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).

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Degree requirements

Political Science B.A./B.S.

Political Science Honors Program

Political Science Minor

Law and Legal Studies Minor

Campaigning to Win a US Political Campaign Undergraduate Certificate

Women's Leadership Undergraduate Certificate

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. The distinguishing feature of the B.S. degree is that it requires either PS 295 or PS 495 as one of the Upper Division Requirements, while the B.A. does not require either of these courses. 

A minimum of 20 credits must be taken in residence at PSU.

Requirements

Lower Division Requirements

Three courses from the following four options (12 credits)

PS 101United States Government

4

or

PS 102United States Politics

4

 

PS 204Comparative Politics

4

PS 205International Politics

4

PS 208Introduction 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

*One of which must be PS 295 or PS 495 to earn the B.S. degree.

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 101United States Government

4

or

PS 102United States Politics

4

 

PS 204Comparative Politics

4

PS 205International Politics

4

PS 208Introduction to Political Theory

4

Upper Division Requirements

PS 431State and Local Politics

4

PA 313UFundamentals of Public Service

4

Additional electives (20 credits, minimum of 8 in Political Science)

Political Science options:
PS 312Legislative Process

4

PS 318UMedia, Opinion, and Voting

4

PS 331Oregon Politics

4

PS 413Congress

4

PS 416Political Parties and Elections

4

PS 417Interest Groups

4

PS 418Contemporary Political Protest in America

4

PS 419Political Reform

4

PS 421The Supreme Court and American Politics

4

PS 424Law, Politics, and Society

4

Public Administration options:
PA 311UIntroduction to Civic Engagement

4

PA 320UIntroduction to Nonprofit Management

4

PA 412Civic Engagement: The Role of Governing Institutions

4

PA 413Civic Engagement: The Role of Individuals

4

PA 414Civic Engagement: The Role of Social Institutions

4

PA 417Ethical Leadership

4

PA 425Grantwriting for Nonprofit Organizations

4

Field Experience (8 credits)

PS 404Cooperative 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 312UMedia Literacy

4

Comm 313UCommunication in Groups

4

Ec 201Principles of Microeconomics

4

Ec 202Principles of Macroeconomics

4

Ec 311Microeconomic Theory

4

Ec 312Macroeconomic Theory

4

USP 316Community Organizing and Social Change

4

USP 317UIntroduction to International Community Development

4

USP 386UPortland Past and Present

4

USP 419/Soc 441Population and Society

4

USP 428Concepts 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 101United States Government

4

or

PS 102United States Politics

4

 

PS 204Comparative Politics

4

PS 205International Politics

4

PS 208Introduction to Political Theory

4

Upper Division Requirements

Three courses from the following four options (12 credits)

PS 447International Organization

4

PS 448International Law

4

PS 449International Environmental Politics and Law

4

PS 454International Political Economy

4

Political Science electives

Five courses from the following options (20 credits)
PS 319Politics of the Environment

4

PS 352UIntroduction to European Politics

4

PS 353UIntroduction to Latin American Politics

4

PS 354UIntroduction to Asian Politics

4

PS 355UIntroduction to African Politics

4

PS 361UIntroduction to the Politics of the Middle East

4

PS 362UArab-Israeli Conflict

4

PS 455Politics of Economic Reform in Emerging Market Countries

4

PS 460/Intl 460Political Development in Modern Turkey

4

PS 461/Intl 461Politics of Economic Reform in Modern Turkey

4

PS 466Politics of China

4

PS 471Gender & Politics: A Comparative Perspective

4

PS 474Democracy and Development in Latin America

4

PS 479Transitions to Democracy

4

PS 483Justice in the Modern World

4

Non-Political Science electives

Three courses from the following options (12 credits)
Ec 340International Economics

4

Ec 442The Multinational Enterprise in the World Economy

4

Ec 445Comparative Economic Systems

4

Ec 447Economics of Transition

4

Ec 450Economics of Development

4

Geog 331UGeography of Globalization

4

Geog 340UGlobal Water Issues and Sustainability

4

Geog 346UWorld Population and Food Supply

4

Intl 397Theory and Policy in International Development

4

Intl 490Global Sustainable Development

4

Phl 350UInternational Ethics

4

Soc 320UGlobalization

4

Soc 420Urbanization and Community

4

Soc 450Sociology of Higher Education

4

Soc 441/USP 419Population and Society

4

Soc 463Global Inequalities and Health

4

Soc 465Environmental Sociology

4

Research Project (4 credits)

PS 404Cooperative Education/Internship

1-12

PS 405Reading and Conference

1-6

Total Credit Hours:60
(Choose one of the following)