Political Science
Contact Information
Phone: 325-674-2095
Majors:Political Science (BA)
| Faculty
Course Descriptions
|
The Department of Political Science offers the Bachelor of Arts degree in political science. The Department of Political Science also offers the BA with a concentration in international relations and comparative politics for political science majors desiring a focused study of world politics. A minor in political science may be added to other majors.
Introduction
The purpose of the Department of Political Science is to help students understand domestic and international politics and to prepare them for informed and active participation in the political arena and public service.
Opportunities for careers include:
• Government Service. Public service is a major emphasis of the department. ACU’s
Public Service Internship Program gives outstanding students part-time, public-sector
work experience along with their course work. Students are eligible for up to 6 hours
credit in this program.
• Communication Journalism. Politics and media are intertwined, and students
preparing for a career in broadcasting or journalism should be informed about politics
and government.
• Law. Political science is an excellent preparation for law school, and many recent
graduates have gone on to successful careers in the various fields of law.
• Secondary Teaching. The Department of History, in cooperation with the Department of
Political Science and the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, offers a Bachelor of
Science (BS) degree with a teaching specialization in social studies.
• College Teaching. The department gives a broad exposure to politics and government,
which is excellent preparation for graduate study and teaching at the community college,
senior college or university level.
Study Abroad Expectations
All students are encouraged to participate in ACU’s Study Abroad program. Classes offered at Study Abroad sites vary depending on the site. Academic advisors can assist students in planning ahead for their Study Abroad experience and should be consulted during the freshman year.
Admission Requirements
Before being admitted to the Bachelor of Arts in political science program, a student must satisfy the requirements listed in the ACT/SAT Placement Information section of this catalog.
POLITICAL SCIENCE (BA)
BA: POLITICAL SCIENCE DEGREE PLAN (POLS) ______________________________________________________________________ | |
|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CORE | |
| Bible | |
BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus .................................................................... BIBL 102 Acts-Revelation ..................................................................................... BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament ................................................................ BIBL 212 Christianity in Culture ............................................................................ BIBD 486 Ethics .................................................................................................. | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| English | |
ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric ..................................................................... Sophomore Literature .......................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Speech | |
| COMS 111 Fundamentals of Communication .......................................................... | 3 |
| History | |
| HIST 100-299 ..................................................................................................... | 3 |
| Science | |
| Choose from (must include two different fields): biology, chemistry, geology, physics, AENV 130, ANSC 111, ANSC 235, ENVR 112, NUTR 120 ....................... | 6 |
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 120, MATH 123, MATW 120/020, or higher (except MATH 147) ......................... | 3 |
| Exercise Science | |
| EXSC 100 + 3 activities ....................................................................................... | 4 |
| University Seminar | |
| UNIV 100 ........................................................................................................... | 1 |
| TOTAL UNIVERSITY CORE ...................................................................................... | 41 |
| BA DEGREE CORE | |
| English | |
ENGL 112 Composition and Literature ................................................................... Sophomore Literature .......................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Social Sciences/Humanities | |
ECON 260 Macroeconomics .................................................................................. POLS 225 National Government ............................................................................ Choose from: anthropology, geography, philosophy, psychology | 3 3
3 |
| Foreign Language | |
| FLFR, FLGE, FLLA, FLSP 221, 222 ........................................................................... | 6 |
| Fine Arts | |
| Choose one: ART 101, MUSM 230, MUSM 231, MUSM 232, MUSM 233, THEA 220 or THEA 250 ..................................................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL BA CORE ..................................................................................................... | 24 |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| Non-Advanced Course Work | |
| POLS 226 States and Federal System .................................................................... | 3 |
| Research Methods | |
| POLS 315 Research Methods ................................................................................ | 4 |
| Advanced Course Work | |
POLS 492 American Political Thought (writing-intensive course) or POLS 493 Topics in Contemporary Political Thought (writing-intensive course) ..... | 3 |
| Advanced Course Selections | |
American (choose two courses): ......................................................................... POLS 328 Urban Politics POLS 341 American Public Policy POLS 381 American Political Process POLS 382 American Presidency POLS 383 Congress and Legislative Process POLS 385 American Foreign Policy Public Administration (choose one course): ....................................................... POLS 395 Public Administration (recommended) POLS 494 Public Administration Management POLS 497 Topics in Public Administration International Relations (choose one course): .................................................... POLS 483 International Relations POLS 484 International Law and Organization POLS 485 International Political Economy POLS 488 Topics in International Politics Comparative Politics (choose one course): ........................................................ POLS 344 Comparative Politics POLS 345 Comparative Public Policy POLS 357 West European Politics POLS 358 CIS and East European Politics POLS 360 Politics of Developing Countries POLS 361 Politics of the Middle East Political Theory (choose one course): ................................................................ POLS 490 Early Political Theory POLS 491 Recent Political Theory Public Law (choose one course): ........................................................................ POLS 384 American Judicial Process POLS 431 Constitutional Law: Powers POLS 432 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights Advanced POLS Selection ................................................................................ | 6
3
3
3
3 3
3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 34 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR | |
ECON 261 Microeconomics ................................................................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 3 |
| ELECTIVES | |
| Minimum ............................................................................................................ | 26 |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum grade for each course in major ............................................................... Minimum GPA in major ........................................................................................ Minimum GPA for graduation ................................................................................ Minimum advanced hours .................................................................................... Minimum total hours ............................................................................................ | C 2.25 2.00 33 128 |
Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | |
Concentration in International Relations and Comparative Politics
The Department of Political Science also offers the BA with a concentration in international relations and comparative politics for political science majors desiring a focused study of world politics.
