Political Science (B.A.)

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

Liberal Arts Building 209 ~ 260-481-6686

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Political Science is the study of how power, in its many forms, is used to organize human social relations. Our courses analyze how government and politics work at all levels of society, from the national, state, and local to the international. They also explore, in a rigorous and non-partisan way, the ethical dimensions of political debates.

Students who study Political Science not only become better-informed citizens; they also develop expertise in oral argument, written analysis, and critical thinking, all of which are in high demand from public- and private-sector employers in government, politics, law, education, business, and not-for-profit organizations. Our graduates have an outstanding record of success in gaining admission to top graduate schools and law schools, winning major national scholarships, and achieving leadership success in many professional fields.

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Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this degree, students will:

• Demonstrate the ability to:
  • Communicate and write clearly and effectively
  • Use quantitative and qualitative analytical skills in appropriate situations
  • Analyze social and political issues with cutting-edge problem solving skills
  • Lead and engage others ethically and professionally with personal integrity, academic and professional honesty, respect for diversity, and civil deliberation, dissent, and discourse
• Be prepared for:
  • Careers in public and private sectors, especially in the fields of government, politics, law, and public service (for a detailed account, see the latest edition of the American Political Science Association’s Careers and the Study of Political Science)
  • Graduate study/law school
  • Active and engaged leadership and citizenship in one’s community, the nation, and beyond
• In the discipline, students will identify basic and explain advanced key terms and concepts in the major fields of the discipline:
  • Political Thought and Philosophy
  • American Government and Politics
  • Comparative Government
  • International Relations

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Program Delivery:

• This program is available on-campus

Declaring this Major:

• Declare this major within the Department of Political Science  

General Requirements:

• Degree Requirements  
• General Education Requirements  
• College Requirements  
• Overlapping Content  
• Academic Regulations  

Program Requirements:

• A grade of C- or higher in all department courses required for the major and an overall GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required in the major.
• No more than 9 credits taken at the 100xx level will count toward the major requirements.
• Credit will not be given for both POL 20001 and POL 40101 courses with the same topic.
• Neither POL 39800 or POL 48200 may count for more than 6 credits toward the major requirements.
• Together POL 39800 and POL 48200 may not count for more than 9 credits toward the major requirements.

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To earn the B.A. with a major in Political Science, you must fulfill the following requirements in addition to the General Requirements noted above: