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Bachelor of Arts in Political Science - Columbus State University

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Academics

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Program Description

A political science degree is a pathway to law school, graduate school, or employment with government agencies or private sector organizations. While not specific undergraduate major is required for for law school, the political science program addresses the communication skills, critical understanding of institutions, behaviors and values, and analytical thinking for the study of law.

Philosophy can be described as thinking about thinking. Plato in the Apology, has Socrates say "an unexamined life is not worthy of a human being." In essence the philosopher must examine both on which beliefs we act and how we come to form our belief. This discipline is a perfect complement to political science study.

Career Opportunities

  • Teaching
  • Government Service
  • Legal Career
  • Public Policy
  • Public Relations

Admission Requirements

There are no program specific admission requirements.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the discipline of political science in terms of its history, content, purpose and methodologies
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the sub-fields of political science (American politics, political theory, comparative politics, international relations, public administration, political behavior/policy, and law)
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyze materials (e.g. data, texts), and to think critically
  • Demonstrate the effective ability to communicate orally
  • Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in writing be prepared to achieve their personal goals with regard to intellectual and social skills be prepared to achieve their personal goals with regard to governmental employment, private employment, graduate and/or professional school

Additional Program Requirements

There are no program specific academic regulations.

Program of Study

Area A Essential Skills Required Hours: 9
ENGL 1101 (with a grade of "C" or better)
ENGL 1102 (with a grade of "C" or better)
Select one of the following courses:

MATH 1001
MATH 1101
MATH 1111
MATH 1113
MATH 1125
MATH 1131

Area B Institutional Options Required Hours: 4-5
COMM 1110
Select two of the following courses:

ITDS 1125
ITDS 1779
ITDS 2726
ITDS 2727
ITDS 2735
ITDS 2746
ITDS 2748
ITDS 2749
ITDS 2755
OR
Select one of the following courses:
EURO 2105
INTS 2105
LEAD 1705
LIBR 1105
POLS 2401
HIST 1111
HIST 1112
Foreign Language 1001, 1002, 2001, or 2002
Any Area C-E course with a study abroad component.

Note: the extra hour may be used as an elective.

Area C Humanities/Fine Arts/Ethics Required Hours: 6
Select one of the following humanities courses:

ENGL 2111
ENGL 2112
ITDS 1145*
ITDS 1155
ITDS 2125
PHIL 2010
Select one of the following fine arts courses:
ARTH 1100
ITDS 1145*
MUSC 1100
THEA 1100
*ITDS 1145, though listed under both humanities and fine arts, may be taken only once.

Area D Science/Math/Technology Required Hours: 10-11
Select two science courses from the list below, one of which must include a lab.

ANTH 1145 (no lab)
ASTR 1105/1305 (lab optional)
ASTR 1106/1305
ATSC 1112/1112L
BIOL 1215K (lab included)
BIOL 1125 (no lab)
BIOL 1225K (lab included)
CHEM 1151/1151L
CHEM 1152/1152L
CHEM 1211/1211L
CHEM 1212/1212L
ENVS 1105/1105L (lab optional)
ENVS 1205K
GEOL 1110 (no lab)
GEOL 1121/1121L
GEOL 1122/1322
GEOL 2225 (lab included)
PHYS 1111/1311
PHYS 1112/1312
PHYS 1125/1325 (lab optional)
PHYS 2211/2311
PHYS 2212/2312

Select one of the following courses or a science course from above:

CPSC 1105
CPSC 1301/1301L
GEOG 2215
MATH 1113
MATH 1125
MATH 1131
MATH 1132
MATH 1165
MATH 2125
PHIL 2500
STAT 1127

Area E Social Sciences Required Hours: 12
Select one course from the following two courses:
HIST 2111
HIST 2112
Take the following course:
POLS 1101
Select one behavioral science course from the following courses:

ECON 2105
ECON 2106
PHIL 2030
PSYC 1101
SOCI 1101

Select one world cultures course from the following courses:

ANTH 1105
ANTH 1107
ANTH 2105
ANTH 2136
ENGL 2136
GEOG 1101
HIST 1111
HIST 1112
INTS 2105
ITDS 1156

Wellness Requirement Required Hours: 3

PHED 1205
Select any one PEDS course.

Area F Courses Related to Major Required Hours: 18
Foreign Language 1002
Foreign Language 2001
PHIL 2020 Critical Thinking
STAT 1127 Introductory Statistics
Select two 1000/2000-level courses from the following group, no more than one from each discipline:
ECON/GEOG/HIST/PHIL/PSYC/SOCI

Area G Required Hours: 30
("C" or better required in each course)

POLS 2101 Introduction to Political Science
POLS 2201 State and Local Government
POLS 3115 Methods of Political Analysis
Select two of the following theory courses:
POLS 3116 Theories of Racism
POLS 3133 Intro Political Theory
POLS 3134 Feminist Political Thought
POLS 3137 American Political Thought
POLS 3138 Contemporary Political Thought
POLS 3139 Asian Political Thought
Select two of the following American studies courses:
POLS 3127 The Presidency
POLS 3128 The Legislative Process
POLS 3129 Judicial Process
POLS 3148 Religion and Politics
POLS 3161 American Constitutional Law
POLS 3165 Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
POLS 3195 River Politics
POLS 3256 Politics in Film
Take the following comparative government course:
POLS 3141 Comparative Politics (maybe taken a maximum of three times for credit)
Select one of the following international relations courses:
POLS 4155 International Relations
POLS 4166 International Law and Organizations
POLS 4176 American Foreign Policy
POLS 4177 American Defense Policy
POLS 4178 U.S. Foreign Policy in East Asia
Choose one of the following Public Policy/Public Administration courses:
POLS 3185 Public Administration
POLS 4175 Public Policy

Area H Required Hours: 21
("C" or better required in each course)
Select 21 hours from the following:
Any POLS courses listed but not applied in Area G

POLS 2305 Workshop in International Organizations
POLS 2401 Global Issues
POLS 2555 Selected Topics in Politics
POLS 3117 Conflict Resolution
POLS 3155 Law School: Methods and Tactics
POLS 3555 Selected Topics in Political Science
POLS 4698 Internships
POLS 4899 Directed Study (may not substitute for any required POLS course)

Area I Required Hours: 9
Non-POLS electives, 1000-4000 level.

Total Hours Required: 123

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