BA: POLITICAL SCIENCE (CONCENTRATION IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS) DEGREE PLAN (POLS) (IRCP) ______________________________________________________________________ | |
|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY CORE | |
| Bible | |
BIBL 101 Life and Teachings of Jesus .................................................................... BIBL 102 Acts-Revelation ..................................................................................... BIBL 211 Message of the Old Testament ................................................................ BIBL 212 Christianity in Culture ............................................................................ BIBD 486 Ethics .................................................................................................. | 3 3 3 3 3 |
| English | |
ENGL 111 Composition and Rhetoric ..................................................................... Sophomore Literature .......................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Speech | |
| COMS 111 Fundamentals of Communication .......................................................... | 3 |
| History | |
| HIST 100-299 ..................................................................................................... | 3 |
| Science | |
Choose from (must include two different fields): biology, chemistry, geology, physics, AENV 130, ANSC 111, ANSC 235, ENVR 112, NUTR 120 ....................... | 6 |
| Mathematics | |
| MATH 120, MATH 123, MATW 120/020, or higher (except MATH 147) ......................... | 3 |
| Exercise Science | |
| EXSC 100 + 3 activities ....................................................................................... | 4 |
| University Seminar | |
| UNIV 100 ........................................................................................................... | 1 |
| TOTAL UNIVERSITY CORE ...................................................................................... | 41 |
| BA DEGREE CORE | |
| English | |
ENGL 112 Composition and Literature ................................................................... Sophomore Literature .......................................................................................... | 3 3 |
| Social Sciences/Humanities | |
ECON 260 Macroeconomics .................................................................................. POLS 225 National Government ............................................................................ Choose from: anthropology, geography, philosophy, psychology | 3 3
3 |
| Foreign Language | |
| FLFR, FLGE, FLLA, FLSP 221, 222 ........................................................................... | 6 |
| Fine Arts | |
| Choose one: ART 101, MUSM 230, MUSM 231, MUSM 232, MUSM 233, THEA 220 or THEA 250 ..................................................................... | 3 |
| TOTAL BA CORE ..................................................................................................... | 24 |
| MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | |
| Non-Advanced Course Work | |
| POLS 226 States and Federal System .................................................................... | 3 |
| Research Methods | |
| POLS 315 Research Methods ................................................................................ | 4 |
| Advanced Course Work | |
POLS 492 American Political Thought (writing-intensive course) or POLS 493 Topics in Contemporary Political Thought (writing-intensive course) ..... | 3 |
| Advanced Course Selections | |
American (choose one course): .......................................................................... POLS 328 Urban Politics POLS 341 American Public Policy POLS 381 American Political Process POLS 382 American Presidency POLS 383 Congress and Legislative Process POLS 385 American Foreign Policy Public Administration POLS 395 Public Administration ....................................................................... International Relations POLS 483 International Relations ..................................................................... Choose two courses: ...................................................................................... POLS 484 International Law and Organization POLS 485 International Political Economy POLS 488 Topics in International Politics Comparative Politics POLS 344 Comparative Politics ........................................................................ Choose two courses: ...................................................................................... POLS 345 Comparative Public Policy POLS 357 West European Politics POLS 358 CIS and East European Politics POLS 360 Politics of Developing Countries POLS 361 Politics of the Middle East Political Theory (choose one course): ................................................................ POLS 490 Early Political Theory POLS 491 Recent Political Theory Public Law (choose one course): ......................................................................... POLS 384 American Judicial Process POLS 431 Constitutional Law: Powers POLS 432 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights ACU Study Abroad Program Participation | 3
3
3 6
3 6
3
3 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 40 |
| SUPPLEMENT FOR MAJOR | |
| Economics | |
ECON 261 Microeconomics ................................................................................... | 3 |
| Foreign Language | |
| Choose two courses: FLFR, FLSP 300-499 .............................................................. | 6 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 9 |
| ELECTIVES | |
| Minimum ............................................................................................................ | 14 |
| OTHER GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS | |
Minimum grade for each course in major ............................................................... Minimum GPA in major ........................................................................................ Minimum GPA for graduation ................................................................................ Minimum advanced hours .................................................................................... Minimum total hours ............................................................................................ | C 2.25 2.00 33 128 |
Courses numbered 0** do not count in minimum hours required for degree. | |
The minor in political science requires 18 hours, of which 12 must be advanced.
| MINOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE (POLS) | |
|---|---|
POLS 100-499 ..................................................................................................... POLS 300-499 ..................................................................................................... | 6 12 |
| TOTAL .................................................................................................................... | 18 |
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