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
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Area A Essential Skills | ||
| ENGL 1101 | English Composition I (minimum grade of C) | 3 |
| ENGL 1102 | English 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 Total | 9 | |
| 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 Total | 4-5 | |
| 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 Total | 6 | |
| 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 Total | 10-11 | |
| Area E Social Sciences | ||
| HIST 2111 | U. S. History to 1865 | 3 |
| or HIST 2112 | U. S. History since 1865 | |
| POLS 1101 | American Government | 3 |
| 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 Total | 12 | |
| Wellness Requirement | ||
| KINS 1106 | Lifetime Wellness | 2 |
| or PHED 1205 | Concepts of Fitness | |
| Select one PEDS course | 1 | |
| Wellness Total | 3 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
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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.
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ITDS 1145 Comparative Arts, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core Requirements | ||
| Complete the core requirements for this program | 45 | |
| Core Total | 45 | |
| Area F Courses Related to Major | ||
| Minimum grade of C is required in each POLS course | ||
| POLS 2101 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 |
| POLS 2201 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| POLS 2401 | Global Issues | 3 |
| PHIL 2010 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| 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 Total | 18 | |
| Area G Program Requirements | ||
| Minimum grade of C is required | ||
| POLS 4195 | Political Science Capstone | 3 |
| POLS 3133 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| POLS 3106 | Social 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 Total | 18 | |
| 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 G | 21 | |
| Area H Total | 21 | |
| Area I General Electives | ||
| Select 21 credits | 21 | |
| Area I Total | 21 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
Program Map
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1101 | English Composition I (minimum grade of C) | 3 |
| MATH 1001 | Quantitative Skills and Reasoning (or higher) | 3 |
| Area C | Fine Arts | 3 |
| Area B2 | Institutional Options 1 | 2 |
| POLS 1101 | American Government (minimum grade of C) | 3 |
| Area B1 | COMM 1110 Public Speaking or foreign language 1001, 1002, 2001, 2002 | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| AREA D | Lab 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 Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| AREA C | Humanities 2 | 3 |
| AREA D | Non-Lab Science | 3 |
| HIST 2111 or HIST 2112 |
U. S. History to 1865 or U. S. History since 1865 |
3 |
| PHIL 2010 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| AREA W | PEDS Physical Education | 1 |
| AREA D | Math/Science/Tech elective (preferred class is STAT 1401 Elementary Statistics) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| AREA E | Behavior 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 or PHED 1205 |
Lifetime Wellness or Concepts of Fitness |
2 |
| Area E | World Cultures Course | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Area G | International Relations Course (C or better) | 3 |
| Area G | Theory Course (minimum grade of C) | 3 |
| Area G | American Studies Coursed (C or better) | 3 |
| Area F | Area F Elective | 3 |
| Area I | Area I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| AREA H | POLS Elective (C or better) 2 | 3 |
| AREA F | Area F Elective | 3 |
| AREA H | POLS Elective (C or better) 2 | 3 |
| AREA H | POLS Elective (C or better) 2 | 3 |
| Area I | Area I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| AREA H | POLS Elective (C or better) 2 | 3 |
| AREA H | POLS Elective (C or better) 2 | 3 |
| AREA H | POLS Elective (C or better) 2 | 3 |
| AREA H | POLS Elective (C or better) 2 | 3 |
| Area I | Area I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Area I | Area I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level | 3 |
| Area I | Area I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level | 3 |
| Area I | Area I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level | 3 |
| Area I | Area I Elective Non-POLS 1000-4000 level | 3 |
| POLS 4195 | Political Science Capstone (C or better) | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 123 | |
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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.
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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