Political Science Department

Requirements for the Major

  1. At least two empirical introductory courses:
    1. Introduction to Comparative Politics (220),
    2. Introduction to International Relations (240),
    3. Introduction to American Politics and Public Policy (260).
  2. At least one political theory course (280–298 or 380–415).
  3. Four additional units in political science.
  4. Subfield depth. Of the requirements listed above, students must take at least two courses in each of two subfields:
    1. Comparative Politics (220, 320–339, 420–439),
    2. International Relations (240, 340–359, 440–459),
    3. American Politics & Public Policy (260, 360–379, 460–469), or
    4. Political Theory (280–298, 380–415).
  5. Statistics: one of Political Science 311, Mathematics 141, Economics 311 or 312, Sociology 311, or Psychology 348. Students are strongly encouraged to complete this requirement in their sophomore year or first semester of their junior year.
  6. Junior Seminar.
  7. Political Science 470.
  8. Junior qualifying examination. Students may take the junior qualifying examination during either semester of the junior year, but must have completed both empirical introductory courses and at least one upper-level course before doing so. Specific requirements are stated on the department junior qualifying examination page.

Competence in a foreign language is strongly recommended for all majors, especially for those with interests in comparative politics and international relations.