Political Science B.A.

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Minimum Requirements for Political Science B.A.: 120 credits

Students must earn a C- grade or better in each course.

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 F101XIntroduction to American Government and Politics3
PS F222Political Science Research Methods3
Complete one of the following: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 Electives10-15
Total Credits120

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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