Requirements for a Major in Political Science
Bachelor of Arts
Must earn grades of C- or better in all courses used to complete the major. Must complete a total of at least 34 hours in Political Science.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PSCI 101 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 102 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 203 | Success Strategies in Political Science | 1 |
| PSCI 301 | Research Methods | 3 |
| Group I - American Government | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| Identity Politics | ||
| State and Local Government and Politics | ||
| Social Movements | ||
| Religion and Politics | ||
| Retail Politics:Presidential Campaigning in the U.S. | ||
| American Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Political Parties | ||
| Interest Group Politics | ||
| Public Policy | ||
| Judicial Process and Behavior | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| The U.S. Congress | ||
| The Federal Budget | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| Democracy Reform in the US | ||
| Seminar in Political Leadership | ||
| Group II - International Relations | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| International Relations | ||
| International Organization: Model United Nations | ||
| U.S. Intelligence and Foreign Policy | ||
| International Terrorism | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| International Law:Model United Nations | ||
| Group III - Foreign and Comparative Government | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 3 | |
| Comparative Legislatures | ||
| European Politics | ||
| Russian Politics | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| African Politics | ||
| Chinese Politics | ||
| Mexican Politics | ||
| Middle Eastern Politics | ||
| Politics of Nationalism | ||
| Group IV - Political Theory | ||
| PSCI 241 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| Additional Requirements | ||
| Select three additional PSCI courses | 9 | |
| Capstone | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Senior Seminar in Political Science 1 | ||
Capstone experience approved by the department | ||
| Total Hours | 34 | |
- 1
PSCI 401 Senior Seminar in Political Science fulfills the capstone requirement and is required for the major, unless a student opts to complete the capstone requirement offered in a different major program, in which case they may substitute the credits from an additional PSCI elective. The Senior Seminar requirement also may be waived, with the permission of the department, if the student conducts directed research, or other appropriate experiential learning as approved by the department, under the supervision of a member of the political science department faculty that culminates in the student’s senior year.
Requirements for a Teaching Endorsement in Social Science & History (History or Political Science)
Students who are interested in earning a teaching license from the Commonwealth of Virginia to teach grades 6 –12 should double major in History or Political Science and Education. Interested students should contact both their History/Political Science advisor and their Education advisor. The program requirements of a student planning to major in education for the purpose of certification in History and Social Sciences vary from those of other History or Political Science majors. Information regarding the Education program and required courses for licensure can be found in the RMC Teacher Preparation Handbook .
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| HIST 111 | World History I | 3 |
| HIST 112 | World History II | 3 |
| HIST 211 | The United States to 1865 | 3 |
| HIST 212 | The U.S. Since 1865 | 3 |
| PSCI 101 | Introduction to Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 102 | American Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSCI 212 | State and Local Government and Politics | 3 |
| ECON 201 | Principles of Economics-Micro | 3 |
| EDUC 319 | Historical Geography for Future Educators | 3 |
| HIST 300 | Historical Methods & Historiography | 3 |
| or PSCI 301 | Research Methods | |