Political Science, B.A.

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A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

Political Science majors at Mount St. Mary’s University are expected to graduate with a basic understanding of the field of political science. To that end, the Department of Political Science has established the following five learning goals to measure student achievement, and a means to assess student success.

All students in the Political Science major are expected to:

Complete a major research project in a subfield of political science, demonstrating a competent ability to pose and analyze an important question using philosophical, legal, qualitative or quantitative methods.
Elucidate a proficient familiarity with the nature, evolution, theoretical framework, and purposes of features of the international political system, including state and non-state actors, international law, and international organizations.
Demonstrate an understanding of the similarities and differences of political systems and cultures around the world.
Make informed and reasoned arguments concerning issues pertaining to constitutional democracy in contemporary America, demonstrating familiar with the history, operations and salient features of American politics.
Understand the evolution of Western political thought and ideologies, including emerging ideologies, and the impact of some key figures in the realm of political thought.

Core Requirements (46 to 49 credits)

FSYM 101 - The First Year Symposium Credits: (3)
PHIL 103 - Foundations of Philosophy Credits: (3)
WCIV 102 - Origins of the West Credits: (3)
PHIL 203 - Philosophy in the Modern Age Credits: (3)
WCIV 201 - The Western Imagination: the Renaissance to the Great War Credits: (3)
AMER 202 - America in the World Credits: (3)
THEOL 220 - Belief in Today’s World Credits: (3)
MATH 211 - Mathematical Thinking Credits: (3)
THEOL 320 - Encountering Christ Credits: (3)
World Language

OPTION 1: Students beginning a new language:
- XXXX 101 - Credits: (3)
- XXXX 102 - Credits: (3)
OPTION 2: Students placed into intermediate or higher language:
- XXXX 201/301 - Credits: (3)
Foundations of Social Science

Choose one of the following:
CJUST 110 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: (3)
ECON 101 - Foundations of Economics: Macroeconomics Credits: (3)
ECON 102 - Foundations of Economics: Microeconomics Credits: (3)
EDUC 100 - Foundations of American Education Credits: (4)
PSCI 100 - Foundations of Political Science: Democratic Processes in America Credits: (3)
PSYCH 100 - Foundations of Psychology Credits: (3)
SOC 100 - Foundations of Sociology Credits: (3)
Laboratory Science
- GNSCI 1XX (non-science majors) Credits: (4) or
- BIOCH/BIOL/CHEM/PHYS XXX (science majors) Credits: (4)
- BIOL 110 Introduction to Biology I (4) (Required for Psychology majors)
Modernity in Literature, Art, Music, or Theatre

Choose one of the following:
ARMO 300 - Modernity in Visual Art Credits: (3)
ENMO 300 - Modernity in Literature Credits: (3) (Required for English majors)
MUMO 300 - Modernity in Music Credits: (3)
THMO 300 - Modernity in Theatre Credits: (3)
Global Encounters
- XXGE 3XX - Credits: (3) (English majors are required to take ENGE 3XX)
Ethics and the Human Good

Choose one of the following:
PHIL 300 - Ethics and Human Good Credits: (3)
THEOL 300 - Ethics and the Human Good Credits: (3) (Required for Theology majors)

Major Requirements

39 Credits:

PSCI 100 - Foundations of Political Science: Democratic Processes in America Credits: (3)
ECON 101 - Foundations of Economics: Macroeconomics Credits: (3)
PSCI 201 - International Relations Credits: (3)
PSCI 206 - Comparative Politics Credits: (3)
PSCI 210 - Public Policy Credits: (3)
PSCI 290 - Investigating Politics Credits: (3)
PSCI 360 - Political Analysis Credits: (3)
PSCI 498 - Senior Seminar Credits: (3)
One of the Following:
PSCI 312 - Parties and Elections Credits: (3)
PSCI 315 - The Supreme Court and Constitutional Law Credits: (3)
PSCI 317 - The American Presidency Credits: (3)
PSCI 318 - Congressional Politics Credits: (3)
Students will also take 12 credit hours in electives. Up to 3 elective credits can come from 100-level courses, internship credits, or service-learning credits.

Political Science electives may not include PSCI 405 LSAT Preparation or PSCI 365 Mock Trial , or single credits given for participation in simulation.
- PSCI XXX - Political Science Elective Credits:(3)
- PSCI XXX - Political Science Elective Credits:(3)
- PSCI XXX - Political Science Elective Credits:(3)
- PSCI XXX - Political Science Elective Credits:(3)

Electives

31 to 34 Credits

Note

DOUBLE-MAJORS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Double majors in Political Science and International Studies must complete all of the courses required for both majors. However, neither PSCI 338 nor PSCI 349 nor any of the courses counted as electives within the International Studies major may count as electives for the Political Science major, and at least two of the four electives for the Political Science major must come from the following list of courses:PSCI 126 , PSCI 212 , PSCI 227 , PSCI 235 , PSCI 238 , PSCI 311 ,PSCI 312 , PSCI 315 , PSCI 317 , PSCI 318 , or PSCI 332 .

To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students must also earn a major GPA of 2.0, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0.