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Major in Political Science
Major Details
The department offers a wide range of courses designed to equip the student with basic and advanced information about political life in this country and abroad; conceptual, communication and methodological skills; normative and analytic theories with which to study contemporary and emerging public issues; and an awareness of how political science relates to the other social sciences and the humanities.
The department's own graduate program (MA and PhD) contributes to undergraduate teaching and learning. Majors belong to the Political Science Student Association, the undergraduate chapter of the Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, and have participated in Mock Trial competitions, Model United Nations simulations and Naval Academy conferences. Many students do internships in a variety of governmental, political or legal positions.
McMicken College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.
- Anthropology
- Communication
- Economics
- Geography
- History
- International human rights
- Journalism
- Languages or area studies
- Psychology
- Security studies
- Sociology
Curriculum
This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.
If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.
| Course Name | Course Number | Credits |
| First Year | ||
| *English Composition | ENGL101 & 15ENGL102 |
6 |
| Elementary Probability & Statistics | 15STAT147-148-149 |
9 |
| *Foreign Language | see checklist |
9-15 |
| Introduction to American Politics I & II | 15POL110-111 (SS) | 6 |
| Introduction to Political Theory | 15POL140 (SS) | 3 |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | 15POL160 (SS) | 3 |
| Introduction to International Relations | 15POL180 (SS) |
3 |
| *Humanities (HU) | see offerings |
3 |
| Courses in minor or other program | see options |
0-6 |
| Total for first year |
45 |
| Second Year | ||
| *Intermediate Composition | 15ENGL289 | 3 |
| *Foreign Language (if necessary) | see checklist |
0-9 |
| Political Inquiry I & II: Approaches & Methods | 15POL253-254 | 6 |
| Field Distribution Course: American Politics | see list below | 3 |
| Field Distribution Course: Political Theory | see list below | 3 |
| Field Distribution Course: Comparative Politics | see list below | 3 |
| Field Distribution Course: International Relations | see list below | 3 |
| *Literature (LT) | see offerings | 3 |
| *Natural Science (NS) | see offerings |
9 |
| Courses in minor or other program | see options |
0-9 |
| Total for second year |
45 |
| Third & Fourth Years | ||
| Field Distribution Courses (choose from any areas) | see list below | 24-27 |
|
Capstone (choose one option) |
3-6 | |
| Senior Project | 15POL490 | (3) |
| Graduate Seminar | 15POL700-level | (varies) |
| Senior Thesis - Honors | 15POL495-496 | (varies) |
| *Humanities, Literature or Fine Arts (HU, LT or FA) | see offerings | 3 |
| *Social & Ethical Issues (if not already taken, SE) | see offerings | 3 |
| *Diversity & Culture (if not already taken, DC) | see offerings | 3 |
| Courses in minor or other program (get a double major!) | see options | 51 |
| Total for second year |
45 |
*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.
Field Distribution Requirements (42 credit hours)
American Politics
15 POL 210 American Political Behavior
15 POL 211/511 Election in America
15 POL 212/512 Political Parties
15 POL 214 Introduction to Public Opinion
15 POL 216 State and Local Government
15 POL 217 The Government and Politics of Ohio
15 POL 219 The American Presidency
15 POL 220 The American Congress
15 POL 221 The American Supreme Court
15 POL 222 Judicial Process
15 POL 231/531 Government and Public Policy
15 POL 232 Community Disaster Reconstruction
15 POL 314/523 Women and Politics
15 POL 315 Electing the President
15 POL 318 Black Leadership in the 20th Century
15 POL 319 Religion, Elections and Politics
15 POL 321 Constitutional Law: Federal System
15 POL 322 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights
15 POL 323 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties
15 POL 430 Practicum in Homeland Security and Emergency Management
15 POL 510 American Public Opinion (formerly 15 POL 310)
15 POL 513 Campaign Management and Elections (formerly 15 POL 213)
15 POL 514 Communication and Presidential Campaigns
15 POL 515 The Rhetoric of Presidential Debates
15 POL 516 Polls, Elections and Politics (formerly POL 316)
15 POL 517 Media and US Politics (formerly POL 317)
15 POL 518 The Rhetorical Presidency
15 POL 524 Women and Campaign Communication
15 POL 525 Domestic Sources of American Foreign Policy
15 POL 526 Public Administration (Formerly 15 POL 226)
15 POL 527 Religion, Science, and Politics
15 POL 534 Emergency Management Policy (formerly 15 POL 334)
15 POL 535 American Health Policy (formerly 15 POL 235)
15 POL 536 Public Administration and Intergovernmental Rel. (formerly 15 POL 326)
15 POL 555 Introduction to Survey Research (formerly 15 POL 255)
Political Theory
15 POL 240 Development of Political Thought I
15 POL 241 Development of Political Thought II
15 POL 245 American Political Thought
15 POL 248 Mass Political Movements
15 POL 344 The Internet and Democratic Politics
15 POL 348 Politics of Protest
15 POL 440 Individual Work: Political Theory
15 POL 540 Progressive Political Theory (formerly 15 POL 340)
15 POL 541 Marx and Marxist Tradition (formerly 15 POL 341)
15 POL 543 Citizenship and Terror (formerly 15 POL 343)
15 POL 546 State Theory (formerly 15 POL 346)
Comparative Politics
15 POL 269 Politics in Developing Countries
15 POL 380/587 Regional Politics in Asia
15 POL 560 Approaches to Comparative Politics (formerly 15 POL 360)
15 POL 561 Government and Politics of Japan (formerly 15 POL 261)
15 POL 562 Government and Politics of Korea (formerly 15 POL 262)
15 POL 563 Government and Politics of China (formerly 15 POL 263)
15 POL 564 Politics in South Asia (formerly 15 POL 264)
15 POL 565 Government and Politics of Latin America (formerly 15 POL 265)
15 POL 566 Government and Politics of Canada (formerly 15 POL 266)
15 POL 567 Civil War and Political Violence (formerly 15 POL 367)
15 POL 568 Nationalism and Identity Politics (formerly 15 POL 368)
15 POL 570 Comparative Political Behavior (formerly 15 POL 270)
15 POL 571 Government and Politics of Middle East I (formerly 15 POL 271)
15 POL 572 Government and Politics of Middle East II (formerly 15 POL 272)
15 POL 574 Government and Politics of Russia (formerly 15 POL 274)
15 POL 575 Government and Politics of East & Central Europe (formerly 15 POL 275)
15 POL 576 Politics of the European Union (formerly 15 POL 376)
15 POL 577 Government and Politics of Europe I (formerly 15 POL 277)
15 POL 578 Government and Politics of Europe II (formerly 15 POL 278)
15 POL 579 Women and Politics in the Third World (formerly 15 POL 365)
15 POL 586 Security and Conflict: Asia
International Relations
15 POL 280 / 580 Approaches to International Politics
15 POL 281 / 581 U.S. Foreign Relations: Institutions & Processes
15 POL 282 / 582 NATO and Alliances in International Politics
15 POL 283 / 583 International Cooperation
15 POL 284 / 584 National Security Policy
15 POL 285 / 585 Politics of Terrorism
15 POL 286 / 586 Security & Conflict in Asia
15 POL 287 Politics of Human Rights
15 POL 288 International Law
15 POL 289 International Organization
15 POL 380 / 587 Regional Politics in Asia
15 POL 588 U.S. Foreign Policy: Globalization (formerly 15 POL 382)
15 POL 589 International Conflict (formerly 15 POL 383)
15 POL 590 International Crisis Management (formerly 15 POL 384)
15 POL 591 International Politics in East Asia (formerly 15 POL 386)
15 POL 592 International Political Economy (formerly 15 POL 389)
Additional Electives (optional with department permission)
15 POL 294 Honors: Special Topics
15 POL 295 Honors: Special Topics
15 POL 296 Honors: Special Topics
15 POL 406 Internship Practicum
15 POL 411 Individual Work: American Politics
15 POL 440 Individual Work: Political Theory
15 POL 460 Individual Work: Comparative Politics
15 POL 480 Individual Work: International Relations
15 POL 499 Honors: Individual Study
15 MLTI-500 Study Abroad