Achieve your career and graduate school goals with the path that is best for you. Students majoring in Politics, Government, and Law have the option to concentrate in four fields.
International Relations
A student concentrating in international relations will study foreign affairs, the relationship between nations, and global political and economic systems. Students who study international relations develop expertise in foreign policy and diplomacy.
Students must complete five of the following courses. At least three of these courses must be at the 300 level or above.
- PS 220 American Constitutional Law
- PS 225 Politics of the Developing World
- PS 240 U.S. Foreign Policy
- PS 140 Introduction to International Relations
- PS 243 Introduction to Peace and Conflict Resolution
- PS 270 Introduction to Security Studies
- PS 281 Model United Nations
- PS 311 International Law
- PS 321 Global Governance and International Organizations
- PS 335 Politics of Russia and East Europe
- PS 370 International Human Rights
- PS 385 Special Topics in Political Science (by permission)
- IS 340 Law, Disorder and Globalization
Elective Course Requirement
Students must complete one 4-credit elective course offered in the Historical and Political Studies Department that will complement career goals or allow for intellectual exploration.
Cognate Course Requirement
- EC 210 Principles of Macroeconomics
(Note: Cognate course credits do not count toward major credit requirement)
Suggested Undergraduate Curriculum course
- MA 141 Elementary Statistics
Note: Courses completed abroad may satisfy major and concentration requirements with approval from the Politics, Government, & Law program director or department chairperson
Law and Public Policy
A student concentrating in law & public policy will study American and international legal theory, the process of crafting public policy, and the systems of government that enact public policy and law. This expertise will prepare students to seek employment in government, the non-profit sector, private-sector legal/government affairs, or attend graduate/law school.
Concentration Course Requirements:
- PL 175 Introduction to Ethics
- PS 220 American Constitutional Law
- PS 325 U.S. Public Policy
Students must complete three of the following courses. At least two of these courses must be at the 300 level or above:
- EC 216 Intermediate Microeconomics
- PS 218 Criminal Law and Procedures
- PS 240 U.S. Foreign Policy
- PS 255 Campaigns and Elections
- PS 260 F.D.R. to Obama: US Politics and Reform
- PS 265 Women in American Politics
- PS 311 International Law
- PS 320 Global Cities: Politics and Policy
- PS 340 The Judiciary
- PS 365 Transitional Justice and Reconciliation
- PS 370 International Human Rights
- PS 375 Constitutional Law II: The First Amendment
- PS 380 Political Internship
Elective Course Requirements:
Students must complete one 4-credit elective course offered in the Historical and Political Studies Department that will complement career goals or allow for intellectual exploration
Cognate Course Requirement:
- PL 155 Introduction to Logic (for those planning to attend law school)
- EC 211 Principles of Microeconomics
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(Note: Cognate course credit do not count toward major credit requirement)
Suggested Undergraduate Curriculum course:
- MA 141 Elementary Statistics
Note: Courses completed abroad may satisfy major and concentration requirements with approval from the Politics, Government, & Law program director or department chairperson.
Political Science
A student concentrating in political science will study a broad range of courses in the field of political science, including international relations, comparative politics, American politics, and political theory. This concentration is designed to offer a liberal arts approach to studying politics and public affairs. Students who study in the political science concentration develop a generalist’s understanding of politics and government, and will be prepared to pursue careers in secondary education, government, the non-profit sector, or attend graduate school to hone expertise.
Students must complete five Political Science electives. At least three of these courses must be at the 300 level or above. The Internship course (PS 380) may count toward the major but cannot count as a 300 level elective course. Courses completed abroad may satisfy major and concentration requirements with approval from the Politics, Government & Law program director or department chairperson.
