Political Science, Bachelor of Arts
The major in political science leads to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS). The political science curriculum focuses heavily on the development of analytical and communication skills – along with comprehensive knowledge of public policy, politics, current events, and history – and as such prepares undergraduates for a wide range of in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Courses in political science also serve to complement the liberal arts core at CSU Pueblo and to prepare students for acceptance into graduate programs leading to professional degree Programs.
Program Goals
To prepare students majoring in the discipline to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of historical, philosophical and empirical foundations of political science;
- Demonstrate a general command of knowledge about the American political system, global studies, the history of political thought, and standard political science research approaches; and
- Demonstrate an ability to continue personal study and learning on an independent basis about specific subjects in the discipline.
To prepare students minoring in the discipline to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the nature of the discipline, and
- Demonstrate a general knowledge and understanding of the American political system and of global studies.
Expected Student Outcomes for the Political Science Program
Knowledge Outcome
(KO1) Students should have factual knowledge of many aspects of politics and government that are central objects of study in each of the subfields in political science (American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory).
(KO2) Students should be able to explain core debates (or scholarly theories and perspectives) in the subfields of political science.
Writing Outcome
(WO1) Students should be able to write papers on topics in political science that (a) exhibit clear prose and correct grammar and (b) present a central argument in a clear and coherent structure or fashion.
Critical Thinking Outcome
(CTO1) Students should be able to identify and critique the assumptions, logic, and evidence in both scholarly and lay political arguments.
(CTO2) Students should be able to use empirical observations and analytical reasoning to articulate and defend compelling, non-fallacious arguments.
Outcomes Assessment Activities for the Political Science Program
The faculty of the Political Science program use a variety of methods for evaluating the student learning outcomes. These include an assessment of each student learning outcome in the political science senior seminar and a completed student exit survey in the senior seminar.
Specific Program Requirements
Students who major in Political Science must complete a minimum of 42 semester credit hours in political science. They must earn a grade of C or better in each of those courses, except POLS 498, which is graded S/U. A maximum of six credit hours of POLS 498 can be applied towards the 42 hours required for the major.
- Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts should consult the catalog for the options to complete the foreign language requirement.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Category | ||
| General Education | 35 | |
| Political Science Core Requirements | 42 | |
| Certificate or Minor | 18 | |
| General Electives | 25 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
Specific Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 21 | |
| American Government (GT-SS1) | 3 | |
| International Relations (GT-SS1) | 3 | |
| Comparative Politics | 3 | |
| Political Analysis & Methods I | 3 | |
| Political Analysis & Methods II | 3 | |
| Western Political Thought | 3 | |
| Seminar | 3 | |
| American Politics | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Latinos in American Democracy | 3 | |
| Public Policy | 3 | |
| Political Attitudes & Behavior | 3 | |
| Media, Politics, & Power | 3 | |
| Congress & the Presidency | 3 | |
| International Relations | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| International Conflict | 3 | |
| Peace Studies | 3 | |
| War & Film | 3 | |
| Politics & Film | 3 | |
| U.S. Foreign & Security Policy | 3 | |
| Comparative Politics | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Nationalism & Ethnic Conflict | 3 | |
| Economic Development | 3 | |
| Democracy & Dictatorship | 3 | |
| Internship/Research Requirement | 3 | |
| Select 3 credit hours from one of the following: | ||
| Internship | 3 | |
| Research | 3 | |
| Elective Courses | 9 | |
| Select three Political Science Electives You may take any lower or upper division Political Science courses that were not taken to meet the above requirements. | ||
| Total Credits | 42 | |
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
Note: In addition to requirements for the major and general education, students must complete either:
- Any minor degree program listed in the catalog other than their major; or
- 18 credit hours outside of the major.
Students may not use the same credits to satisfy requirements for both major and minor degrees, or use credits taken to satisfy general education requirements.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| POLS 101 | American Government (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| General Education 3 credits must be World Language course. | 9 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| General Education 3 credits must be World Language course. | 9 | |
| POLS 201 | International Relations (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 250 | Political Analysis & Methods I | 3 |
| POLS 202 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| General Education | 4 | |
| Elective Must be outside the major. | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| General Education | 7 | |
| Elective 3 credits must be Political Science course. | 8 | |
| POLS 251 | Political Analysis & Methods II | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 370 | Western Political Thought | 3 |
| Elective 3 credits must be upper division Political Science course. 9 credits must be outside the major; 3 credits must be upper division. | 12 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective 9 credits must be upper division Political Science course. 6 credits must be outside the major; 3 credits must be upper division. | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective 15 credits must be upper division; 9 credits must be Political Science course. 3 credits must be outside the major. | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 493 | Seminar | 1-3 |
| Elective 9 credits must be upper division; 3 credits must be outside the major | 12 | |
| Credits | 13-15 | |
| Total Credits | 121-123 | |