Political Science B.A.
Minimum Requirements for Political Science B.A.: 120 credits
Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General University Requirements | ||
| Complete the general university requirements. | ||
| General Education Requirements | ||
| Complete the general education requirements. | 35-40 | |
| As part of the general education requirements, complete at least one of the following Political Science courses: | ||
| Political Economy | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| International Politics | ||
| B.A. Degree Requirements | ||
| Complete the B.A. degree requirements. | 37 | |
| As part of the B.A. requirements, complete the following: | ||
| Ethics and Society | ||
| Political Science Program Requirements | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| PS F101X | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| PS F222 | Political Science Research Methods | 3 |
| Complete one of the following: 1 | 3 | |
| Internship in Public Affairs | ||
| Senior Thesis | ||
The Alaska Universities Legislative Internship Program | ||
Other approved internship earning at least 3 transferable upper-division credits | ||
| Political Science | ||
| Complete 12 credits from the following (at least one course from four of the following sub-disciplinary groups) | 12 | |
| American Government and Politics | ||
| American Presidency | ||
| Congress and Public Policy | ||
| Politics and the Judicial Process | ||
| Political Behavior | ||
| U.S. Environmental Politics | ||
| Public Law | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Public Policy | ||
| Constitutional Law I: Federalism | ||
| Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Liberties | ||
| Alaska Government and Politics | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Democracy and Global Society | ||
| Comparative Indigenous Rights and Policies | ||
| Comparative Environmental Politics | ||
| Government and Politics of Canada | ||
| Political Development in Latin America and the Caribbean | ||
| Government and Politics of Russia | ||
| International Politics | ||
| International Politics | ||
| International Security | ||
| International Law and Organization | ||
| International Political Economy | ||
| United States Foreign Policy | ||
| International Relations of the North | ||
| International Law and the Environment | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Political Ideologies | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Classical Political Theory | ||
| Modern Political Theory | ||
| Contemporary Political Philosophy | ||
| PS elective courses | 12 | |
| Electives | ||
| General Electives | 10-15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Fulfills the baccalaureate capstone requirement.
Roadmaps
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
- This roadmap should be used in conjunction with regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or mentor each semester.
- Some courses and milestones must be completed in the semester listed to ensure timely graduation.
- Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
- Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
- Courses with (*) are recommended.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| MATH F113X (*)6 | 3 | ECON F101X (*)19 | 3 |
| PS F201X (*)5 | 3 | ENGL F270X (*)3 | 3 |
| WRTG F111X1 | 3 | LS F101X15 | 1 |
| General Education Requirement - Natural Sciences | 4 | PS F101X19,20 | 3 |
| Complete one of the following:4 | 3 | General Education Requirement - Natural Sciences | 4 |
PS F100X (*) | Complete one of the following:1 | 3 | |
COM F121X (*) | |||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| ANS F161X (*)8 | 3 | ART F200X (*)2 | 3 |
| PS F221X (*)14 | 3 | ENGL F200X (*)12 | 3 |
| PS F22220 | 3 | PS F314 (*)20,25 | 3 |
| RD F200X (*)4 | 3 | Degree Requirement - Humanities | 3 |
| Complete one of the following:1 | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
WRTG F211X (*) | |||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| PS F300X (*)11,25 | 3 | PS F323 (*)20,25 | 3 |
| PS F301 (*)20,25 | 3 | PS F403 (*)20,25 | 3 |
| Program Elective | 3 | Degree Requirement - Humanities or Social Sciences | 3 |
| Program Elective | 3 | Program Elective25 | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| Program Elective | 3 | Minor Course25 | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | General Elective25 | 3 |
| General Elective25 | 3 | General Elective25 | 3 |
| General Elective25 | 3 | Complete one of the following: (*)20,25 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes are measurable statements that describe knowledge or skills achieved by students upon completion of the program.
Students graduating from this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of core concepts and theories of the main political science sub-fields of American Government and Politics, Public and Constitutional Law, Comparative Politics, Political Theory and International Relations
- Demonstrate exposure to different ways of thinking about government and politics associated with diverse historical and cultural contexts, ideologies, economic systems and governing structures
- Demonstrate awareness of theories and practices related to contemporary studies of political science; demonstrate familiarity with a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods used to produce, understand and analyze the data used in governance, policymaking and political science scholarship
- Recognize assumptions, evaluate arguments and draw conclusions; this includes an awareness of how politics and policy shape problem definition and solution sets
- Develop a paper using cogent arguments and opinions supported by evidence on topics pertaining to their field of study
- Deliver a professional presentation and answer questions related to it with confidence
