Course Information Suite

Political Science

http://www.pol.illinois.edu
Head of Department: William Bernhard
Department Office: 361 Lincoln Hall, 702 South Wright, Urbana, (217) 333-3881

The Department of Political Science encourages students to acquire a broad understanding of political science and to pursue selected subfields of the discipline in depth. To accomplish these objectives, the department provides courses of study that introduce students to the discipline and to its principal fields. Among these are American government and politics, comparative government and politics, international relations, and political philosophy. Supporting courses are an integral part of the program and should be selected with a view toward building a coherent selection adapted to the student's particular interests.

Major in Sciences and Letters Curriculum

E-mail: mham@illinois.edu

Degree title: Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Minimum required major and supporting course work equates to 50 hours including 30 hours of Political Science courses

General education: The LAS General Education requirements are set up so students automatically complete the Campus General Education requirements.

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours

Departmental distinction: The department may award distinction, high distinction, or highest distinction to any political science major whose grade point average in the major is 3.25 or higher and who successfully completes 4 hours of PS 496 (Senior Honors Thesis). See the departmental academic adviser for details.

Hours Requirements
3 PS 101 - Intro to US Gov & Pol
9 Select three from the following:
 
PS 100 - Intro to Political Science
 
PS 220 - Intro to Public Policy
 
PS 230 - Intro to Pol Research
 
PS 240 - Intro to Comp Politics
 
PS 270 - Intro to Political Theory
 
PS 280 - Intro to Intl Relations
12 At least four courses at the 300 level 1
6 Political Science courses at any level
20 Supporting course work is required and must be selected in consultation with the student’s adviser. Supporting courses should complement subfields in political science chosen by the student. At least 12 of these 20 hours must be in courses numbered 200 or above.
50 Total
1. Most 300-level courses will require as prerequisites the appropriate 200-level courses (or, in the case of American politics courses, PS 101) or the consent of the instructor. Up to 6 hours of credit in PS 491 may be used. PS 499 and 495 may also be used.

Twelve hours of 300- and 400-level courses in the major must be taken on this campus.

All foreign language requirements must be satisfied.

A Major Plan of Study Form must be completed and submitted to the LAS Student Affairs Office before the end of the fifth semester (60-75 hours). Please see your adviser.

Not more than 6 hours of individual study courses in political science or 6 hours for internships may be included in the major; a student with both independent study hours and internship hours may include a maximum of 9 hours of such credit in the major. PS 496 is reserved for those seniors doing honors theses for distinction in political science and may not be counted in the 50-hour minimum required for the major.

Minor in Political Science

A minor in political science is designed for students who desire to enhance their ability to deal intelligently and critically with issues and ideas about government and politics. The minor permits choices among five sub-fields, each involving important theoretical and applied questions about the role of citizens, associations, and states in the application of political power. These sub-fields are: American Government and Politics, Comparative Government and Politics, International Relations, Political Philosophy, and Public Policy/Public Administration. Within a given sub-field, students will be exposed to advanced courses that build on relevant introductory courses. These advanced courses will provide students with in-depth treatments of topics relevant to issues dealt with in their major field of study.

Hours Requirements
3 Select one of the following:
 
PS 100- Intro to Political Science
 
PS 101- Intro to US Gov & Pol
6 Select at least two of the following courses:
 
PS 201- US Racial & Ethnic Politics
 
PS 220- Intro to Public Policy
 
PS 230- Intro to Pol Research
 
PS 240- Intro to Comp Politics
 
PS 270- Intro to Political Theory
 
PS 280- Intro to Intl Relations
9 Select at least three courses at the 300-level. Theses courses must be selected from sub-fields in which credit already has been completed. For a listing of courses by sub-field see the "Sub-fields for the Minor in Political Science" handout available in 364 Lincoln Hall.
18 TOTAL