Political Science
Students who choose the political science major can concentrate in three separate areas: general political science, legal studies, or public policy and public administration.
Foundations
B.A. students in political science at Valpo must complete the general-education requirements for the B.A. This University-wide core strengthens communication and critical-thinking skills while introducing the student to global cultures and traditions. General-education requirements for the B.A. (.pdf) »
Requirements for the Major
| POLS 120 | The Government of the United States | 3 credits |
| POLS 130 | Comparative Politics | 3 credits |
| POLS 240 | Political Theory | 3 credits |
| POLS 493 | Senior Seminar in Political Science | 3 credits |
One concentration from the following options:
| 18 credits | |
| TOTAL | 30 credits | |
Legal Studies Concentration
| At least 15 credits from the following options:POLS 170 The Field of Law POLS 261 State and Local Politics in the United States POLS 271 The Judicial Process POLS 352 Model United Nations POLS 371 Constitutional Law I POLS 372 Constitutional Law II POLS 386 Internship in Political Science POLS 390 Topics, Political Science POLS 450 International Regimes and Global Governance POLS 490 Advance Topics, Political Science | 15 credits |
| Three additional political science credits | 3 credits |
| TOTAL | 18 credits |
Public Policy and Administration Concentration
| POLS 360 | Public Administration | 3 credits |
| POLS 361 | Public Policy | 3 credits |
| At least nine credits from the following options: POLS 210 Research Methods in Political Science POLS 221 Political Behavior POLS 261 State and Local Politics POLS 271 The Judicial Process POLS 320 Politics of Urban Areas POLS 326 The Presidency POLS 327 Congress POLS 342 Political Ideologies POLS 386 Internship in Political Science POLS 390 Topics, Political Science POLS 437 Comparative Public Policy POLS 438 Gender and Public Policy in Global Perspective POLS 490 Advance Topics, Political Science | 9 credits | |
| Three additional political science credits | 3 credits | |
| TOTAL | 18 credits | |
General Political Science
| Eighteen credits of political science courses | 18 credits |
| TOTAL | 18 credits |