Political Science (B.A.)

Program: B.A.
Department of Political Science
College of Arts and Sciences

Classroom-Medical Building 209 ~ 260-481-6686 ~ www.ipfw.edu/pols

The student learning outcomes for the degree are as follows:

To have a basic and advanced knowledge of the discipline including major theories and approaches.
To have an appreciation of the significance of and commitment to the American republic
To have writing skills needed to communicate knowledge and ideas.
To have a knowledge and historical understanding of texts and authors that have shaped political thought, speech, and practice.
To be able to assess research and to determine its validity and to also be able to judge the appropriateness of the statistics used and of conclusions derived from such empirical research.
To gain an appreciation of the diversity of political practices and forms of government that exist and to be able to compare these systems and different approaches.
To have the knowledge of the international system and the political activities that occur within it.
To be prepared to work in the political system (either directly in government or with parties and other organizations that are effectively part of the system) or with groups that work in the political system enabling them to critically analyze situations and engage in problem solving.
To be prepared to be active and involved citizens in the local community, the nation, and beyond.
To be prepared for employment in areas directly drawing upon their knowledge of the subject matter, including government service and teaching.
To be prepared for graduate study in political science or related disciplines or for study at law school.
To have access to practical work experience through internships and practicums to gain practical work experience.
To instill in students the need to behave professionally, accept dissent collegiality, to respect diversity, and to maintain an ethical approach to their course of study, their work, their role as citizens, and life in general.

To earn the B.A. with a major in political science, you must fulfill the requirements of IPFW (see Part 7) and the College of Arts and Sciences (see Part 3), and complete the following courses:

IPFW General Education Requirements

Additional credits in Area III Credits: 3

Area IV—Humanistic Thought Credits: 6

See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses

Area V—Creative and Artistic Expression Credits: 3

See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses

Area VI—Inquiry and Analysis (not in POLS) Credits: 3

See Part 2 General Education Requirements for approved courses

College of Arts and Sciences Requirements

English Writing

POLS Y205 - Elements of Political Analysis Cr. 3.

Foreign Language

Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part B Credits: 14

Distribution (not in POLS)

Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part C Credits: 9

Cultural Studies

Requirements in Arts and Sciences Part D Credits: 6

Core and Concentration (Major) Courses

POLS Yxxx - additional POLS credits, 100 level or above Cr: 6.
POLS Yxxx - additional POLS credits, 200 level or above Cr: 15.

General Elective Courses

Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 124.

Total Credits: 124

Teacher Certification

You may be certified as a teacher of social studies after fulfilling all requirements for the B.A. with a major in political science and all requirements for teacher certification. Full information on teacher-certification requirements is available from the School of Education.

Prior to your junior year, the School of Education requires that you successfully complete EDUA F300, EDUC W200/M101, and EDUC K201 and the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) before admission to the teacher education program. The PRAXIS II Specialty Area Exam must be completed before or during the student-teaching semester, normally in your senior year.

Notes

Neither Y398 (Internship in Urban Institutions) nor Y482 (Practicum) may count for more than 6 credits for the major; these two courses together may not count for more than 9 credits for the major.