Undergraduate programs
The program in political science leading to the B.A. or B.S. degree is designed to meet the needs of the liberal arts major who wishes to learn more about public and international affairs, government, and the demands of citizenship. It is appropriate for professionally motivated students who wish to pursue careers in political science, public administration, international organizations, domestic government, communications, education, or law. It is also appropriate for inquiring students desiring to learn more about the way human beings live together and the structures and institutions they have developed (or might develop) to facilitate social cooperation and conflict management.
The most current information about undergraduate degree programs, internships, and other opportunities is available on the program website (www.pdx.edu/hatfieldschool/undergraduate-program-political-science).
Political Science B.A./B.S.
The standard major offers a traditional course of study in political science that involves some exposure to three basic areas of the discipline. In addition to meeting the University’s general education requirements, a student wishing to pursue a basic major in political science must take a minimum of 48 credits in political science distributed as follows:
Requirements
Lower Division Requirements
Three courses from the following four options (12 credits)
| PS 101 | United States Government | 4 |
| | Or | |
| PS 102 | United States Politics | 4 |
| | | |
| PS 204 | Comparative Politics | 4 |
| PS 205 | International Politics | 4 |
| PS 208 | Introduction to Political Theory | 4 |
Upper Division Requirements (36 credits)
| | Five 400-level PS courses | 20 |
| | Additional PS electives (minimum 12 upper-division) | 16 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 48 |
Public Service option
The Public Service option in Political Science is designed for students who want a more hands-on experience in the major or are interested in practical politics. The curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in American government, while instilling in them an understanding of public service. Students in this track are required to serve an internship in a governmental or political office.
Lower Division Requirements
Three courses from the following four options (12 credits)
| PS 101 | United States Government | 4 |
| | Or | |
| PS 102 | United States Politics | 4 |
| | | |
| PS 204 | Comparative Politics | 4 |
| PS 205 | International Politics | 4 |
| PS 208 | Introduction to Political Theory | 4 |
Upper Division Requirements
| PS 431 | State and Local Politics | 4 |
| PA 313 | Fundamentals of Public Service | 4 |
Additional electives (20 credits, minimum of 8 in Political Science)
Political Science options:
| PS 312 | Legislative Process | 4 |
| PS 331 | Oregon Politics | 4 |
| PS 417 | Interest Groups | 4 |
| PS 416 | Political Parties and Elections | 4 |
| PS 421 | The Supreme Court and American Politics | 4 |
| PS 424 | Law, Politics, and Society | 4 |
| PS 426 | The Politics of the News | 4 |
Public Administration options:
| PA 311 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 4 |
| PA 412 | Civic Engagement: The Role of Governing Institutions | 4 |
| PA 413 | Civic Engagement: The Role of Individuals | 4 |
| PA 414 | Civic Engagement: The Role of Social Institutions | 4 |
| PA 417 | Ethical Leadership | 4 |
| PA 420 | Introduction to Nonprofit Management | 4 |
| PA 425 | Grantwriting for Nonprofit Organizations | 4 |
Field Experience (8 credits)
| PS 404 | Cooperative Education/Internship | 8 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 48 |
Courses not required for the Public Service Option, but recommended for those interested in public service careers:
| Comm 312 | Media Literacy | 4 |
| Comm 313 | Communication in Groups | 4 |
| Ec 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4 |
| Ec 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4 |
| Ec 311 | Microeconomic Theory | 4 |
| Ec 312 | Macroeconomic Theory | 4 |
| USP 316 | Community Organizing and Social Change | 4 |
| USP 317 | Introduction to International Community Development | 4 |
| USP 386 | Portland Past and Present | 4 |
| USP 419 | Population and Society | 4 |
| USP 428 | Concepts of Community Development | 4 |
International Development option
International development involves questions of global governance, international and development economics, foreign aid and humanitarian assistance, poverty reduction and human development, sustainable development, and international and intergenerational justice.
Lower Division Requirements
Three courses from the following four options (12 credits)
| PS 101 | United States Government | 4 |
| | Or | |
| PS 102 | United States Politics | 4 |
| | | |
| PS 204 | Comparative Politics | 4 |
| PS 205 | International Politics | 4 |
| PS 208 | Introduction to Political Theory | 4 |
Upper Division Requirements
Three courses from the following four options (12 credits)
| PS 447 | International Organization | 4 |
| PS 448 | International Law | 4 |
| PS 449 | International Environmental Politics and Law | 4 |
| PS 454 | International Political Economy | 4 |
Political Science electives
Five courses from the following options (20 credits)
| PS 352 | Introduction to European Politics | 4 |
| PS 353 | Introduction to Latin American Politics | 4 |
| PS 354 | Introduction to Asian Politics | 4 |
| PS 355 | Introduction to African Politics | 4 |
| PS 361 | Introduction to the Politics of the Middle East | 4 |
| PS 455 | Politics of Economic Reform in Emerging Market Countries | 4 |
| PS 460 | Political Development in Modern Turkey | 4 |
| PS 461 | Politics of Economic Reform in Modern Turkey | 4 |
| PS 466 | Politics of China | 4 |
| PS 471 | Gender & Politics: A Comparative Perspective | 4 |
| PS 474 | Democracy and Development in Latin America | 4 |
| PS 479 | Transitions to Democracy | 4 |
| PS 483 | Justice in the Modern World | 4 |
Non-Political Science electives
Three courses from the following options (12 credits)
| Ec 340 | International Economics | 4 |
| Ec 348 | The Globalization Debate: Concept, History, and Theory | 4 |
| Ec 442 | The Multinational Enterprise in the World Economy | 4 |
| Ec 445 | Comparative Economic Systems | 4 |
| Ec 447 | Economics of Transition | 4 |
| Ec 450 | Economics of Development | 4 |
| Geog 331 | Geography of Globalization | 4 |
| Geog 346 | World Population and Food Supply | 4 |
| Intl 397 | US Policy and International Development | 4 |
| Intl 490 | Global Sustainable Development | 4 |
| Phl 350 | International Ethics | 4 |
| Soc 320 | Globalization | 4 |
| Soc 420 | Urbanization and Community | 4 |
| Soc 450 | Sociology of Higher Education | 4 |
| Soc 441 | Population and Society | 4 |
| Soc 463 | Global Inequalities and Health | 4 |
| Soc 465 | Environmental Sociology | 4 |
Research Project (4 credits)
| PS 405 | Reading and Conference | 1-6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 60 |