2021-2022 University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Political Science, BA
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About the ProgramAre you interested in American politics? International affairs? Critical issues such as health, the environment, civil rights? Theories concerning the ideal government and how power and resources are allocated in society? Political science is the study of governments, public policies, and political behavior. Political science uses both humanistic and scientific perspectives and skills to examine the United States, all countries and regions of the world. As a political science major, you will hone the writing, communication, and analytical skills that are critical to a liberal arts education. This kind of education will prepare you to think critically and independently, with tolerance for others and concern for current affairs. Students select one area of specialization from four sub-fields: American political systems, processes, and behavior; comparative political systems, processes, and behavior; international relations; public policy and political theory. Political science training also provides valuable preparation for participating in community organizations, electoral politics, movements on behalf of specific policies, and especially for seeking elective or appointive positions in government. Please visit Political Science for more information. 3 Year DegreesThe College of Liberal Arts offers the opportunity for students to complete their degree in three years. Degree in 3 majors allow students to enter the work force or graduate school a year earlier than traditional plans of study while also providing a cost-effective way to complete an undergraduate degree. Students can complete the three-year option with or without AP credit by adding summer sessions to traditional coursework in Fall and Spring semesters. Degree in 3 offers a great combination of cost-savings and the opportunity to accelerate your future and achieve your goals.
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Degree Requirements
120 Credits RequiredLiberal Arts Curriculum
Each liberal arts major is designed as a four-year plan of study and includes three types of courses: Major, Core, and Elective. Most students take five courses per semester, with some of each type. Professional academic advisors meet individually with each of our students on a regular basis to help with course selection, academic planning, and career development, as well as to help students find additional resources on campus. Departmental/Program Major Courses Requirements (33 credits)
A. Required Course in Introductory Political Science (3 credits)
Choose one of the following courses. B. Introduction to Political Analysis Methods (3 credits)
C. Areas of Political Science: Specialization (9 credits)
- Choose three courses from one of the four POL Areas listed here.
- At least three credits of which shall be numbered 30000 or higher.
D. Areas of Political Science: Breadth (15 credits)
- Choose five courses in POL from this list , at least two of which shall be numbered 40000 level or higher. Students must select at least one course from two areas other than those in Requirement C.
- I. American Political Systems, Processes, and Behavior
- II. Comparative Political Systems, Processes, and Behavior
- III. International Relations
- IV. Public Policy and Political Theory
E. Capstone Course (3 credits)
Choose one of the following: Other Departmental (31-55 credits)
The College of Liberal Arts Other Departmental area is designed to be experiential, informative, and relevant to life in a rapidly changing universe. It combines courses that fulfill University Core foundational outcomes, discipline diversity, social diversity, and other languages to produce a well-rounded background for students. Coursework is integrative and collaborative and fosters insight, understanding, independence, initiative, and the desire to reach across divides and redefine our relationship to the peoples and the worlds that surround us. Core I: Disciplinary Diversity (6-18 credits)
Choose 1 course in 6 different disciplines within the College of Liberal Arts. Note: Disciplines are differentiated by course prefix. Undistributed credit does not count to satisfy this requirement. Core II: Social Diversity (1-3 credits)
Culture, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnicity all play a role in how others perceive us and how we experience the world, and as such, are meaningful categories for analyzing social change and social problems past and present. The purpose of this category is to acquaint students with the pluralistic nature of the world and foster an appreciation and awareness of the diverse range of lived human experience. Courses in this list will expose students to important aspects of human diversity and foster understanding about different world views.
Choose 1 from the Social Diversity Selective List .
Core III: Linguistic Diversity (3-4 credits)
Proficiency through Level IV in one world language. Courses may be required to reach Level IV proficiency; these courses will be counted toward electives. Foundational Requirements (21-30 credits)
Students must complete approved coursework that meet the following foundational outcomes. Many of these can also be used to fulfill Core I, Core II, or Core III. - Humanities - all approved courses accepted.
- Behavioral/Social Science - all approved courses accepted.
- Information Literacy - all approved courses accepted.
- Science #1 - all approved courses accepted.
- Science #2 - all approved courses accepted.
- Science, Technology, and Society - all approved courses accepted.
- Written Communication - all approved courses accepted.
- Oral Communication - all approved courses accepted.
- Quantitative Reasoning - all approved courses accepted.
Notes
- Double counting of courses is allowed across the various categories.
- All accredited programs whose accreditation is threatened by CLA Core requirement, both professional BAs and BFAs, are exempt from Liberal Arts Core I & II in order to meet accreditation standards and requirements. Liberal Arts Core III: Linguistic Diversity is still required for such programs.
