| Faculty | BA Major | Minors | Approved Courses |
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The student of politics seeks to understand how governments are organized and structured, how political processes are employed, and the relationship of structures and processes to societal purposes. Political activity embodies and reflects the full range of human values. The study of politics includes real world events while at the same time asking how well political systems work, what purposes they ought to serve, and what effects result from political activity. Political science encourages a critical understanding of government and politics in the belief that a knowledgeable, interested, and aware citizenry iremains vital to a democratic society.
Faculty: Kelleher, Chair; Dwyer-Shick, Grosvenor, Olufs, Spencer.
Courses in political science explore various topics in American government and politics, international relations and foreign policy, comparative government and area studies, political philosophy and theory, and public policy and law. The department provides pre-professional training leading to careers in teaching, law, government, and related fields.
The study of politics touches upon other disciplines which inquire into human behavior and development, ranging from history and philosophy to psychology, communication, and cross-cultural studies. Students of political science have the opportunity to combine the academic study of government and politics with practical experience by participation in one of the internship programs sponsored by the department.
The department sponsors or otherwise encourages active student participation in political life through class activities and through such campus organizations as the Young Democrats and the Young Republicans.
There are no prerequisites for political science courses, except as noted. Prior consultation with the instructor of any advanced course is invited. Students wishing to pursue a major or minor in political science are requested to declare the major or minor with the department chair as soon as possible.
Required courses: POLS 101, 151, 325, 499 (16 semester hours)
Distributional requirement: One course from each of Group A and Group B (eight semester hours)
Group A - American Government and Public Policy
POLS 338, 345, 346, 353, 354, 361, 363, 364, 368, 371, 372, 373
Group B - International Relations, Comparative Government, and Political Thought
POLS 331, 332, 347, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386
Research and Writing Requirement: One 300-level course designated as an "intensive writing course" indicating that it has a substantial research/writing component. Courses that qualify in Group A are: POLS 345, 353, 354, 361, 372 and 373. Courses in Group B are: POLS 331, 332, 380, 381, 384 and 385.
Electives: Minimum of 12 semester hours selected from the Political Science curriculum.
Major programs should be planned in consultation with a departmental advisor. In some instances, an internship (POLS 450, 458, 464, or 471) may be substituted for POLS 499. However, students must pre-plan this option with the appropriate faculty intern supervisor, in consultation with the departmental chair.
Minimum of 20 semester hours including POLS 101 and POLS 151. Minor programs should be planned in consultation with the departmental chair or a designated adviser.
No more than eight semester hours taken to satisfy other major or minor requirements may also be applied to the political science major. No more than four such semester hours may also be applied to the political science minor.
A minimum of 12 semester hours for the major and eight semester hours for the minor must be taken in residence at PLU.
24 semester hours, including POLS 345 (required) and 20 from economics, political science, sociology, or statistics.
This minor offers an interdisciplinary study designed to support many major programs whose content has implications for public affairs and is particularly useful to students contemplating careers in public service or graduate study in public administration, public affairs, and related programs.
The Public Affairs minor includes the following requirements:
At least five
additional courses from three of the following groups (courses which
are taken as part of a major program may not also count toward the
Public Affairs minor):
On approval by the Public Affairs
advisor, up to eight semester hours may be earned through participation
in an internship program as a substitute for courses listed above
(except POLS 345). Internship opportunities are offered through several
departments, and through the Cooperative Education Program, and provide
students with actual work experience in diverse public and private
agencies.
Students interested in internships are urged to consult with their academic advisors and with intern faculty advisors at an early date. Students interested in the Public Affairs minor should declare the minor in the Department of Political Science and consult with the department's Public Affairs advisor.
Requires 20 semester hours as follows:
Four required courses:
- POLS 331: International Relations (4)
- POLS 332: International Conflict Resolution (4)
- COMA 340: Conflict and Communication (4)
- COMA 441: Conflict Management (4)
One elective course chosen from the following, or another course selected in consultation with the minor's faculty coordinator:
- POLS 210: Global Perspectives (4)
- COMA 304: Intercultural Communication (4)
20 semester hours. For additional information, see Legal Studies.
For information, see Pre-professional Programs.