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2023-2024 University Catalog
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major: Political Science

Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA) Concentration: American Politics 2023-2024

Osprey Map (Course Sequence Guide)

Prerequisites (6 credits)

Requires grades of C or above.

POS2041 Intro to American Government (3 Credits)

SELECT 1 INTRO POLI SCIENCE COURSE

Any introductory political science courses with POS, CPO, or INR prefixes can be used

Core Requirements (15 credits)

Requires grades of C or above.

POS3733 Research Design for Poli Sci (3 Credits)
POS3734 Research Analysis for Poli Sci (3 Credits)
POT3003 Political Thought and Action (3 Credits)
PAD4003 Public Administration (3 Credits)

SELECT 1 COURSE (3000/4000 LEVEL):
POS 3413 American Presidency (3 credits)
POS 3424 Congress & the Legislative Process (3 credits)
POS 3606 The U.S. Supreme Court (3 credits)

Major Electives (15 credits)

Select courses that have not been used in above areas.

SELECT 5 COURSES FROM BELOW:
INR 3084 Terrorism Today (3 credits)
INR 4334 American Defense in the Age of Mass Destruction (3 credits)
POS 3114 Issues in State & Local Government (3 credits)
POS 3142 Politics & Policy in Urban Government (3 credits)
POS 3235 Government & Mass Media (3 credits)
POS 3413 The American Presidency (3 credits)
POS 3424 Congress & the Legislative Process (3 credits)
POS 3444 Parties, Campaigns & Elections (3 credits)
POS 3606 The U.S. Supreme Court (3 credits)
POS 3679 Mock Trial (3 credits)
POS 3691 The American Legal System (3 credits)
POS 3931 ST: Politics (3 credits)
POS 3653 Legal Research and Analysis (3 credits)
POS 4033 Controversial Political Issues (3 credits)
POS 4173 Southern Politics (3 credits)
POS 4463 Interest Groups & American Democracy (3 credits)
POS 4608 Constitutional Law I: Powers & Constraints (3 credits)
POS 4624 Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights & Liberties (3 credits)
POS 4750 Survey Research (3 credits)
POS 4905 Directed Individual Study (3 credits)
POS 4932 ST: Politics & Public Administration (3 credits)
POS 4945 Internship/Field Experience (1-6 credits)
POT 3075 American Politics & Popular Culture (3 credits)
PUP 3053 American Political Economy (3 credits)

Minor Required

A minor is required for this major.* (Credits will vary)

The minor must be selected from the list of approved minors, including those outside the college of the major.
See List of Minors in the Undergraduate Catalog. Minors are generally completed during the last 60 credit hours of your program. Your minor may require prerequisites, so choosing a minor early is beneficial. See your Advisor to declare a minor.

*Double majors are exempt from a minor.

Foreign Language/Foreign Cultures

Foreign Language (8 CHs)/Foreign Culture Requirement (6 CHs): All BA students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to complete either (i) the Foreign Language option or (ii) the Foreign Culture option, in either case with grades of C or higher.

TAKE 8 HOURS OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE

  • Select 1 two-course sequence of Spanish, French, Chinese, German, Latin, or American Sign Language.
  • The first course in each of the two-course sequences is typically offered in the fall; the second course in each of the two-course sequences is typically offered in the spring.
  • To determine whether to enroll in the first or the second course of the two-course French or Spanish sequences, incoming students with prior experience in French or Spanish must take a placement exam. Students who place above the beginning level will satisfy the Foreign Language option by earning a "C" or better in the second French or second Spanish course into which they have placed.
  • Students who complete a 3000-level French or Spanish course with a "C" or above have demonstrated the mastery that is required in the two-course French or Spanish sequence and may request retroactive credit for the sequence. The retroactive credit will either be 3 or 6 credits, depending on their placement following the exam.
  • This policy applies to Chinese as well, placement being determined by the professor of the program.

FC Foreign Culture Option

  • Students who successfully completed 2 years of foreign language in high school have the option of taking 6 hours of foreign culture courses instead of 8 hours of college level foreign language.
  • Foreign cultures contain (FC) in the course title.
  • A complete list of foreign culture courses can be found in the Arts & Sciences Advising Office.

Free Electives (7 credits)

SELECT 7 HOURS FREE ELECTIVES 3000/4000

This degree requires a minimum of 120 total hours with 48 upper (3000/4000) level hours. Free electives may be courses in any discipline (provided the required prerequisites are met) and they are the hours needed to satisfy the total hour requirement. These hours may vary (consult your advisor about free elective hours needed to graduate).