Political Science, major

Owned by Jenni Piper
Last updated: Apr 08, 2024 by Amber Tobey
2 min read

Contact: Ji Eun Kim
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Semester Hours: 47
Core Intensives: Fulfills all Core intensives.

This major requires 47 SH including a WCSC term which also fulfills the EMU Core requirement for intercultural learning, thus requiring only 37 SH beyond the WCSC term.

Required Courses (47 SH)

  • PHIL 201 Introduction to Philosophy (3) 

  • POL 111 Comparative Politics (2) 

  • POL 112 American Politics (2) 

  • POL 113 International Relations (2) 

  • SOC 336 Methods of Social Research (3) 

  • SSC 490 Social Sciences Capstone (2) 

  • STAT 120 Descriptive Statistics (2) 

  • Choose among the following courses to equal at least 10 SH (with a semester WCSC term) or 12 SH (with a summer WCSC term). Two courses must be 300 or 400 level:

    • *POL 220 U.S. Foreign Policy (3) 

    • *POL 230 International Norms and Institutions (3) 

    • *POL 250 Law, Justice and the Local Context (3) 

    • *PPX 371 Peace and Security in East Asia (3) 

    • *PPX 401 Human Rights and Dignity (4) 

    • *PPX 405-409 Topics in Politics and Peace Studies (3-4)

    • *PPX 421 Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention (4) 

    • *PPX 431 Political Reconciliation (4) 

    • *PXD 365 Social and Political Economy (3) 

  • Choose two of the following courses (in conjunction with a semester WCSC term) or three (in conjunction with a summer WCSC term). One course must be upper level:

    • ECON 201 Survey of Economics (3) 

    • *ECON 311 Contemporary Economic Issues (3) 

    • *HIST 222 African American History (3) OR *HIST 411 The History of Recent America (4) 

    • *HIST 251 History of Africa (3) 

    • *HIST 391 The Birth of Modernity in Europe (3) OR *HIST 461 Modern Europe (3)

    • *HIST 432 History of the Middle East (3) 

    • LEAD 300 Leadership Theory and Practice (3) 

    • *PHIL 412 Philosophy of Religion (3) 

    • *PXD 335 Understanding Violent Conflict (3) 

    • PXD 485 Global Development (3) 

    • *REL 201 Introduction to Religious Studies (3)

    • *SOC 255 Social Movements (3) 

    • SOWK 330 Social Policy Analysis (3) 

    • SOWK 360 Race and Gender (3) 

    • *THEO 412 Liberation Theologies (3) OR THEO 323 Biblical Theology of Peace and Justice (3) 

* indicates the course is offered in alternate years

Washington Community Scholars' Center (10-15 SH) 
Political science majors must complete a semester (15 SH) or summer (10 SH) in the WCSC program.  Students choosing a summer WCSC term will take two additional courses from the above lists to fulfill the 47 SH requirement.  Students are highly encouraged to complete an international intercultural experience as well, especially if they are interested in transnational or international political issues.