Government & Law, BS
The Government and Law program includes a core of courses essential for all public sector-related careers, plus a systematic study of political and governmental institutions and behavior. It focuses on governmental services, political theory, American and international law, political parties and interest groups, public opinion, and research methods. This degree seeks to prepare students for careers, advancement, or graduate studies in government, politics, law, and other political science-related fields.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Understand the structure and perspective of Political Science.
- Understand the research processes of Political Science.
- Understand the institutions of government, politics, and law at the local, state, national and international levels.
- Understand alternative political systems.
- Understand the importance of civic engagement in American society.
- Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
- Demonstrate the ability to analyze data and textual materials, and to think critically.
Program Requirements
No grades of D in upper division courses are allowed. Upper division courses are all courses other than those of Areas A through F. 1000- or 2000-level courses used in the upper division are included in this restriction.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core IMPACTS | 42 | |
| All core curriculum recommendations are shown under the Core IMPACTS section of the Undergraduate Graduation Requirements. | ||
| Field of Study - Government & Law 1 | 18 | |
| POLS 2101 | Intro to Political Science | 3 |
| POLS 2201 | State & Local Government | 3 |
| SOSC 2500 | Intro to Research Methods | 3 |
| Lower Division Electives | ||
| Select 3 Lower Division (1000-2000) Courses with the Following Prefixes: AFAM, CRJU, ECON, FREN, HIST, MATH, PARA, PHIL, POLS, PSYC, SOCI, SOSC, SPAN, WST. | 9 | |
| Intro to Global Issues (If not taken in Core IMPACTS) | ||
| Upper Division Major Requirements | 18 | |
| POLS 3220 | Judicial Process | 3 |
| POLS 3323 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLS 3343 | Principles of Public Admin. | 3 |
| POLS 3350 | International Relations | 3 |
| POLS 3360 | The U.S. Congress & Presidency | 3 |
| SOSC 4490 | Social Sciences Internship | 3 |
| Upper Division Major Related Electives | 12 | |
| Choose four courses (12 credit hours) from upper division (3000-4000 level) POLS courses not used to meet other areas of the major. | ||
| Upper Division Open Electives | 18 | |
| Choose 6 courses (18 credit hours) from upper division (3000-4000 level) courses. | ||
| Free Elective | 12 | |
| Choose 4 courses (12 credit hours) of (1000-4000 level) courses. Excludes PHED activity courses; MSL courses; courses offered for institutional credit only; and career program courses not specifically approved in advance. 2 | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |