Winthrop University: Majors and More - Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

Majors and More

 

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

The study of political science provides students with an understanding of politics, law, international relations, government and public administration. Recent graduates have gone to work for local, state, national and international organizations. A large percentage of our graduates go to graduate or law school.

General Education

 

Semester Hours

ACAD 101 Principles of the Learning Academy

1

Shared Skills and Proficiencies
   
Writing and Critical Thinking    
   WRIT 101 Composition

3

   HMXP 102      Human Experience 3
   CRTW 201 Critical Reading, Thinking & Writing

3

    Oral Communication See approved list; may be met in major with PLSC 260 0-3
    Technology See approved list 3
    Intensive Writing Met in major with PLSC 490 0
    Constitution Requirement Met in major with PLSC 201  0
    Physical Activity See approved list 1
Thinking Critically Across Disciplines*    
Global Perspectives See approved list; could be met in major

0-3

Historical Perspectives See approved list

3

Introducing Students to Broad Disciplinary Perspectives*

 

Social Science See approved list; must include 2 designators

3-6

Humanities and Arts See approved list; must include 2 designators; could be met in major

3-6

Quantitative Skills and Natural Science* (3 courses) 9-12
Quantitative Skills See approved list (3-8)
Natural Science See approved list; must include one lab science.  [If 2 courses taken, must
be in 2 different groups:  Life, Physical ,Earth]

(3-8)

Subtotal   35-44
*No more than two courses in the major may count toward requirements in these areas  
Required Program  

33

PLSC 201 (C- or better required) American Government

3

PLSC 350 Scope and Methods

3

PLSC 490 Sr Capstone

3

American Government  

3

Select from

 

   PLSC 202 State and Local Government

3

   PLSC 305 The National Executive

3

   PLSC 306 Congress

3

   PLSC 307 American Parties and Practical Politics

3

   PLSC 308 Campaign and Elections

3

   PLSC 309 Controversies of the American Founding

3

   PLSC 310 The Judiciary

3

   PLSC 311 Constitutional Law: Federalism and Institutions

3

   PLSC 312 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

3

   PLSC 313 Public Opinion and Political Participation

3

   PLSC 314 Media and Politics

3

   PLSC 315 Urban Politics & Policy

3

   PLSC 366 Religion and Politics in America 3
   PLSC 371 Women and Politics in the U S

3

   PLSC 513 Campaign Mgt & Pol Communication

3

   PLSC 518 Politics of the American South

3

Comparative Politics  

3

Select from

 

   PLSC 207 Comparative Politics

3

   PLSC 332 Government and Politics of Asia

3

   PLSC 335 Environmental Politics

3

   PLSC 336 Post Soviet Politics and Society: Inside the Enigma

3

   PLSC 337 Women and Global Politics

3

   PLSC 338 Government and Politics of Africa

3

   PLSC 345 European Politics

3

   PLSC 475 Field Research in Kenya

3

   PLSC 505 Government and Politics of Modern China

3

   PLSC 507 Social Movements

3

International Relations   3
  Select from    
   PLSC 205 International Politics 3
   PLSC 260 The United Nations 3
   PLSC 504 American Foreign Policy 3
   PLSC 506 International Political Economy 3
   PLSC 508 National Security Policy 3
   PLSC 530 Identity, Ethnicity, & Nation 3
Political Theory  

3

Select from  

3

   PLSC 351 Ancient and Medieval Political Thought

3

   PLSC 352 Modern and Contemporary Political Thought

3

   PLSC 353 Conservative Political Thought 

3

   PLSC 355 Political Ideologies

3

   PLSC 356 American Political Thought

3

   PLSC 551 African American Political Thought

3

   PLSC 553 Feminist Theory

3

   PLSC 555 Queer Theory

3

Public Administration/Policy  

3

Select from  

 

   PLSC 316 LGBTQ Politics & Policy

3

   PLSC 317 African American Politics and Policy

3

   PLSC 319 Race and Ethnic Politics

3

   PLSC 320 US Immigration Pol & Policy

3

   PLSC 321 Public Policy and Policy Analysis

3

   PLSC 323 Public Administration

3

   PLSC 324 Health Politics and Policy

3

   PLSC 325 Environmental Politics

3

   PLSC 512 Education Politics and Policy

3

   PLSC 515 Urban Politics and Policy

3

Experiential Learning Requirement

0-3

Select from  
(Course may also be used to meet another degree requirement.)  
   PLSC 260 The United Nations

3

   PLSC 307 American Parties and Practical Politics

3

   PLSC 470 Experiential Learning in Political Science

3

   PLSC 471, 472 or 473 Academic Internship in Political Science

1-3

   PLSC 475 Field Research in Kenya

3

   PLSC 500, 501, 502, or 503 Academic Research in Political Science

0-3

   PLSC 514 Survey Research and Data Management

3

PLSC electives (to total a minimum of 33 hours in PLSC)  

9-12

Foreign Language Requirement  

3-8^ 

Minor  

15-24

General Electives  

11-34

Total  

120


Note: Students are limited to a total of nine hours in the major in PLSC 450H, 471, 472, 473, 498, 501, 502, and 503 combined. Students may earn a total of 3 hours of internship credit (471, 472, 473).

^ This requirement may be met by a satisfactory score on a recognized examination or by passing any foreign language course numbered 102 or any course with 102 as a prerequisite. 


The student must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of PLSC courses in residence at Winthrop University. 

Not more than 36 hours in any one subject designator may be applied toward the major for a BA degree.

For additional degree requirements, please visit the Degree Requirements page.

Last Updated: 1/9/23