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

Four introductory courses:

• Political Science 111 — Survey of American Politics
• Political Science 122 — Survey of Comparative Politics
• Political Science 231 — Survey of Political Theory (a fall semester course)
• 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 PSC 111 and PSC 122 before taking PSC 231 and 242.  Students may begin with either PSC 111 or 122.

• Two advanced courses in one area of specialization chosen from the four areas above.  Students will be examined over this area on the first day of senior comprehensive examinations.
• PSC 497 — Senior Seminar in Political Science (a fall semester course).  Students will write seminar papers for this course in the area in which they have elected to  specialize (see above).
• At least two additional Political Science courses.

Note:  Students may count either Philosophy 213 (Philosophy of Law) or a departmentally approved offering listed under Philosophy 219 (Topic in Ethics and Social Philosophy) toward the major or minor in Political Science.  No more than one course credit in Philosophy may be counted toward the Political Science major or minor.

The Senior Comprehensive Examination consists of six hours of written examinations administered over two days. The first day's exam questions will be available in advance and will require a student to analyze and synthesize material in his area of specialization within political science.  The second day's examination requires the student to write shorter essays in two other areas of the discipline.  In addition, the second day's examination may ask for some short answers in the area of specialization as well as an analysis of political data.  The student must also pass the College's oral examination.

Collateral Requirements:  Political Science majors are also required to take Economics 101 and History 102.  Since these courses provide important background material that will enhance the student's understanding of political science as a major field, he is strongly encouraged to complete them during their first two years of study. Students are strongly encouraged to take statistics or PSC 261 during their sophomore year.

Requirements for a Minor:  Minors in Political Science are required to take two of the four survey  courses listed above, two advanced courses in one of those two areas, and either an advanced course in a second area in which a survey course was taken or PSC 261.

An Area of Concentration and High School Teaching licensure in this discipline is awarded by the Teacher Education Program.  For licensure information, please see the Indiana Teacher Licensing Requirements for Adolescent and Young Adult License section.  For information on this specific discipline, see the Content Area Course Requirements for Teaching at the Adolescent and Young Adult Licensure Level section.