introduction to the History of Art II– Renaissance through Modern
Area C Total6
Area D Science/Math/Technology 1
D1: Select two science courses from the following list. One science course must include a lab; the other science course may or may not include the lab:7-8
Human Origins (no lab)
Descriptive Astronomy: The Solar System
and Descriptive Astronomy Lab (lab optional)
Descriptive Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies
and Descriptive Astronomy Lab
Understanding the Weather
and Understanding the Weather Lab
Principles of Biology (lab included)
Contemporary Issues in Biology Non-Lab (no lab)
Contemporary Issues in Biology with Lab (lab included)
Survey of Chemistry I
and Survey of Chemistry I Lab
Survey of Chemistry II
and Survey of Chemistry II Lab
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry I Lab
Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry II Lab
Environmental Studies
and Environmental Studies Laboratory (lab optional)
Sustainability and the Environment
Natural Disasters: Our Hazardous Environment (no lab)
Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology
and Introductory Geoscience I: Physical Geology Lab
Introductory Geo-sciences II: Historical Geology
and Introductory Geo-sciences II: Historical Geology Lab
The Fossil Record (lab included)
Introductory Physics I
and Introductory Physics I Lab
Introductory Physics II
and Introductory Physics II Lab
Physics of Color and Sound
and Physics of Color and Sound Lab (lab optional)
Principles of Physics I
and Principles of Physics I Lab
Principles of Physics II
and Principles of Physics II Lab
D2: Select one of the following or a science course from above:3-4
Introduction to Computing Principles and Technology
Computer Science I
Introduction to Data Science
Introduction to the Geographic Information Systems
Pre-Calculus
Applied Calculus
Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
Computer-Assisted Problem Solving
Introduction to Discrete Mathematics
Formal Logic
Elementary Statistics
Area D Total10-11
Area E Social Sciences
HIST 2111U. S. History to 18653
or HIST 2112 U. S. History since 1865
POLS 1101American Government3
Select one of the following behavioral science courses:3
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Moral Philosophy
Introduction to General Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Select one of the following world culture courses:3
Cultural Anthropology
Discovering Archaeology
Ancient World Civilizations
Language and Culture
World Regional Geography
World History to 1500
World History since 1500
Introduction to International Studies and Cross-Cultural Learning
Understanding Non-Western Cultures
Area E Total12
Wellness Requirement
KINS 1106Lifetime Wellness2
or PHED 1205 Concepts of Fitness
Select one PEDS course1
Wellness Total3
Total Credit Hours45
1

Note: Students must complete Area B and Area D with a combined total of 15 credit hours within the following ranges. Any additional hours may be applied to Area F or beyond, depending on the program of study. Students should consult their advisors.

  • Area B1, 3 hours;
  • Area B2, 1-2 hours; 
  • Area D1, 7-8 hours;
  • Area D2, 3-4 hours. 
2

ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Major Requirements

Core Requirements
Complete the core requirements for this program45
Core Total45
Area F Courses Related to Major
Minimum grade of C is required in each POLS course
POLS 2101Introduction to Political Science3
POLS 2201State and Local Government3
POLS 2401Global Issues3
PHIL 2010Introduction to Philosophy3
Select two of the following:6
Cultural Anthropology
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
World Regional Geography
World History to 1500
World History since 1500
U. S. History to 1865
U. S. History since 1865
Introduction to General Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Foreign Language 1001/1002/2001/2002 (for 3-6 credits)
Critical Thinking
Moral Philosophy
Area F Total18
Area G Program Requirements
Minimum grade of C is required
POLS 4195Political Science Capstone3
POLS 3133Introduction to Political Theory3
POLS 3106Social Science Research 3
Select one of the following theory courses:3
Theories of Racism
Feminist Political Thought
American Political Thought
Contemporary Political Thought
Religion and Politics
Select one of the following American studies courses:3
The Presidency
The Legislative Process
Judicial Process
Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
Politics in Film
Select one of the following international relations/comparative courses:3
Comparative Politics
The Crisis of Modern Civilization
International Relations
International Law and Organizations
Public Policy and Administration
American Foreign Policy
Area G Total18
Area H Program Electives
Minimum grade of C is required
Select 21 hours of POLS courses at the 3000 level or higher not applied in Area G21
Area H Total21
Area I General Electives
Select 21 credits21
Area I Total21
Total Credit Hours123
 

