Political Science Major
Acceptance to Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POLS 111 | Introduction to U.S. Politics (or equivalent) | 4 |
| POLS 121 | Introduction to International Relations | 4 |
| Select at least one of the following: | 4 | |
| Political Theory: An Introduction | ||
| Research Methods in Political Science | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Courts, Law and Policy | ||
Minimum Grade and/or GPA for required courses: 2.00 GPA
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.00
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| 4 of the following | 16 | |
| Introduction to U.S. Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Political Theory: An Introduction | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Courts, Law and Policy | ||
| POLS 222 | Research Methods in Political Science | 4 |
| POLS (300-Level) | 16 | |
| POLS (300-Level) 1 | 1-4 | |
| One of the following | 4 | |
| Research Seminar in Public Affairs | ||
| Research Seminar in Law | ||
| Research Seminar in Political Institutions | ||
| Research Seminar in International Relations and Comparative Politics | ||
| Research Seminar in Political Theory | ||
| Total Hours | 41-44 | |
- 1
Must be a course with an EX or an approved POLS study abroad course.
Additional Requirements:
General Education Requirements:
All undergraduate students must complete the requirements of the Integrations Curriculum (IC) which is designed to ensure all of our students receive a liberal arts education. Please review details of the Integrations Curriculum requirements here.
Graduation Requirements:
In addition to the Integrations Curriculum, all undergraduate students must meet the following minimum degree requirements to earn their degree from CSB and SJU.
Credits: 124 total credits, 40 of which must be from upper division coursework
GPA: 2.0 or higher*
Residency: At least 24 of your last 32 credits must be completed at CSB and SJU
Please visit Graduation under the Academic Policies and Regulations portion of the catalog for additional details regarding degree requirements.
* Cumulative GPA as well as major(s)/minor(s) GPA. Please note some majors/minors may require a higher GPA to earn their degree.
Comprehensive exam, senior year.
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| INTG 105 | The Lookout | 1 |
| INTG 100 or INTG 205 |
Learning Foundations or Transfer Seminar |
4 |
| Langauge 111 | 4 | |
| POLS 111 | Introduction to U.S. Politics | 4 |
| THEO 100 | Theological Explorations | 4 |
| Hours | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 121 | Introduction to International Relations | 4 |
| Language 112 | 4 | |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Language 211 | 4 | |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| POLS 221 | Political Theory: An Introduction | 4 |
| POLS 224 | Courts, Law and Policy | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 222 | Research Methods in Political Science | 4 |
| MATH 1@@ 1 | 4 | |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| POLS 336 | State and Local Government | 4 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Study Abroad 2 | 16 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 350D | Political Psychology & Behavior | 4 |
| POLS 324 | Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties | 4 |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 362 | Research Seminar in Law | 4 |
| POLS 331 | U.S. Political Parties and Elections | 4 |
| Theological Integrations (TI) | 4 | |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| INTG 300 | Learning Integrations | 4 |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| Integrations Requirement or Elective | 4 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Total Hours | 129 | |
- 1
MATH 124 Probability and Statistical Inference is AS, QR, and Justice or Truth depending.
- 2
Most programs include a POLS course which would count for major.
Integrations Curriculum Requirements
The standard requirements for the Political Science major will fulfill the following integrations requirements: CI, HE, QR, SW, WR, GL, EX. Depending on elective course selection, it can also fulfill 1 or 2 Themes and other requirements. Please see below for a list of integrations requirements you will need to satisfy via elective courses.
Integrations Designations
See Integrations Curriculum under Academic Policies and Regulations for further description of the general education requirements.
Foundational Courses
| Code | Integrations Requirement |
|---|---|
| CI | Cultural/Social Difference - Identity |
| LF | Learning Foundations (INTG 100) |
| College Success (INTG 105) | |
| TE | Theological Exploration (THEO 100) |
Ways of Thinking
| Code | Integrations Requirement |
|---|---|
| AE | Artistic Expression |
| AS | Abstract Structures |
| HE | Human Experience |
| NW | Natural World |
| SW | Social World |
Upper-level Courses
| Column1 | Column2 |
|---|---|
| CS | Cultural/Social Differences - Systems |
| LI | Learning Integrations |
| TI | Theological Integrations |
Thematic Coursework
To complete the themes course requirement: students will successfully complete 3 courses in the same theme (Truth, Justice, or Movement), in at least 2 different departments, at least 1 of which is a thematic focus course (TF/JF/MF). The other two can be Focus or Encounter courses. Encounter courses can be identified by: T1/T3, J1/J3, M1/M3.
| Code | Integrations Requirement |
|---|---|
| J1, J3, JF, or M1, M3, MF, or T1, T3, TF | Thematic Encounter or Focus Course |
| J1, J3, JF, or M1, M3, MF, or T1, T3, TF | Thematic Encounter or Focus Course |
| JF, MF, or TF | Thematic Focus Course |
Global Language
| Code | Integrations Requirement |
|---|---|
| 111 | Beginning I Course |
| 112 | Beginning II Course |
| 211 | Intermediate Course |
For more details on meeting this requirement, please see the Integrations Curriculum tab on Global Language Requirements.
Engagement and Designation Requirements
| Code | Integrations Requirement |
|---|---|
| AR | Artistic Engagement |
| BN | Benedictine Raven* |
| EX | Experiential Engagement |
| GL | Global Engagement** |
| QR | Quantitative Reasoning |
| WR | Writing Designation |
- *
BN and WR waived for students entering during Academic Year 2020 and 2021.
- **
GL waived for students entering during Academic Years 2020-2025