Political Science

Prerequisites, when required, are listed in the individual course descriptions. 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. All political science courses must be completed with a grade of C- or better.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Major in Political Science
36 semester hours

• Required Courses
  20 semester hours

• • POLS 151, POLS 251, POLS 301, GLST 325, and POLS 499

• Public Policy Requirement
  4 semester hours

• • One 300-level course designated as a public policy course indicating that it explores the art and science of policymaking at the state, local, and national level. Courses that qualify are: POLS 345, 346, 354, 370.

• Research and Writing Requirement
  4 semester hours

• • One 300-level course designated as an “intensive writing course” indicating that it has a substantial research/writing component. Courses that qualify are: POLS 345, 354, 361, 365, 372, 373, GLST 331 and 357.

• Electives
  8 semester hours
  • Any POLS course or GLST 210, 331, 357, 431, or NORD 322.

Majors should plan their course of study in consultation with their departmental advisor.

Concurrent Attainment

No more than 8 semester hours taken to satisfy other major or minor requirements may also be applied to the political science major. No more than 4 such semester hours may also be applied to the political science minor.

Residency

A minimum of 12 semester hours for the major and 8 semester hours for the minor must be taken in residence at PLU.

Minor
Minimum of 20 semester hours, including POLS 151

Minor programs should be planned in consultation with the departmental chair or a designated adviser.

Residency

A minimum of 12 semester hours for the major and 8 semester hours for the minor must be taken in residence at PLU.

• Minor in Public Affairs
  24 semester hours, including POLS 345 (required) and 20 hours from economics, political science, sociology & criminal justice, 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.

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):

• Political Science
  Minimum of 8 semester hours if this group is selected

• • • POLS 151: American Government
    • POLS 354: State and Local Government

• Economics
  Minimum of 8 semester hours if this group is selected

• • • ECON 101, 102: Principles of Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
      (or ECON 111: Principles of Microeconomics: Global and Environmental)
    • ECON 321: Labor Economics
    • ECON 325: Industrial Organization and Public Policy

• Sociology & Criminal Justice
  Minimum of 4 semester hours if this group is selected

• • • SOCI 240: Social Problems
    • SOCI 413: Criminological Theory

• Statistics
  Minimum of 4 semester hours if this minor is selected

• • • STAT 231: Introductory Statistics

On approval by the public affairs advisor, up to 8 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.

• Minor in Conflict Resolution
  20 semester hours, including

POLS/GLST 331, POLS 332; COMA 340, 441, and 4 elective hours from POLS/GLST 210 or COMA 304 or another course selected in consultation with the minor’s faculty coordinator.

Pre-Law Advising

For information, see Pre-Professional Programs section of this catalog.