Mar 06, 2025

2015-2016 EIU Undergraduate Catalog

HELP

2015-2016 EIU Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science (B.A.)

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Total Semester Hours required for the Degree: 120 semester hours

The major in Political Science comprises:

Semester Hours required for the Political Science Major: 40

Core Requirements (16 hours)

PLS 1153G - American Government and Constitution. Credits: 3
or
PLS 1193G - American Government and Constitution, Honors. Credits: 3
PLS 2001 - Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science. Credits: 1
PLS 2033 - Research Methods in Political Science. Credits: 3

Three of the following

PLS 2103 - Introduction to Political Theory. Credits: 3
PLS 2253G - Introduction to International Relations. Credits: 3
or
PLS 2293G - Introduction to International Relations, Honors. Credits: 3
PLS 1003 - Introduction to Comparative Politics. Credits: 3
PLS 2703 - Introduction to Public Policy. Credits: 3

Field Requirements (18 hours):

18 hours of 3000-4000 level courses, including at least one from each of the three fields (18 hours total)

Applied Political Science Experience (3 hours):

Political Science majors will complete at least three hours in one or more of the following experiences:

PLS 3970 - Study Abroad. Credits: 1 to 15
(See Footnote *)
PLS 4275 - Internship. Credits: 1 to 12
(See Footnote **)
PLS 4503 - Independent Study. Credits: 1 to 6
(See Footnote ***)
PLS 4444 - Honors Independent Study. Credits: 3
(See footnote #)
PLS 4555 - Honors Research. Credits: 3
(See footnote #)
PLS 4644 - Honors Thesis. Credits: 3
(See footnote #)
PLS 2503 - Legal Research and Argument. Credits: 3
PLS 25131 - Moot Court I. Credits: 1
or PLS 25132 or PLS 25133
(Limited to 3 hours of Political Science Credit)
PLS 26111 - Model Illinois Government I. Credits: 1
or PLS 26112
(Limited to 3 hours of Political Science Credit)

Political Science Capstone Course (3 hours):

All Political Science majors will complete a capstone course (PLS 4600), taken after students have completed at least 75 hours, including all Core Introductory Political Science requirements, and at least nine hours of Field Requirements.

PLS 4600 - Political Science Capstone. Credits: 3

Footnotes:

* Three credit hours will count for this requirement. Additional credit hours may be substituted for Field Requirements, with departmental approval.

** Three credit hours will count for this requirement. Additional credit hours cannot be substituted for Field Requirements, but will count towards degree completion.

*** Three credit hours will count for this requirement. Additional credit hours cannot be substituted for Field Requirements, but will be included in computing the major g.p.a.

# Students enrolled in Honors Independent Study, Research or Thesis must be enrolled in Political Science Departmental Honors.

Political Science with Civic and Nonprofit Leadership Option

Total Semester Hours required for the Degree: 120 semester hours

Total Semester Hours for the Major in Political Science with Civic & Nonprofit Leadership Option: 46 semester hours

Introductory Courses (13 hours):

PLS 1153G - American Government and Constitution. Credits: 3
or
PLS 1193G - American Government and Constitution, Honors. Credits: 3
PLS 2001 - Introduction to Research Methods in Political Science. Credits: 1
PLS 2033 - Research Methods in Political Science. Credits: 3
PLS 1003 - Introduction to Comparative Politics. Credits: 3
PLS 2103 - Introduction to Political Theory. Credits: 3

Required Courses (12 hours):

One 3000/4000 level course from the political theory/public law field (3)

PLS 4793 - Civic and Nonprofit Leadership. Credits: 3
PLS 4893 - Budgeting in Government and Nonprofit Organizations. Credits: 3
PLS 4873 - Human Resource Management in Public and Nonprofit Organizations. Credits: 3

Track Hours (12 hours from one track):

