Political Science
Bradley’s political science major, available as a B.A. or B.S., gives you a global perspective on governing systems to prepare you for a career in business, foreign affairs, government, law, politics or journalism. Because many related careers require graduate degrees, it’s a good starting point for future studies.
Preparing You for Success
You sharpen your critical-thinking skills and understanding of current events by studying the world’s political systems, political theory and international relations. Classes encourage you to research topics of interest and discuss your findings with faculty and classmates. The major gives you flexibility to add a second major, such as economics, English, history or public relations.
By the time you graduate, your experiences include:
- Research with faculty
- Internships in campaign management and organization, economic development, urban planning, law and criminal justice
- Opportunities to gain firsthand knowledge of political systems by studying abroad or in Washington, D.C.
- Networking and career development through organizations such as the Pre-Law Club, Mock Trial Team and Pi Sigma Alpha honor society
Making Your Mark
Political science graduates are active in state capitols, city halls, local media newsrooms, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, law firms and private corporations. Others have pursued graduate degrees at institutions such as the University of Southern California, University of Colorado, Harvard University, Northwestern University and University of Illinois.
Major Requirements
Required Courses - 15 hrs.
- PLS 105: Introduction to American Government - 3 hrs.
- PLS 205: Introduction to Comparative Politics - 3 hrs.
- PLS 207: Introduction to Political Thought - 3 hrs.
- PLS 208: Fundamentals of International Relations - 3 hrs.
- PLS 209: Scope and Methods of Political Science - 3 hrs.
In addition to the above required courses, students must take four courses from the following list of elective courses, with a minimum of one course in each of three separate sub-fields.
American Politics Courses
- PLS 301: Topics in American Politics - 3 hrs.
- PLS 310: Political Behavior - 3 hrs.
- PLS 311: Political Parties Electorate and Politics - 3 hrs.
- PLS 312: State and Local Politics - 3 hrs.
- PLS 314: The U.S. Congress - 3 hrs.
- PLS 315: The U.S. Presidency - 3 hrs.
- PLS 360: Judicial Politics - 3 hrs.
- PLS 419: Introduction to Public Administration - 3 hrs.
- PLS 420: Public Personnel Administration - 3 hrs.
- PLS 421: The Politics of Regulation - 3 hrs.
- PLS 422: Urban Politics - 3 hrs.
- PLS 459: Constitutional Law - 3 hrs.
- PLS 460: Constitutional Law - 3 hrs.
- PLS 494: Seminar in American Politics - 3 hrs.
Comparative Politics
- PLS 303: Sub-Saharan African Politics - 3 hrs.
- PLS 304: Governments of West Europe - 3 hrs.
- PLS 305: Topics in Comparative Government - 3 hrs.
- PLS 305: Topics in Comparative Government - 3 hrs.
- PLS 306: Comparative Public Policy - 3 hrs.
- PLS 491: Seminar in Comparative Politics - 3 hrs.
International Relations
- PLS 302: Topics in International Relations - 3 hrs.
- PLS 317: International Law - 3 hrs.
- PLS 318: International Organization - 3 hrs.
- PLS 319: International Political Economy - 3 hrs.
- PLS 492: Seminar in International Relations - 3 hrs.
- IS 312: American Foreign Policy - 3 hrs.
- IS 410: Globalization in World Affairs - 3 hrs.
Political Theory
- PLS 300: Topics in Political Thought - 3 hrs.
- PLS 307: Classical Political Philosophy - 3 hrs.
- PLS 308: Modern Political Philosophy - 3 hrs.
- PLS 309: Gender and Sexuality in Political Thought - 3 hrs.
- PLS 407: American Political Thought - 3 hrs.
- PLS 493: Seminar in Political Theory - 3 hrs.
Finally, students are required to take one senior seminar designed to be a capstone experience.
- PLS 491: Seminar in Comparative Politics - 3 hrs.
- PLS 492: Seminar in International Relations - 3 hrs.
- PLS 493: Seminar in Political Theory - 3 hrs.
- PLS 494: Seminar in American Politics - 3 hrs.
Course Sequence
Sample program plan information is provided for sample purposes only. Students should consult with their academic advisor about their individual plan for course registration and completion of program requirements.
| First Year - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| PLS 105 | Introduction to American Government (SB)** | 3 hours |
| ENG 101 | English Composition (WI) | 3 hours |
| MTH101 OR MTH 111 (QR) |
The Art of Mathematical Thinking OR Elementary Statistics |
3-4 hours |
| LAS 101 | LAS Freshman Seminar | 3 hours |
| Elective | 3-4 hours | |
| Total | 15-17 hours | |
| First Year - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| PLS 205 | Intro to Comparative Politics (SB) | 3 hours |
| COM 103 | Oral Communication Process (OC) | 3 hours |
| FA | Core Electives | 3 hours |
| NS | Core Electives | 3-4 hours |
| Elective/Foreign language/Science | 3-4 hours | |
| Total | 15-17 hours | |
| Sophomore - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| PLS 207 | Introduction to Political Theory (HU) | 3 hours |
| PLS 208 | Fundamentals of International Relations (GS) | 3 hours |
| ECO 100 OR ECO 221 OR ECO 222 |
Introduction to Economics OR Principles of Microeconomics OR Principles of Macroeconomics |
3 hours |
| PSY 101 OR SOC 100 |
Principles of Psychology OR Sociological Perspective |
3 hours |
| Elective/Foreign language/Science | 3-4 hours | |
| Total | 15-16 hours | |
| Sophomore - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| PLS 209 | Scope and Methods of Political Science (WI) *** | 3 hours |
| Multi-disciplinary Integration (MI) | 3 hours | |
| Core Elective (2) | 6 hours | |
| Elective/Foreign language/Science | 3-4 hours | |
| Total | 15-16 hours | |
| Junior - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| PLS Subfield 1 Course | 300/400 level American Politics course | 3 hours |
| PLS Subfield 2 Course | 300/400 level Political Theory course | 3 hours |
| ENG 300-306 | English 300 course (W2) | 3 hours |
| PLS 480 | Internship (EL) | 3 hours |
| Upper Division Elective **** | 3-4 hours | |
| Total | 15-16 hours | |
| Junior - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| PLS Subfield 3 Course | 300/400 level Comparative Politics course | 3 hours |
| PLS Subfield 4 Course | 300/400 level International Relations course | 3 hours |
| Elective (WI) | 3 hours | |
| Upper Division Elective (2) | 6 hours | |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Senior - Fall Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| PLS Subfield Course | 300/400 level Political Science course | 3 hours |
| PLS 480/485 | Internship or Research with Faculty (EL) | 3 hours |
| Upper Division Elective (3) | 9 hours | |
| Total | 15 hours | |
| Senior - Spring Semester | ||
|---|---|---|
| PLS Senior Seminar | Political Science 491, 492, 493, or 494 | 3 hours |
| PLS 484/485 | Independent Study or Research with Faculty (EL) | 3 hours |
| Upper Division Elective (3) | 9 hours | |
| Total | 15 hours | |
Total Hours: 120-127*
* A Minimum of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
** 6 hours of courses in a major can count toward BCC areas of inquiry requirements.
*** Courses tagged at Writing Intensive (WI) or Experiential Learning (EL) can also count for BCC areas of inquiry requirements or major requirements
**** A minimum of 40 hours of courses at the 300 or 400 level are required for graduation. 30 hours of those courses must come from courses taken in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.