Political Science Major - Bachelor of Science (BS)
(All colleges)
36 credits, at least 18 credits of which must be at the 300/400-level.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Political science foundation: | ||
| POL 110 | Exploring Puzzles in Politics and Government | 3 |
| Select nine credits from the following introductory courses: | 9 | |
| American National Government | ||
or POL 102 | State and Local Government | |
| Comparing Politics and Governments Around the World | ||
| International Relations in a Changing World | ||
| Foundations of Political Thought | ||
| Women and Politics | ||
| Political science areas of inquiry: | ||
| Select three credits at the 300/400-level in three of the following four areas of inquiry (see lists below): | 9 | |
American government | ||
Comparative politics | ||
International relations | ||
Political theory | ||
| Methods, skills, and experiential learning 1 | ||
| Select six credits from the methods, skills, and experiential learning list of courses (see below). At least three credits must come from political science (POL) courses. | 6 | |
| Political science electives: | ||
| Select an additional six credits of electives from political science (POL) or public administration (PUB) courses not used to satisfy other requirements in the major. | 6 | |
| Political science capstone: | ||
| POL 494 | Capstone Seminar in Politics and Government | 3 |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
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Students may request to apply political science (POL) faculty-led study abroad courses towards the "Methods, Skills, and Experiential Learning" requirement instead of other requirements in the major.
A maximum of three credits from each repeatable political science (POL) course may be applied to the political science major.
Double majors in political science and public administration may only count POL 261, POL 361, and POL 494 towards the completion of both majors.
American government
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POL 301 | American Presidency | 3 |
| POL 302 | Legislative Process | 3 |
| POL 303 | Wisconsin Government and Politics | 3 |
| POL 304 | Politics and the Media | 3 |
| POL 305 | Political Parties | 3 |
| POL 306 | Judicial Process | 3 |
| POL 308 | Interest Group Politics | 3 |
| POL 309 | Identity Politics and Polarization | 3 |
| POL 319 | Campaigns and Elections | 3 |
| POL 325 | Politics of Mass Incarceration | 3 |
| POL 370 | Constitutional Law I: Powers of Government | 3 |
| POL 371 | Constitutional Law II: The First Amendment | 3 |
| POL 372 | Constitutional Law III: Racial, Gender and Targeted Group Discrimination | 3 |
| POL 373 | Constitutional Law IV: Rights of the Accused | 3 |
| POL 374 | Constitutional Law V: Right to Life | 3 |
| POL 375 | Constitutional Law VI: Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| POL 376 | Constitutional Law VII: Administrative Law | 3 |
| POL 377 | Constitutional Law VIII: 1787 and Original Intent | 3 |
Comparative politics
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POL 330 | Politics of Developing Areas | 3 |
| POL 331 | Politics of Democratization | 3 |
| POL 332 | Contentious Politics and Human Rights | 3 |
| POL 334 | Post-Communist Politics | 3 |
| POL 335 | Comparative Law | 3 |
| POL 336 | Middle Eastern Government and Politics | 3 |
| POL 338 | European Government and Politics | 3 |
International relations
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POL 340 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| POL 341 | America and the World | 3 |
| POL 344 | Global Governance | 3 |
| POL 345 | International Law | 3 |
| POL 347 | Peace and Conflict | 3 |
Political theory
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POL 350 | American Political Theory | 3 |
| POL 351 | Classical Political Theory | 3 |
| POL 353 | Modern and Contemporary Political Theory | 3 |
| POL 355 | Political Ideologies | 3 |
Methods, skills, and experiential learning
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POL 261 | Political Inquiry and Analysis | 3 |
| POL 310 | Public Opinion and Political Behavior | 3 |
| POL 346 | Model United Nations | 1-3 |
| POL 361 | Research Methods in Politics and Government | 3 |
| POL 367 | Strategic Political Communication | 3 |
| POL 450 | Internship in Political Science | 1-12 |
| POL 451 | Internship in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| POL 498 | Honors Research in Politics and Government | 3 |
| POL 499 | Independent Study in Political Science | 1-3 |
| CST 211 | Communication and Civic Engagement | 3 |
| CST 213 | Public Advocacy and Dialogue | 3 |
| CST 310 | Debate | 3 |
| CST 413 | Persuasive Campaigns | 3 |
| ENG 307 | Workplace Writing | 3 |
| ENG 314 | Grant Writing | 3 |
| ENG 335 | Introduction to Professional and Technical Writing | 3 |
The option to complete the political science major online is available to students who have completed an associate’s degree (or the Core General Education Requirements for the bachelor's degree). This flexible format allows students to complete upper-level coursework remotely while maintaining the same academic standards as the on-campus program. It’s an ideal path for transfer students or working professionals looking to advance their education in political science. Interested students are encouraged to meet with the department chair to discuss eligibility and next steps.
All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements to qualify for a degree. All enrolled students have access to a degree audit to track all of these requirements.
College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities (CASSH/VPA) Bachelor of Science core requirements
The college core provides opportunities for students to deepen their knowledge by taking courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and/or sciences beyond the Core General Education Requirements (CGER). Students may select from courses offered by the full range of academic departments within the college according to their interests. The college core allows students to build their critical thinking, communication, problem solving, teamwork, and global competencies through in-depth exploration of topics of their choosing.
The following conditions apply:
- Students majoring in English (writing and rhetoric or literary and cultural studies emphases only) or in the Department of Global Cultures and Languages must earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Teacher education majors earn a Bachelor of Science degree and follow the School of Education core. Students majoring in other CASSH programs may choose either a B.A. or a B.S. degree.
- Courses completed for the college core cannot overlap with CGER or the student's first major except where otherwise stated. The college core is in addition to those degree requirements. Overlap with a second major, minor, or certificate is allowed.
- Courses approved for use in the college core:
- Fine arts category: 150-300 level in ART, 100-300 level in MUS or THA.
- Humanities category: 100-300 level in CHI, FRE, GCL, JPN, HCK,
HMG, RUS, or SPA, SPE 207, SPE 214, CST 211, CST 213,
CST 310 , CST 312, CST 315 , CST 319, CST 338 , CST 410 ,
CST 412 , CST 413 , CST 415 , CST 419 ,
100-300 level in PHL, 200-300 level in ENG or HIS,
MS 402, RGS 207, RGS 210, RGS 308, RGS 309, RGS 321, RGS 360,
RGS 374. - Social science category: 100-300 level in ANT, ARC, CRIM, ENV,
POL, PUB, or SOC, CST 190, CST 230, CST 260, CST 271,
CST 280, CST 301, CST 321, CST 322, CST 330, CST 331, CST 332,
CST 333, CST 334, CST 336, CST 337, CST 339, CST 350, CST 351,
CST 353, CST 354, CST 358, CST 360, CST 365, CST 378, CST 380,
CST 388, PSY 100,100 level in RGS,
RGS 205, RGS 303, RGS 307, RGS 314, RGS 316, RGS 320, RGS 322,
RGS 328, RGS 337, RGS 340, RGS 350, RGS 353, RGS 362, RGS 373,
RGS 377, RGS 409. Students with a declared minor in child/youth
care or psychology may request additional courses from those programs be applied to the core by contacting the CASSH Academic Services Director.
Diversity course requirement
All students in CASSH must complete at least one diversity course from within CASSH. This course can overlap with CGER, major, minor, or other degree requirements. Select from the 100-400 level in ANT, ARC, CHI, CRIM, FRE, GCL, GER, HCK, HMG, JPN, RUS, SOC, SPA, or RGS; or from the following:
ART 215, ART 251, ART 301, ART 331, ART 332, ART 335, CST 271,
CST 332, CST 337, CST 419, ENG 207, ENG 208, ENG 210, ENG 212,
ENG 215, ENG 220, ENG 336, ENG 357, ENG 360, ENV 350, ENV 351,
ENV 352, ENV 353, ENV 354, HIS 195, HIS 220, HIS 230, HIS 250,
HIS 260, HIS 285, HIS 310, HIS 319, HIS 327, HIS 328, HIS 329,
HIS 330, HIS 333, HIS 335, HIS 336, HIS 338, HIS 345, HIS 357,
HIS 359, HIS 360, HIS 362, HIS 363, HIS 377, HIS 383, HIS 386,
HIS 389, HIS 390, INS 494, MUS 205, MUS 209, MUS 377, PHL 212,
PHL 335, PHL 336, PHL 349, POL 130, POL 140, POL 202, POL 205,
POL 309, POL 325, POL 330, POL 332, POL 335, POL 336, POL 340,
POL 341, POL 344, POL 345, POL 346, POL 355, PUB 210, PSY 282,
PSY 283, PSY 318, PSY 319, PSY 325, PSY 360, THA 130, THA 351.
Bachelor of Science course requirement
Bachelor of Science students complete four courses as follows:
- A lab science course from:
ANT 102, BIO 100, BIO 105, BIO 203, BIO 312,BIO 313, CHM 103,
CHM 104, ESS 205, ESS 206, GEO 101, GEO 221, GEO 222, MIC 100,
MIC 230, PHY 103, PHY 104, PHY 106, PHY 155, PHY 160, PHY 203,
PHY 204; and - An approved college core social science course; and
- An additional course from the previously listed lab sciences, college core social science, or a qualitative course from: CS 101, CS 115, CS 120, CT 100, FIN 207, MTH 115, MTH 116, MTH 123, MTH 150, MTH 151, MTH 160, MTH 175, MTH 207, MTH 208, MTH 215, MTH 216, STAT 145, STAT 245; and
- One course from the college core fine arts or humanities categories.
Second major, minor, certificates, or individualized option requirement
In addition to all other College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities core requirements, all students in CASSH must complete one of the following:
- Complete a second major outside of the student's major program; or
- Complete a minor outside of the student's major program, consisting of at least 18 credits; or
- Complete two certificates outside of the student's major program with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400-level; or
- Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits that are in addition to the minimum credits required in the CGER. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400-level outside the major department. The remaining six credits may consist of:
- 100-level or higher courses outside the major; or
- 300/400-level courses inside the major department not being used to fulfill major requirements.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
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Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.
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The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.
No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.
Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.
The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use their degree audit and work closely with their advisor(s) and college dean's office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
Core General Education Program
The Core General Education Requirement (CGER) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include CGER placeholders to ensure completion of the core general education requirements. The CGER category listed in parentheses indicated the recommended course to help complete CGER and the program requirements. Transferred courses may alter the plan. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. CGER courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the Core General Education Requirements for more specific details.
At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level.
Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take The Eagle Advantage for College Success (UWL 100, 2 cr.) or FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.
This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| POL 110 | 3 | POL Introductory Course1 | 3 |
| UWL 100 or FYS 100 (CGER SBS-FS Social & Behavioral Science: Social Foundation for Success) | 2 | ENG 110 (CGER CL-WL Communication & Literacy: Written Literacy) | 3 |
| CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics | 2 | CGER NSWL-ES Natural Science & Wellness: Experiential Science | 4 |
| CST 110 (CGER CL-SL Communication & Literacy: Spoken Literacy) | 3 | CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us2 | 3 |
| STAT 145 (CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning) | 4 | University Elective | 2 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| POL Introductory Course1 | 3 | POL Introductory Course1 | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course | 3 | POL Methods, Skills, and Experiential Learning | 3 |
| CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics | 1 | CGER NSW-MBP Natural Science & Wellness: Mind, Body, & Planet | 3 |
| CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World 2 | 3 | CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States | 3 |
| University Elective | 2 | Minor Course | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| POL Methods, Skills, and Experiential Learning | 3 | POL Areas of Inquiry Course | 3 |
| POL Areas of Inquiry Course | 3 | POL Elective Course | 3 |
| CGER CL-SWT Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell2 | 3 | CASSH Core Diversity Course | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course - Experiential Science | 4 | Minor Course | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| POL Areas of Inquiry Course | 3 | POL 494 | 3 |
| POL Elective Course | 3 | CASSH Core Course | 3 |
| CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies2 | 3 | Minor Course | 3 |
| CASSH Core Course | 3 | University Elective | 3 |
| Minor Course | 3 | University Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
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Selected POL Introductory Courses may also satisfy the following Core General Education Requirements: POL 101 and POL 102 CGER - Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies (CGER SBS-BS), POL 205 CGER Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States (CGER CP-CU), POL 130 CGER - Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World (CGER CP-CW), POL 244 CGER - Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us (CGER HA-PDU), and POL 251 CGER - Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell (CGER CL-SWT).
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If a selected POL Introductory Course is being used to satisfy CGER, the student will need to select another university elective to reach the required 120 degree credits.