U.S. Leadership & Advocacy Track

PLS 2703 - Introduction to Public Policy. Credits: 3
(See Footnote *)
PLS 3603 (2603) - State and Local Government. Credits: 3
PLS 3733 - Interest Groups and Lobbying. Credits: 3
PLS 3723 - Political Behavior. Credits: 3
PLS 3763 - Environmental Politics and Policy. Credits: 3
PLS 3653 - American Indian Politics. Credits: 3
PLS 3703 - African American Politics. Credits: 3
PLS 3903 - Women & Politics. Credits: 3
PLS 3713 - Political Parties and Elections. Credits: 3
PLS 3863B - Special Topics in Political Science. Credits: 3
PLS 3743 - Congress. Credits: 3
PLS 3753 - The American Presidency. Credits: 3

Footnote:

* Students are required to complete PLS 2703 for this track.

Global Leadership & Advocacy Track

PLS 2253G - Introduction to International Relations. Credits: 3
(See Footnote *)
or
PLS 2293G - Introduction to International Relations, Honors. Credits: 3
(See Footnote *)
PLS 3223 - International Organizations. Credits: 3
PLS 3303 - European Politics and Governments Credits: 3
PLS 3253 - Human Rights and International Law. Credits: 3
PLS 3203 - American Foreign Policy. Credits: 3
PLS 3100 - Global Threats and Problems. Credits: 3
PLS 3353 - Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa. Credits: 3
PLS 3343 - Government and Politics of the Middle East. Credits: 3
PLS 3363 - Government and Politics in Asia-Pacific Rim. Credits: 3
PLS 3333 - Politics of Latin America and the Caribbean. Credits: 3
PLS 3373 - International Political Economy. Credits: 3
PLS 3863A - Special Topics in Political Science. Credits: 3
PLS 4823 - International Policy Issues. Credits: 3

Footnote:

* Students are required to complete PLS 2253G or PLS 2293G for this track.

Applied Learning (3 hours):

PLS 3970 - Study Abroad. Credits: 1 to 15
PLS 4275 - Internship. Credits: 1 to 12
PLS 4503 - Independent Study. Credits: 1 to 6
PLS 4444 - Honors Independent Study. Credits: 3
(See Footnote #)
PLS 4555 - Honors Research. Credits: 3
(See Footnote #)
PLS 4644 - Honors Thesis. Credits: 3
(See Footnote #)
PLS 2503 - Legal Research and Argument. Credits: 3
PLS 25131 - Moot Court I. Credits: 1
or
PLS 25132 - Moot Court II. Credits: 1
or
PLS 25133 - Moot Court III. Credits: 1
PLS 26111 - Model Illinois Government I. Credits: 1
or
PLS 26112 - Model Illinois Government II. Credits: 1

GIS Requirement (3 hours):

GEG 3810 - Geographic Information Systems I. Credits: 3

Capstone Requirement (3 hours):

PLS 4600 - Political Science Capstone. Credits: 3

Students are encouraged to take electives, minors, or a double-major in fields that complement their interests, including other social sciences, foreign languages, humanities, and business.

Footnote:

# Students enrolled in Honors Independent Study, Research or Thesis must be enrolled in Political Science Departmental Honors.

Recent Searches

Trending Searches

History

Recent Pages

Recent Searches

EIU Catalog

Say Hello.

Political Science (B.A.)

The major in Political Science comprises:

Core Requirements (16 hours)

Three of the following

Field Requirements (18 hours):

Comparative Politics & International Relations

American Politics, Public Policy & Public Administration

Public Law & Political Theory

Applied Political Science Experience (3 hours):

Political Science Capstone Course (3 hours):

Footnotes:

Political Science with Civic and Nonprofit Leadership Option

Introductory Courses (13 hours):

Required Courses (12 hours):

Track Hours (12 hours from one track):

U.S. Leadership & Advocacy Track

Footnote:

Global Leadership & Advocacy Track

Footnote:

Applied Learning (3 hours):

GIS Requirement (3 hours):

Capstone Requirement (3 hours):

Students are encouraged to take electives, minors, or a double-major in fields that complement their interests, including other social sciences, foreign languages, humanities, and business.

Footnote: