UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Political Science

Students may seek either an academic major or minor in political science.

Major in Political Science

A major in political science provides students with valuable, comprehensive knowledge of American government and global politics, preparing them to analyze complex political problems and recognize potential solutions in both the public and private sector. Students gain an understanding of political structure, theory and methodology. They develop their research skills and sense of intellectual property using libraries, archives and online sources. They develop their writing skills and learn the responsibility for clearly presenting and interpreting political issues using the language of the discipline. Students with a major in political science will be able to analyze complex political problems and recognize potential solutions in both the public and private sectors.

Objectives

The student who graduates with a major in political science will be able to

  • Explain political theories and the forms and structures of government and discuss their impact upon the political process and policy development.
  • Discuss how public policy shapes societies.
  • Compare and contrast public decision making and its implementation in domestic and foreign settings.
  • Describe how various governmental and nongovernmental organizations contribute to global politics.
  • Apply effectively a variety of approaches and methodologies to the analysis of political, administrative and policy issues.
  • Demonstrate awareness of the ethical issues associated with the study and application of political science in the theoretical and practical realm.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in political science requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 30 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 49 credits in the minor, electives and other degree requirements. At least 15 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Political Science Major - Course Requirements

Coursework for a major in political science includes the following:

  • Required foundation course (3 credits): GVPT 100
  • Core courses (15 credits): GVPT 101 (or 444), 170 (or 475), 200 (or 401) and 280 and STAT 200 (Note minimum requirements for upper level coursework.)
  • Supplemental major courses (12 credits): Any upper-level GVPT courses

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in political science. Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Coursework for the major is indicated by ‡

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

  • EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3) (strongly recommended as first course)
  • LIBS 150 Information Literacy and Research Methods (1)
  • WRTG 101/101X Introduction to Writing (3)
  • MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3) or higher-level math course
  • ‡ GVPT 100 Introduction to Political Science (3)

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

  • SOCY 100 Introduction to Sociology (3) or other ANTH, BEHS, ECON, GEOG, GVPT, PSYC, SOCY or eligible AASP, CCJS, GERO or WMST course to fulfill the first behavioral and social sciences requirement
  • Both BIOL 101 Concepts of Biology (3) and BIOL 102 Laboratory in Biology (1) or BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology or other course(s) to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory requirement
  • WRTG 291 Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing requirement
  • IFSM 201 Introduction to Computer-Based Systems (3) or CMST 303 Advanced Application Software
  • PHIL 140 Contemporary Moral Issues (3) or a foreign language course or other ARTH, ARTT, HIST, HUMN, MUSC, PHIL, THET, dance or literature course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement
  • ‡ GVPT 280 Comparative Politics and Government (3)

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

  • HIST 142 Western Civilization II (3) or HIST 157 History of the United States Since 1865 or other ARTH or HIST course to fulfill the arts and humanities requirement in historical perspective (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
  • ‡ GVPT 170 American Government (3) or GVPT 475 The Presidency and the Executive Branch (3)
  • PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology (3) or other course to fulfill the second behavioral and social sciences requirement (discipline must differ from first)
  • NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3) or ASTR 100 Introduction to Astronomy or other course to fulfill the biological and physical sciences lecture requirement
  • ‡ GVPT 200 International Political Relations (3) or GVPT 401 Problems of World Politics
  • SPCH 100 Foundations of Speech Communication (3) or COMM 380 Language in Social Contexts or other course to fulfill the communications/ writing or speech requirement
  • ‡ STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics (3)
  • IFSM 304 Ethics in the Information Age (3) or other course to fulfill the interdisciplinary issues/computing requirement

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

  • WRTG 391/391X Advanced Expository and Research Writing (3) or other course to fulfill the communications/ upper-level advanced writing requirement
  • ‡ GVPT 444 American Political Theory (3) or GVPT 101 Introduction to Political Theory (3)  
  • ‡ GVPT 403 Law, Morality and War (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ GVPT 406 Global Terrorism (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ GVPT 457 American Foreign Policy (3) or other supplemental major course
  • ‡ GVPT 404 Democratization (3) or other supplemental major course

Minor and/or Elective Courses (to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses) (46)

Total credits for BS in political science: 120