Political Science, B.A.

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Political science has long been part of the liberal arts tradition in North American higher education, and AU’s Bachelor of Arts in Political Science will prepare you to thrive in the future as a principle-driven leader in a global society where Christian thinking and values are less valued than in the twentieth century.

Our program examines forms of national, state and local government, as well as their constitutional underpinnings, in the United States and around the world. You’ll also learn the qualitative and quantitative research methods used in political science. In addition, you will study the legal and ethical concepts that societies use to organize and wield power at all levels.

Curriculum Summary - Political Science, B.A.

General Education Core	41 hours
Major Core	12 hours
Major Electives	21 hours
Cognate Courses	3 hours
General Electives	43 hours
Total	120 hours

Degree Requirements (120 Cr. Hrs.)

University Core Requirements (41 Cr. Hrs.)

University Core Curriculum (Traditional)

Specified Course Requirements:

Historical Inquiry: HIS 162
Social Inquiry: PS 101
Intercultural Inquiry: FOR LANG 112 or higher

Major Core Requirements (12 Cr. Hrs.)

PS 201 - Research Methods for Political Science 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 220 - International Relations 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 251 - Comparative Politics 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 497 - Political Science Senior Seminar 3 Cr. Hrs.

Major Electives (21 Cr. Hrs.)

Choose 21 Cr. Hrs. of PS 300/400 level courses. PS majors are required to take at least two upper-level classes outside of United States Politics. PS 3* PS 4*

PS 301 - Public Policy 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 302 - International Political Economy 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 303 - United States Political Institutions 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 304 - Interest Groups and Political Parties 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 305 - War and Peace in World Politics 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 306 - United States Foreign Policy 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 310 - Judicial Process and Policy-Making in the United States 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 369 - Special Topics 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 401 - Western European Politics 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 402 - Introduction to International Law and Organization 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 410 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS 411 - Comparative Public Policy 3 Cr. Hrs.

Cognate Requirements (3 Cr. Hrs.)

HIS 182 - The Modern World 3 Cr. Hrs.

General Electives (43 Cr. Hrs.)

Suggested Eight Semester Sequence

Sixth Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

CON 3** - Connections 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS Electives 6 Cr. Hrs.
Electives 6 Cr. Hrs.

Seventh Semester (15 Cr. Hrs.)

CTI 4** - Contemporary Issues 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS Electives 3 Cr. Hrs.
Electives 9 Cr. Hrs.

Eighth Semester (13 Cr. Hrs.)

PS 497 - Political Science Senior Seminar 3 Cr. Hrs.
PS Electives 3 Cr. Hrs.
Electives 7 Cr. Hrs.