Political Science, Bachelor of Arts
Department website: https://www.atu.edu/history
In addition to Political Science coursework, this major requires interdisciplinary studies in the areas of Sociology, Geography, Psychology, and Economics through course electives. This program is designated as a recommended option for those Pre-Law students intending to apply for law school after completion of their undergraduate degree.
Freshman | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | |
ENGL 1013 | Composition I 1 | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
General Psychology | ||
Introductory Sociology | ||
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Regional Geography of the World | ||
World History to 1500 | ||
World History since 1500 | ||
MATH XXXX | Mathematics 1 | 3 |
TECH 1001 | Orientation to the University | 1 |
Elective | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
ENGL 1023 | Composition II 1 | 3 |
HIST 2003 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
POLS 2003 | American Government | 3 |
SCIL 1XXX | Science with Laboratory 1 | 4 |
Elective 2 | 3 | |
Hours | 16 | |
Sophomore | ||
Fall | ||
Beginning Language I 3 | 3 | |
HIST 2013 | United States History since 1877 | 3 |
POLS 2253 | Survey of Western Political Thought | 3 |
POLS 2513 | Research Design | 3 |
SCIL 1XXX | Science with Laboratory 1 | 4 |
Hours | 16 | |
Spring | ||
Beginning Language II 3 | 3 | |
POLS Elective 4 | 6 | |
Elective 2 | 6 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Junior | ||
Fall | ||
POLS 2403 | Comparative Government | 3 |
POLS Elective 4 | 3 | |
Elective 2 | 9 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
POLS 2413 or POLS 2153 |
International Relations or Introduction to Strategic Studies |
3 |
POLS Elective 4 | 3 | |
Elective 2 | 9 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Senior | ||
Fall | ||
POLS Elective 4,5 | 9 | |
Elective 2,5 | 6 | |
Hours | 15 | |
Spring | ||
POLS 4963 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
Elective 2,5 | 9 | |
Hours | 12 | |
Total Hours | 120 |
- 1
See appropriate alternatives or substitutions in "General Education Requirements."
- 2
At least 40 of the total hours required for graduation must be 3000 - 4000 level courses.
- 3
Must be in one language. Students may waive three hours of language requirement for every one year of language study in high school with grades of "C" or better.
- 4
Majors are also required to take 21 additional elective credits in political science, 18 of which are upper level political courses. It is recommended students pursue one of the six career tracks below based on the types of jobs that are most appealing to them:
Law School Track
Public Policy/Administration Track
International Relations/Studies Track
Strategic Studies Track
American Politics, Campaigns & Elections Track
Political Science Graduate School Track- 5
This program partners the Political Science undergraduate degree with the Master of Science (MS) Emergency Management and Homeland Security degree. Students can substitute EMHS 6063 Principles of Emergency Management, EMHS 6103 Research Design and Methods, EMHS 6093 Principles of Homeland Security, and/or approved EMHS Electives for POLS electives or general electives.
Program Recommendations
It is recommended students pursue one of the six career tracks below based on the types of jobs that are most appealing to them. It is also recommended students work with their advisor to do an internship within their track to give them first-hand experience in a career in their track.
