Majors in Political Science must complete 10 courses for rite or 12 for honors
in courses offered or approved by the Department, including at least one introductory
course numbered 1 to 20 and at least one advanced seminar. In addition they must
fulfill a distribution requirement and complete a core concentration within Political
Science.
Introductory courses. Courses numbered 1 to 9 are introductory courses.
Because these courses are designed to introduce students to the study of politics,
the department recommends that they be taken in the first and second year. Students
may count a maximum of two introductory courses toward their major.
Advanced Seminars. Courses numbered 70 and above are advanced seminars.
Those courses have pre-requisites, limited enrollment, and a substantial writing
requirement.
Distribution Requirement. To fulfill the distribution requirement, majors
must take one course in at least three of the following areas: American government
and politics (AG); comparative politics (CP); gender and politics (GP); politics,
law, and public policy (LP); international relations (IR); and political theory
(PT). A course may be designated in a maximum of two subfields. Students may
count any course in only 1 subfield.
Core Concentration. Political Science majors shall also designate a
core concentration within the major. The core concentration shall consist of
a minimum of four courses organized around a theme chosen by the student in
consultation with the advisor. Students may count up to two courses from outside
the Political Science department. Ordinarily students shall designate a core
concentration by the end of the sophomore year or at the time of the declaration
of the major. Advisors will have the responsibility of certifying that graduating
students have completed their core concentration requirement.
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