- “Degree +” students (students with a second major outside of Liberal Arts) are exempt from the CLA Core.
Optional Concentration (9-12 credits)
Electives (32-56 credits)
University Requirements
University Core Requirements
For a complete listing of University Core Course Selectives, visit the University Senate Website.
- Human Cultures: Behavioral/Social Science (BSS)
- Human Cultures: Humanities (HUM)
- Information Literacy (IL)
- Oral Communication (OC)
- Quantitative Reasoning (QR)
- Science #1 (SCI)
- Science #2 (SCI)
- Science, Technology, and Society (STS)
- Written Communication (WC)
Civics Literacy Proficiency Requirement:
The Civics Literacy Proficiency activities are designed to develop civic knowledge of Purdue students in an effort to graduate a more informed citizenry.
Students will complete the Proficiency by passing a test of civic knowledge, and completing one of three paths:
- Attending six approved civics-related events and completing an assessment for each; or
- Completing 12 podcasts created by the Purdue Center for C-SPAN Scholarship and Engagement that use C-SPAN material and completing an assessment for each; or
- Earning a passing grade for one of these approved courses (or transferring in approved AP or departmental credit in lieu of taking a course)
For more information visit the Civics Literacy Proficiency website.
Prerequisite Information:
For current pre-requisites for courses, click here.
Spring 1st Year
- Written Communication - Credit Hours: 3.00-4.00 (CLA Core I: 4 of 6)
- POL Area C: Specialization - Credit Hours: 3.00
- World Language Level II - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Quantitative Reasoning - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Science - Credit Hours: 3.00
Fall 2nd Year
- POL 30000 - Introduction To Political Analysis
- POL Requirement D: Breadth - Credit Hours: 3.00
- World Language Level III - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Science, Technology, and Society (CLA Core I: 5 of 6) - Credit Hours: 3.00
- CLA Core II: Diversity Selective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Spring 2nd Year
- POL Requirement D: Breadth - Credit Hours: 3.00
- World Language Level IV - Credit Hours: 3.00 (CLA Core I: 6 of 6 and CLA Core III)
- Science - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective- Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Fall 3rd Year
- POL Area C: Specialization (40000 level) - Credit Hours: 3.00
- POL Area C: Specialization (40000 level) - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Spring 3rd Year
- POL Requirement D: Breadth - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective- Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective- Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Fall 4th Year
- POL Requirement D: Breadth - Credit Hours: 3.00
- POL Requirement E: Capstone - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Spring 4th Year
- POL Requirement D: Breadth - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
- Elective - Credit Hours: 3.00
Notes
- Political Science Majors must earn a “C-” or better in any course used to fulfill a major requirement. The P/NP option is not available for this requirement.
- 2.0 Graduation GPA required for Bachelor of Arts degree.
- 32 credit hours at 30000 level or higher required for Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Liberal Arts offers a streamlined plan of study for students pursuing a second degree outside of CLA. Contact the CLA Advising Office for more information.
- Consultation with an advisor may result in an altered plan customized for an individual student.
- Consultation with an advisor may result in an altered plan customized for an individual student.
College of Liberal Arts Pass/No Pass Option Policy
- P/NP cannot be used to satisfy Liberal Arts Core, Liberal Arts major, minor, or certificate requirements.
World Language Courses
World Language proficiency requirements vary by program. The following list is inclusive of all world languages PWL offers for credit; for acceptable languages and proficiency levels, see your advisor.
| ASL-American Sign Language |
ARAB-Arabic |
CHNS-Chinese |
FR-French |
| GER-German |
GREK-Greek (Ancient) |
HEBR-Hebrew (Biblical) |
HEBR-Hebrew (modern) |
| ITAL-Italian |
JPNS-Japanese |
KOR-Korean |
LATN-Latin |
| PTGS-Portuguese |
RUSS-Russian |
SPAN-Spanish |
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Critical Course
The ♦ course is considered critical.
In alignment with the Degree Map Guidance for Indiana’s Public Colleges and Universities, published by the Commission for Higher Education (pursuant to HEA 1348-2013), a Critical Course is identified as “one that a student must be able to pass to persist and succeed in a particular major. Students who want to be nurses, for example, should know that they are expected to be proficient in courses like biology in order to be successful. These would be identified by the institutions for each degree program”.
Disclaimer
The student is ultimately responsible for knowing and completing all degree requirements.
The myPurduePlan powered by DegreeWorks is the knowledge source for specific requirements and completion.
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