Law School Track
Recommended for students interested in earning their Juris Doctorate in law. It is recommended students pursuing this track take at least 18 of their 21 political science credits from the following list of courses:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLS 3023 | Judicial Process | 3 |
POLS 3043 | Judicial Politics | 3 |
POLS 3063 | Modern Political Thought | 3 |
POLS 3253 | Classical Political Thought | 3 |
POLS 4043 | American Constitutional Law | 3 |
POLS 4973 | Internship | 3 |
POLS 4983 | Political Science Seminar | 3 |
Public Policy/Administration Track
Recommended for students interested in political careers in bureaucratic agencies at the local, state or federal level of government, as well as non-profit organizations that lobby government. It is recommended students pursuing this track take at least 18 of their 21 political science credits from the following list of courses:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLS 3033 | American State and Local Government | 3 |
POLS 3043 | Judicial Politics | 3 |
POLS 3053 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
POLS 3083 | Political Parties and Interest Groups | 3 |
POLS 3143 | The United States Presidency | 3 |
POLS 4973 | Internship | 3 |
POLS 4983 | Political Science Seminar | 3 |
International Relations/Studies Track
Recommended for students interested in careers with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) like the Red Cross, Amnesty International, etc.; political careers working for or with organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), etc.; or diplomatic careers. It is recommended students pursuing this track take at least 18 of their 21 political science credits from the following list of courses:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLS 3063 | Modern Political Thought | 3 |
POLS 3423 | Problems in International Affairs | 3 |
POLS 3433 | United Nations | 3 |
POLS 3473 | National Security Policy | 3 |
POLS 4973 | Internship | 3 |
POLS 4983 | Political Science Seminar | 3 |
Strategic Studies Track
Recommended for students interested in military studies and careers. These courses are very popular with students pursuing an ROTC program. It is recommended students pursuing this track take at least 18 of their 21 political science credits from the following list of courses:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLS 2153 | Introduction to Strategic Studies | 3 |
POLS 3013 | Recent American Foreign and Military Policy | 3 |
POLS 3063 | Modern Political Thought | 3 |
POLS 3423 | Problems in International Affairs | 3 |
POLS 3433 | United Nations | 3 |
POLS 3473 | National Security Policy | 3 |
POLS 4973 | Internship | 3 |
POLS 4983 | Political Science Seminar | 3 |
American Politics, Campaigns & Elections Track
Recommended for students interested in careers working on political campaigns, for political parties, for interest groups, or in any of the branches of government at the local, state and federal level. It is recommended students pursuing this track take at least 18 of their 21 political science credits from the following list of courses:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLS 3033 | American State and Local Government | 3 |
POLS 3083 | Political Parties and Interest Groups | 3 |
POLS 3123 | American Political Behavior | 3 |
POLS 3133 | United States Congress | 3 |
POLS 3143 | The United States Presidency | 3 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Research Methods | ||
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | ||
Applied Statistics | ||
POLS 4976 | Internship | 6 |
POLS 4983 | Political Science Seminar | 3 |
Political Science Graduate School Track
Recommended for students interested in seeking a master's or doctorate's degree in political science. It is recommended students pursuing this track take at least 18 of their 21 political science credits as follows:
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Research Methods | ||
Statistics for the Behavioral Sciences | ||
Applied Statistics | ||
15 credits distributed as follows among these three blocks: | 15 | |
American Government Course - 6 credits | ||
International Relations Course - 6 credits | ||
Political Theory Course - 3 credits |
American Government Course
(6 credits)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLS 3023 | Judicial Process | 3 |
POLS 3043 | Judicial Politics | 3 |
POLS 3053 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
POLS 3083 | Political Parties and Interest Groups | 3 |
POLS 3123 | American Political Behavior | 3 |
POLS 3133 | United States Congress | 3 |
POLS 3143 | The United States Presidency | 3 |
International Relations Course
(6 credits)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLS 3013 | Recent American Foreign and Military Policy | 3 |
POLS 3423 | Problems in International Affairs | 3 |
POLS 3433 | United Nations | 3 |
POLS 3473 | National Security Policy | 3 |
Political Theory Course
(3 credits)
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
POLS 3063 | Modern Political Thought | 3 |
POLS 3253 | Classical Political Thought | 3 |
POLS 4043 | American Constitutional Law | 3 |
POLS 4973 | Internship | 3 |
POLS 4983 | Political Science Seminar | 3 |
Students who complete the program will:
- understand core concepts in Government and Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.
- understand core concepts in U.S. Government and Politics.
- understand core concepts in Comparative Government.
- understand core concepts in International Relations.
- understand core concepts in Political Theory.
- demonstrate the ability to gather, analyze, evaluate, and integrate relevant information.
- demonstrate the ability to draw informed and reasoned (or logical) conclusions about the subject matter.
- demonstrate the ability to state a thesis or hypothesis, test and defend it.
- demonstrate the ability to acknowledge and cite sources for information in an acceptable format.
- demonstrate the ability to gather, organize, and synthesize appropriate information to draw reasonable conclusions.
- test, apply and develop the skills and techniques of the discipline either in or outside the classroom.
- develop a habit of life-long learning as an informed, active and engaged citizen.