Requirements for a Major

Coursework
Majors in Political Science are required to take 9 courses (and may take as many as 11) distributed as follows:

Introductory courses in each of the four areas offered in the department:

• Political Science 111 — Survey of American Politics (offered in the fall)
• Political Science 122 — Survey of Comparative Politics (offered in the spring)
• Political Science 231 — Survey of Political Theory (offered in the fall)
• Political Science 242 — Survey of International Politics (a spring semester course)
  

These courses should be taken in the first two years. They may be taken in any order, but the department strongly suggests that, when possible, students take them in the order listed above.

• Two advanced courses in one of the four areas above.
• Political Science 497 — Senior Seminar in Political Science (offered in the fall). As part of the requirements for this course students will write a paper in their chosen area of specialization.
• At least two additional Political Science courses.

Comprehensive Examinations
In political science, the comprehensive examination consists of six hours of written work spread over two mornings. On the first day students write for three hours on a question in their area of specialization. The first day's exam questions will be chosen by the faculty from three questions in each area given to the student in November. The first day's exam emphasizes the ability to synthesize and integrate material from a number of political science courses and bring this background to bear on a specific issue.

The second day's exam includes several components:

• identification questions on the area of specialization
• a reading passage and data to analyze
• essay questions from areas other than the area of specialization

The second day's essays are more closely related to work done in individual courses.

Political science does not require an oral examination in addition to the oral examination required by the college.

Collateral Requirements
Political Science majors are also required to take:

• Economics 101 — Principles of Economics (fall or spring) 
• History 102 World History since 1500 — World History since 1500 (spring)
• History 141 — America to 1877 (fall) or History 142 — America since 1877 (spring)

Since these courses provide important background material that will enhance the students' understanding of political science as a major field, they are strongly encouraged to complete them during their first two years of study. Students are also strongly encouraged to take a statistics course.

Requirements for a Minor

Minors in Political Science are required to take three of the four introductory courses listed above in the Requirements for a Major and two advanced courses in one of those areas, and either an advanced course in a second area or PSC 261.