Political Science Major and Minor Requirements

Department Chair: R. Smith 
Department Members: A. Fetter-Harrott, R. Smith 
Major: Political Science, Political Economy 
Minors: Political Science, International Relations, Political Economy 

The political science department provides the means by which, within the liberal arts curriculum, undergraduate students learn to understand the political process (at both domestic and international levels.) The place of political science in a liberal arts setting has been established for the better part of 3,000 years. The department offers two sets of courses: one concerned with international politics, and another concerned with American politics. Like the ancient Greek philosophers, political science is concerned both with understanding and evaluating the processes which allocate societal values. In so doing, our students will be able to appreciate and understand these two levels of the political process. The department offers core coursework within two majors, which each focus on different aspects of the study of politics. 

The major in Political Science builds from a core academic and philosophical examination of politics through to practical application. Students majoring in Political Science live the connection between theory and practice as they explore the interplay of politics/law in their choice of an immersive learning experience. Throughout the rest of the curriculum students expand upon this knowledge and experience base to build a formidable resume that includes completion of their own independent research prior to graduation. As a result of this training, students will be able to think analytically about the problems that face humankind internationally and domestically. They will be prepared for such things as law school, graduate school, employment by government at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as careers in teaching. 

All political science majors and minors must earn a grade of C- or better in all required political science courses. Students majoring in political science must complete the 29 semester hours of political science with a minimum graduation GPA of 2.00 (A=4.00). Students wishing to minor in political science or international relations must complete all required courses with a minimum graduation GPA of 2.00 (A=4.00). 

The major in Political Economy is Franklin College’s interdisciplinary major. Coursework within the major examines the relationship between politics and economics in modern societies and focuses on problems of both domestic and international policy. Students majoring in Political Economy study the political and economic factors that affect, and are affected by, systems of production, exchange, and distribution. That is, political economy majors analyze how international and domestic political factors interact with micro- and macro-economic factors to determine outcomes in a wide variety of areas including globalization, international trade and finance, regulation, development, taxes, and income distribution. As a result, students will be able to think logically and analytically about the problems that face humankind internationally and domestically. They will be prepared for law school, graduate school and employment by private sectors and government at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as careers in teaching. 

All political economy majors and minors must earn a grade of C- or better in all required coursework for the major, minor and related field. Students majoring in political economy must complete the all required major/minor courses with a minimum graduation GPA of 2.00 (A=4.00).. Furthermore, regardless of major, all students taking economics courses must complete all prerequisites with a C- or better. 

Political Science Major 

Core Requirements 
POL 110 American National Government 
POL 360 Social and Political Thought 
POL 469 Methods of Political Inquiry 
POL 470 Senior Seminar 
POL 499 Senior Competency Practicum 
MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics 

One of the following courses 
POL 410 American Constitutional Law I: Powers and Duties 
POL 420 American Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Liberties 

Immersive Learning Requirement – one of the following courses 
POL 225 State and Local Government 
POL 234 American Political Participation 
POL 275 Law and Politics in American Society 

Any other experiential course relating to political science by approval of the Department 

Two of the following coursesnot the same courses as used above 
POL 225 State and Local Government 
POL 234 American Political Participation 
POL 275 Law and Politics in American Society 
POL 316 American Presidency 
POL 317 American Congress 
POL 336 Introduction to Public Policy 
POL 350 Public Administration 
POL 410 American Constitutional Law I: Powers and Duties 
POL 420 American Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Liberties 

Two of the following coursesnot the same course as used above 
POL 120 Introduction to International Relations 
POL 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics 
POL 320 International Security and Conflict Management 
POL 341 International Law and Organizations 
POL 355 Comparative Politics in Developed Countries 
POL 390 American Foreign Policy 

Additional POL credits, if necessary, to meet the minimum required of 25 hours beyond POL 110. 

Professional Development Requirements 
POL 498 Portfolio (take with POL 470) 
SNR/SNT489 (POL) Senior Internship/Project 

Related Field Requirement 
Twelve semester hours in a related field such as journalism, philosophy, history, economics, psychology, or sociology (any variations must be approved by the department and submitted in writing to the Academic Records Office). Courses may be taken outside these departments for a related field only with the consent of the chairperson of the department of political science. All related field courses must be completed with a grade of D or better. 

NOTE: POL 110 should be taken before the completion of the sophomore year. 

Political Economy Major 
Cannot be combined with Economics and/or Political Science majors 

Core requirements 
Political Science Field 
POL 110 American National Government 
POL 120 Introduction to International Relations 
POL 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics 
POL 336 Introduction to Public Policy 
POL 360 Social and Political Thought 

Economics Field 
ECO 115 Principles of Economics 
ECO 223 Intermediate Macroeconomics 

Statistics Field 
ECO 380 Econometrics 

Senior Capstone Courses 
ECO 475 Strategic Implementation Project 
ECO 499 Senior Competency Practicum or POL 499 Senior Competency Practicum 

Elective courses 
Political Science Field – choose three courses from the following 
POL 316 American Presidency 
POL 317 American Congress 
POL 320 International Security and Conflict Management 
POL 341 International Law and Organizations 
POL 350 Public Administration 
POL 390 American Foreign Policy 
POL 410 American Constitutional Law I: Powers and Duties 
POL 420 American Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Liberties 

Economics Field – choose two courses from the following 
ECO 330 Money and Banking 
ECO 350 International Business and Finance 
ECO 360 Labor Economics and Management 

Professional Development Requirement 
PDP 200 Preparing for Your Internship 
INT XXX Internship in Economics or related field (4 credits) or SNR/SNT489 (POL) Senior Internship/Project (4-6 credits) 
ECO 498 Portfolio or POL 498 Portfolio (take with POL 470) 

Related Field Requirement 
MAT 131 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis 
MAT 224 Basic Applied Statistics 

Two of the following courses 
ACC 341 Introduction to Taxation 
BUS 341 Business Law I 
PHL 220 Principles of Ethics 
PSY 320 Social Psychology 
SOC 210 Criminal Justice 
SOC 321 Criminology 

Other courses approved by faculty from both political science and economics 

Political Science Minor 

Core requirements 
POL 110 American National Government 
POL 120 Introduction to International Relations 
POL 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics 
POL 360 Social and Political Thought 

One of the following courses 
POL 410 American Constitutional Law I: Powers and Duties 
POL 420 American Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Liberties 

International Relations Minor 
Note: This minor is not available to political science majors. 

Core requirements 
POL 120 Introduction to International Relations 
POL 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics 
POL 341 International Law and Organizations 
POL 360 Social and Political Thought 

One of the following courses 
BUS/ECO 350 International Business and Finance 
CAN/POL 355 Comparative Politics in Developed Countries 
HIS 361 East Asian History 
HIS 365 History of the Middle East 
PHL/REL 250 Living Religions East 

Two semesters of a foreign language offered by Franklin College. 

Political Economy Minor 
Note: This minor is not available to political science majors or minors, economics majors or minors, or international relations minors. 

Core requirements 
Political Science Field 
POL 110 American National Government 
POL 120 Introduction to International Relations 
POL 336 Introduction to Public Policy 

Economics Field 
ECO 115 Principles of Economics 
ECO 223 Intermediate Macroeconomics 

Elective courses 
Political Science Field – choose one course from the following 
POL 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics 
POL 225 State and Local Government 
POL 316 American Presidency 
POL 317 American Congress 
POL 360 Social and Political Thought 

Economics Field – choose one course from the following 
ECO 330 Money and Banking 
ECO 350 International Business and Finance 
ECO 360 Labor Economics and Management 

Revised 11-22-21