Program Map

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredit Hours
ENGL 1101 English Composition I (minimum grade of C) 3
MATH 1001 Quantitative Skills and Reasoning (or higher) 3
Area CFine Arts 3
Area B2Institutional Options 1 2
POLS 1101 American Government (minimum grade of C) 3
Area B1COMM 1110 Public Speaking or foreign language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
AREA DLab Science (see the list) 4
ENGL 1102 English Composition II (minimum grade of C) 3
POLS 2101 Introduction to Political Science (minimum grade of C) 3
POLS 2201 State and Local Government (minimum grade of C) 3
POLS 2401 Global Issues (minimum grade of C) 3
 Credit Hours16
Second Year
Fall
AREA CHumanities 2 3
AREA DNon-Lab Science 3
HIST 2111
U. S. History to 1865
or U. S. History since 1865
3
PHIL 2010 Introduction to Philosophy 3
AREA WPEDS Physical Education 1
AREA DMath/Science/Tech elective (preferred class is STAT 1401 Elementary Statistics) 3
 Credit Hours16
Spring
AREA EBehavior Science 3
POLS 3106 Social Science Research (minimum grade of C) 3
POLS 3133 Introduction to Political Theory (minimum grade of C) 3
KINS 1106
Lifetime Wellness
or Concepts of Fitness
2
Area EWorld Cultures Course 3
 Credit Hours14
Third Year
Fall
Area GInternational Relations Course (C or better) 3
Area GTheory Course (minimum grade of C) 3
Area GAmerican Studies Coursed (C or better) 3
Area FArea F Elective 3
Area IArea I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
AREA HPOLS Elective (C or better) 2 3
AREA FArea F Elective 3
AREA HPOLS Elective (C or better) 2 3
AREA HPOLS Elective (C or better) 2 3
Area IArea I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level 3
 Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
AREA HPOLS Elective (C or better) 2 3
AREA HPOLS Elective (C or better) 2 3
AREA HPOLS Elective (C or better) 2 3
AREA HPOLS Elective (C or better) 2 3
Area IArea I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
Area IArea I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level 3
Area IArea I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level 3
Area IArea I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level 3
Area IArea I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level 3
POLS 4195 Political Science Capstone (C or better) 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours123
1

Area B2 (Institutional Options) includes ITDS 1779 Scholarship Across the Disciplines (2 cr), LEAD 1705 Introduction to Servant Leadership (2 cr), PERS 1506 Perspectives 1-hour (may be repeated with different topic), and PERS 1507 Perspective 2-hour.

2

Any POLS class listed but not applied already in Area G.

Additional Notes

This program map illustrates appropriate coursework for completing a degree within four years, provided that course grades allow for earned credit. Please consult with your advisor to determine when courses can be switched out with others and taken in a different semester or sequence than illustrated since not all courses are taught every semester.

  • This map is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute a legal contract on the part of CSU since degree requirements or course offerings could change. As always, check with your advisor.
  •  Students must complete "Area A " (ENGL 1101 English Composition I, ENGL 1102 English Composition II, and MATH 1113 Pre-Calculus or MATH 1131 Calculus with Analytic Geometry I) prior to reaching 30 hours and earn a "C" or higher in all three courses.
  • As of Fall 2013, all undergraduate students are required each semester to meet the 2.0 institutional GPA standard for satisfactory academic progress.

Admission Requirements

There are no program specific admission requirements.

Additional Program Requirements

There are no program specific academic regulations.

 

Program Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the discipline of political science in terms of its history, content, purpose and methodologies
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the sub-fields of political science (American politics, political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, political behavior/policy, and law)
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyze materials (e.g. data, texts), and to think critically
  • Demonstrate the effective ability to communicate orally
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing be prepared to achieve their personal goals with regard to intellectual and social skills be prepared to achieve their personal goals with regard to governmental employment, private employment, graduate and/or professional school