Political Science, BA

The BA program offers four major tracks, one general and three representing important sub fields of political science: American Politics/Public Law, Global Politics, and Public Administration. All four tracks are designed to prepare students for professional careers in the public or private sector, or graduate or professional study.

Federal, state and local governments are important employers of political science graduates. In the private sector, including nonprofits, the increasing interaction with government creates a growing demand for graduates with an understanding of political systems, domestically and internationally. Political Science, Law, and Public Administration are common graduate fields of study for our graduates.

Outcomes, Political Science, BA

Have a basic knowledge of the political institutions and processes of the government of the United States and foreign governments
Have a basic knowledge of the methods, approaches, or theories used in accumulating and interpreting information applicable to the discipline of Political Science [political analysis]
Have a basic knowledge of the dynamics of politics and power at work in the modern world
Think critically about and find rigorously defensible answers to political questions
Demonstrate the basic research skills necessary to write a paper in the discipline of Political Science
Be prepared for advanced degrees and/or employment in a Political Science profession

Departmental Honors

The Department of Political Science offers honors for students who have demonstrated high academic achievement. In order to be awarded departmental honors, a student must:

Have an overall CU GPA of 3.0 or better
Have a 3.5 or better in political science courses
EITHER enroll in P SC 450, in which students complete a major research paper; OR submit a major research paper prepared for another upper division political science course to a committee of the faculty of the department, and if the faculty deems the paper of sufficient merit, the student will be awarded honors.

The level of honors is dependent on completion these requirements, and the level of the departmental GPA. Students who meet these requirements and have a political science GPA of between 3.5 and 3.69 will received Distinction, those whose political science GPA is between 3.7 and 3.89 are eligible for High Distinction, and those with a political science GPA equal to 3.9 or above are eligible for Highest Distinction.

Internships

The department encourages all students to consider enrolling for an internship during their tenure at the university. Internships provide students “hands on” experience in the public sector, giving students a greater appreciation for the complexity of politics and policy making and of the legal system.

The department places students in three kinds of internships: prelaw (P SC 948); legislative, with U.S. or Colorado legislators (P SC 348); and public agency internships in governmental or nonprofit agencies (P SC 398).

Students may earn up to six credits in P SC 348 or 398; the prelaw internship (P SC 948) may earn up to three hours of credit. Interested students should see Professor Null.

Degree Requirements

a minimum of 36 semester hours in the discipline, of which 30 hours must be with a grade of C or better. At least 21 hours must be in upper-division courses.

BA Degree Tracks and Course Requirements

General Track

Students majoring in the general track are required to take:

P SC 101 - Introduction to Global Politics
and
P SC 110 - The American Political System
or equivalent lower-division courses with the approval of the department chair;
P SC 250 - Introduction to Political Inquiry
and either
P SC 442 - Political Ideas
P SC 445 - American Political Thought
Students should plan to complete P SC 101, 110 and 250 prior to taking upper-division courses. In addition, students should plan to take at least one upper division course from each sub field (American Political Institutions and Behavior, Global Politics, and Public Administration, Policy and Law).

American Politics/Public Law Track

Students majoring in the American Politics/Public Law track are required to take:

P SC 101 - Introduction to Global Politics
P SC 110 - The American Political System
and
P SC 210 - Politics and Policy in State and Local Communities
and 210 or equivalent lower-division courses with the approval of the department chair;
P SC 250 - Introduction to Political Inquiry
and either
P SC 442 - Political Ideas
or
P SC 445 - American Political Thought
P SC 447 - Introduction to Constitutional Law
and
P SC 450 - Senior Research Seminar
or an approved equilivalent.
Students should plan to complete P SC 101, 110, 210 and 250 prior to taking upper-division courses. In addition, students in this track must complete three additional courses from among those listed under American Political Institutions and Behavior
or Public Administration, Policy and Law.

Global Politics Track

Students majoring in the Global Politics track are required to take:

P SC 101 - Introduction to Global Politics
and
P SC 110 - The American Political System
or equivalent lower-division courses with the approval of the department chair;
P SC 250 - Introduction to Political Inquiry
P SC 421 - International Politics
P SC 422 - Comparative Politics
P SC 442 - Political Ideas
Students should plan to complete P SC 101, 110 and 250 prior to taking upper-division courses. In addition, students in this track must complete three additional courses from those listed under Global Politics.

Public Administration

Students majoring in the Public Administration track are required to take:

P SC 110 - The American Political System
and
P SC 210 - Politics and Policy in State and Local Communities
or equilivalent lower-division courses with the approval of the department of chair;
P SC 250 - Introduction to Political Inquiry
P SC 432 - Public Administration
P SC 445 - American Political Thought
P SC 446 - Administrative Law
Students should plan to complete P SC 110, 210, and 250 prior to taking upper-division courses. Students in this track must complete three additional courses from among those listed under Public Administration, Policy and Law.