UMUC

School of Undergraduate Studies

Political Science

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

Major in Political Science

The major in political science offers systematic study of politics, including the way people are governed and govern themselves in a wide variety of settings. The curriculum focuses on fundamental principles, enduring issues of politics, forms of government, public policy, public law, and public administration from both domestic and international perspectives. It explores political, cultural, and philosophical influences on public policy and policy making. By enabling students to understand the role of government at local, state, and national levels in domestic and foreign settings, the program prepares graduates to become more effective global citizens as well as preparing them to enter or advance careers in government service, private corporations, nonprofit organizations, or advanced study in law, business, journalism, or graduate school.

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, policy development, and comparative and international politics.
  • Discuss how public policy shapes a society’s approach to such issues as national security, health, education, wealth distribution, and the environment.
  • 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.
  • Analyze recurrent patterns of international political conflict, identify underlying political issues, and suggest alternative resolutions.
  • Identify techniques of conflict resolution (including negotiation, compromise, and accommodation) that are appropriate at various points along the policy continuum.
  • Apply critical thinking and analytic and effective communication skills (oral and written) in discussing and resolving political issues.
  • Apply effectively a variety of approaches and methodologies to the analysis of political, administrative, and policy problems.
  • Utilize information technology effectively for the research of political literature.

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 101 Introduction to Political Theory (3)  or GVPT 444 American Political Theory
  • 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 intensive writing requirement
  • ‡ GVPT 475 The Presidency and the Executive Branch (3) or GVPT 170 American Government
  • ‡ Any upper-level GVPT course (3) (supplemental major course)
  • ‡ A supplemental major course (3)
  • ‡ A supplemental major course (3)
  • ‡ A supplemental major course (3)

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