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.
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 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 Core Requirements
Take two from the following four options (8 credits):
PS 331 | Oregon Politics | 4 |
PS 335U | Race and Politics in the United States | 4 |
PS 419 | Political Reform | 4 |
PS 431 | State and Local Politics | 4 |
Additional electives (20 credits, minimum of 12 in Political Science)
Political Science options:
PS 310 | How to Win a U.S. Political Campaign | 4 |
PS 312 | Legislative Process | 4 |
PS 313U | The Power Game: A Simulation of Washington Politics | 4 |
PS 316U | Politics and the Arts | 4 |
PS 318U | Media, Opinion, and Voting | 4 |
PS 319U | Politics of the Environment | 4 |
PS 331 | Oregon Politics | 4 |
PS 335U | Race and Politics in the United States | 4 |
PS 380U | Women and Politics | 4 |
PS 381U | Women's Leadership | 4 |
PS 412 | The Presidency | 4 |
PS 413 | Congress | 4 |
PS 414 | Issues in Public Policy | 4 |
PS 416 | Political Parties and Elections | 4 |
PS 417 | Interest Groups | 4 |
PS 418 | Contemporary Political Protest in America | 4 |
PS 419 | Political Reform | 4 |
PS 421 | The Supreme Court and American Politics | 4 |
PS 424 | Law, Politics, and Society | 4 |
PS 427 | The Politics of Public Opinion | 4 |
PS 429 | American Immigration Politics & Policy | 4 |
PS 431 | State and Local Politics | 4 |
PS 435 | Disasters and Public Policy | 4 |
PS 471 | Gender & Politics: A Comparative Perspective | 4 |
Courses used to meet the core requirements cannot be used at the same time to fulfill the elective requirements.
Public Administration options:
PA 311U | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 4 |
PA 312U | Foundations of Community Leadership | 4 |
PA 313U | Fundamentals of Public Service | 4 |
PA 320U | Introduction to Nonprofit Management | 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 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:
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
Two courses from the following options (8 credits)
PS 410 | Political Economy of Development | 4 |
PS 447 | International Organization | 4 |
PS 448 | International Law | 4 |
PS 449 | International Environmental Politics and Law | 4 |
PS 454 | International Political Economy | 4 |
PS 477 | Global Food Politics and Policy | 4 |
Political Science electives
Four courses from the following options (16 credits)
PS 319U | Politics of the Environment | 4 |
PS 352U | Introduction to European Politics | 4 |
PS 353U | Introduction to Latin American Politics | 4 |
PS 354U | Introduction to Asian Politics | 4 |
PS 355U | Introduction to African Politics | 4 |
PS 361U | Introduction to the Politics of the Middle East | 4 |
PS 362U | Arab-Israeli Conflict | 4 |
PS 373 | Violence, Rebellion, and Civil War | 4 |
PS 460/Intl 460 | Political Development in Modern Turkey | 4 |
PS 461/Intl 461 | Politics of Economic Reform in Modern Turkey | 4 |
PS 466 | Politics of China | 4 |
PS 471 | Gender & Politics: A Comparative Perspective | 4 |
PS 472 | Democratization and Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa | 4 |
PS 473 | Government and Politics of Arab North Africa | 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
Two courses from the following options (8 credits)
Ec 340 | International Economics | 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 |
Intl 397 | Theory and Policy in International Development | 4 |
Intl 445/USP 445 | Cities and Third World Development | 3 |
Intl 490 | Global Sustainable Development | 4 |
USP 312U | Urban Housing and Development | 4 |
USP 317U | Introduction to International Community Development | 4 |
USP 419/Soc 441 | Population and Society | 4 |
USP 490 | Green Economics and Sustainable Development | 3 |
Research Project (4 credits)
Students participating in the PS International Development track option are required to execute a substantial research paper (20 – 25 pages) on a development-related topic of their choosing. Students should identify a Political Science faculty member from the list below who agrees to oversee the
PS 405 project, offer educational guidance and support and enroll the student using the “By Arrangement” form. The minimum credit requirement for the Final Project is 4 student credit hours (SCH), with a maximum of 6 SCH possible for larger projects. For students completing projects worth more than 4 SCH, the additional credits may not substitute for other requirements in the ID track option. In certain cases, students seeking Political Science Honors credit may use their PS Honors paper to fulfill the requirements for the ID track option with the approval of the faculty member(s) overseeing these projects.
As an alternative to the research project, students may participate in a professional internship that supports the ID Track option’s basic educational goals. Students must independently locate an internship opportunity, identify a faculty member from the list below who will oversee the internship, sign off on the
PS 404 internship contract, and enroll in the internship using the “By Arrangement” form. A written report (6-8 pgs.) specifying how the internship experience fits with the student’s educational goals and how it relates to and advances the educational content of the degree track option is to be submitted to the student’s faculty advisor by the end of finals week during the quarter in which the internship is completed. The number of SCH gained through an internship is proportional to the number of work hours the internship requires, with each SCH worth 30 hours of work during a quarter. Students must complete an internship worth 4 SCH to satisfy the track option requirements, with a maximum of 12 SCH possible. For students completing internships worth more than 4 SCH, the additional credits may not substitute for other requirements in the ID track option.
PS 404 | Cooperative Education/Internship | 1-12 |
| or | |
PS 405 | Reading and Conference | 1-6 |
Total Credit Hours: | 48 |