Programs
Four concentration programs are offered, all leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree: the General Program in Political Science; the Honors Program; the Teacher's Certificate Program; and the Joint Program in Social Sciences with an emphasis in Political Science (see Social Sciences in the general catalog). A Minor in Political Science and a Teacher's Certificate Minor are also available. In addition, the department contributes to the Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration.
Students interested in internships should consult the statement on Public Agency Internships in the “Experiential Education” section of the general catalog. Students interested in pre-law should consult the “Law Studies Information” section of the general catalog.
The Department expects Political Science majors to participate in the assessment of learning outcomes. The Assessment Plan in Political Science, including goals, methods, and outcomes is available at the department office and at http://assessment.umflint.edu.
I. General Program in Political Science
This program is intended to meet the needs of students planning to continue their studies in political science or related fields at the graduate level, or planning to prepare for professional work in such fields as government, law, education and journalism.
Prerequisites: Three introductory-level social sciences courses, taken in two different disciplines, and including one of the following sequences: a two semester introductory sequence in either American History (HIS 220, 221) or History of Western Civilization (HIS 110, 111) or World Civilizations (HIS 112, 113) or Principles of Economics (ECN 201, 202). Area Options. One of the two required area options must be in a foreign language.
Requirements:
A. POL 120 and 190, to be completed before election of political science courses numbered above 200.
B. POL 301.
C. Six credits in political theory from: POL 222 OR 401; 261, 360, 361, 362, 365, 380.
D. At least two courses above the introductory series selected from EACH of the following groups:
I. American politics and public administration. POL 304, 305, 309, 311, 312, 316, 321, 322, 323, 326, 327, 329, 331, 375, 381, 387, 420, 422, 428, 430.
II. Comparative politics and international relations. POL 230, 245, 333, 340, 343, 344, 345, 346, 351, 359, 437, 441.
E. Electives in political science to complete a total of 33 credits in political science courses.
F. Nine credits at the 300 level or above in related social sciences chosen in consultation with the advisor, including at least three credits of POL/PUB 390.
II. Honors Program in Political Science
Prerequisites: Three introductory level social sciences courses, taken in two different disciplines, and including one of the following sequences: a two semester introductory sequence in either American History (HIS 220, 221) or History of Western Civilization (HIS 110, 111) or Principles of Economics (ECN 201, 202). Area Options. One of the two required area options must be in a foreign language, as stated in the University Honor Scholar Program.
Requirements:
A. Completion of all requirements for the General Program in Political Science (Note: With the agreement of the Department, students may be permitted to substitute another course for the required internship in a public or community agency.)
B. One of the following courses in research methods to be chosen in consultation with the honors advisor: SOC 210 or 215 or a course in statistics, or a course in statistics, normally taken in the first semester of the junior year.
C. POL 494/HON 393, normally taken in the junior year as preparation for the honors project.
D. POL/HON 495, taken during the senior year. Credit and grade for POL/HON 495 are not given until completion of POL 496 and the honors thesis.
Honors Program students with an interest in Political Science are urged to acquaint themselves with the faculty and discipline as early as possible and to apply formally to the Department for the Honors Program in Political Science no later than their sophomore year. The Department will meet with individual Honors applicants to work out the details of their course work and honors project.
III. Teacher's Certificate Program
Faculty Advisor: Prof. Peggy Kahn
The Teacher's Certificate Program in Political Science is designed for students preparing to teach government in a secondary school. For the teaching certificate, the State of Michigan’s Department of Education also requires a minor. A minor in another social science, such as history or economics, chosen in consultation with an advisor, is strongly recommended. Students may not complete both an interdisciplinary social studies major or minor and a political science major or minor for teaching.
Prerequisites: Completion of prerequisites for the General Program in Political Science. These are three introductory level social science courses, taken in two different disciplines, including one of the following sequences: a two semester introductory sequence in American History (HIS 220, 221), History of Western Civilization (HIS 210, 211) or Principles of Economics (ECN 201, 202)
General Education and Area Options: Students must satisfy the General Education Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree and foreign language is a required area option.
Requirements:
A minimum of 30 credit hours in political science, as follows:
A. POL 120; 190; 230 or 437; 311 or 312 (12 credits).
A course in comparative politics from: POL 340, 343, 344, 345, 351, 359, 441 (3 credits).
At least two courses in American politics, one from each category:
U.S. national institutions: POL 323, 326, 327, 329 (3 credits).
U.S. political processes: POL 303, 309, 321, 322, 380 (3 credits).
A course in political theory from: POL 222, 261, 360, 361, 365, 401. (3 credits). POL 261, 361, 401 highly recommended.
A course with a primary emphasis upon politics, society and racial-ethnic, class, and gender diversity: POL 304 or 331. (3 credits).
Electives to complete a total of at least 30 credit hours in Political Science.
In addition, students must meet the following requirements in the Education Department:
A. EDU 302, 303, 305 (9 credits).
B. EDU 363 Teaching Social Science in Middle and Secondary Schools (3 credits).
C. EDU/ENG 410 Improvement of Reading in the Middle and Secondary School (3 credits).
D. EDU 359 Student Teaching Seminar (2 credits).
E. EDU 369 Student Teaching in the Secondary School (10 credits).
Students who wish to receive Teacher’s Certification must apply for admission to the Education Program. Deadlines for applying are January 15 and September 15. Requirements for admission are (1): admissions to UM-F; (2) overall grade point average of 2.75; (3) 2.75 grade point average in the major and minor; (4) at least 18 hours completed in the major and 12 hours completed in the minor; (5) passing score on the MTTV Basic Skills Test; PSY 100 and PSY 237 or equivalents with a C or better; (7) CSC with a grade of C or better; and (8) completion of at least 55 credit hours. Prospective students should study the Department of Education section of this catalog, particularly the statements titled, “General Requirements for Teacher Certification” and “Secondary Education Teacher’s Certificate Programs.”
IV. Minor in Political Science
Requirements: Eighteen credits distributed as follows:
A. POL 120 and 190 to be completed before election of political science courses numbered 200 or above
B. A course in political theory selected from: POL 222, 261, 360, 361, 365, 380, 401.
C. A course in American government selected from: POL 311, 321, 323, 326, 327, 329, 331, 375, 428, 430.
D. A course in public administration or urban politics selected from: POL 309, 312, 316, 390.
E. A course in comparative politics and international relations selected from: POL 230, 245, 333, 340, 343, 344, 345, 351, 359, 437, 441.
V. Teacher's Certificate Minor
Requirements: Twenty-one credits including:
A. POL 120, 190; POL 311 or 312 (9 credits).
1. A course in comparative politics or international relations from: POL 230, 340, 343, 344, 345, 351, 359, 437 (3 credits).
2. A course in American national politics or political processes from: POL 303, 309, 321, 322, 323, 326, 327, 329 (3 credits).
3. A course with primary emphasis upon politics, society and race, gender and class diversity: POL 304 or 331 (3 credits).
4. Additional courses in political science to bring the total to at least 21 credits. At least one course from POL 261, 361, 401 (recommended).
