School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Sociology, History, and Political Science

Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science
The Bachelor of Arts degree in History/Political Science is an undergraduate program that provides students with an opportunity to concentrate in History, Political Science, or Law and Society. The degree prepares students for a wide array of employment possibilities in government, public administration, public history and museums as well as post-graduate opportunities in law, history, political science and public administration.

Requirements:
See “Degree Requirements” Section under “Humanities and Social Sciences”. The History/Political Science major consists of 30 credit hours that must be completed with a grade of C– or better in each course. See a History/Political Science advisor for additional information concerning degree-specific opportunities and requirements. The following courses are required of all History/Political Science majors:
  • POLS-Y 103 Introduction to American Politics (taken towards general education)
  • HIST-H 105 American History I (taken towards general education)
  • HIST-H 106 American History II (taken towards general education)
  • HSS-S 400 Senior Seminar
Tracks for History/Political Science Degree History Track (30 cr.)
  • Six Upper-level History Courses
  • HSS-S 400 Senior Seminar

(Students are encouraged to take HIST-H 495 or HIST-H 496 as part of the above requirements)

Two of the following:

  • POLS-Y 215 Introduction to Political Theory
  • POLS-Y 217 Introduction to Comparative Politics
  • POLS-Y 219 Introduction to International Relations
  • Upper-level Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective

Political Science Track (30 cr.)
Two of the following:
  • POLS-Y 215 Introduction to Political Theory
  • POLS-Y 217 Introduction to Comparative Politics
  • POLS-Y 219 Introduction to International Relations
  • Four Upper-level Political Science Courses
  • HSS-S 400 Senior Seminar

(Students are encouraged to take POLS-Y 480 or POLS-Y 481 as part of the above requirements)

  • Two Upper-level History Courses
  • HSS-S 400 Senior Seminar
  • Upper-level Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective
Law and Society Track (36 cr.)
History/Political Science Foundation
  • POLS-Y 215 Introduction to Political Theory
  • Two Upper-Level History Courses (one on US history, one on world history)
  • One Upper-Level Political Science Course
Humanities Foundation
  • Choose one of: PHIL-P 342 Problems in Ethics, PHIL-P 345 Problems in Social and Political Philosophy, or PHIL-P 375 Philosophy of Law
  • Any one ENG E or ENG-L 300+ literature course except ENG-L 390 and ENG-L 391
  • Choose one of: SPCH-S 228 Argumentation and Debate, SPCH-C 310 Rhetoric and Public Address, SPCH-C 321 Persuasion, SPCH-C 325 Interviewing, SPCH-C 444 Political Communication
  • Law Specific Electives (3 classes from 2 different majors, 2 of which must be at the 300 level or higher from the below courses)
    • Criminal Justice: CJHS-J 320 Substantive Criminal Law, CJHS-J 220 American Criminal Courts, CJHS-J 210 Introduction to Law Enforcement, CJHS-J 324 Correctional Law, CJHS-J 409 Crime and Public Policy, CJHS-J 321 Court Procedures and Evidence, CJHS-J 305 The Juvenile Justice System
    • Public Administration and Health Management; PAHM-V 376 Law and Public Policy
    • Sociology: SOC-S 325 Criminology, SOC-S 328 Juvenile Delinquency, SOC-S 360 Topics in Social Policy: Family Violence, SOC-S 420 Topics in Deviance
    • Psychology: PSYC-P 322 Psychology in the Courtroom
    • Business: BUS-L 200 Elements of Business Law, BUS-L 201 Legal Environment of Business
    • Internship and Capstone
  • Required internship as either HIST-H 496 or POLS-Y 481
  • HSS -S 400 Senior Seminar

Note: Under the History and Political Science tracks the following Criminal Justice and Public Administration courses may be used as political science options: CJHS-J 320, Substantive Criminal Law; PAHM-V 264, Urban Structure and Policy; and PAHM-V 376, Law and Public Policy.

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