Political Science, BA

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Program Description

Students of Political Science study governments: how they evolve, why they exist, the forms and social functions they assume, why they change, and who controls them. To understand governments, students of Political Science also study politics: how people behave in their relationship to government, what they do to influence government, and how government attempts to influence people’s behavior and beliefs about what it does. Students of politics appreciate how cultural, historical, and economic forces affect the evolution of governments and mass political behavior.

The Bachelor of Arts program in Political Science focuses on three areas of instruction:

1. American politics, including legislative and executive institutions, political parties and interest groups, public administration, public opinion and elections, and state and urban government.

2. International relations and comparative politics, including American foreign policy, European, Latin American, Middle Eastern, Russian, African, and Asian politics; national security policy, terrorism, human rights, and developing political systems;

3. Law and the courts, and political theory, including public law, judicial politics, constitutional law, criminal justice, civil liberties, and environmental law, feminist theory, political philosophy, political ideologies, the history of political thought, and political analysis.

Admission Requirements

Students can be admitted into the College of Liberal Arts after completing ENG 1100 or ENG 1140 with a grade of C or by completing at least two other Wright State Core courses taught by the College with a grade of “C” or higher.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with the BA in Political Science will be able to:

• apply analytical tools to analyze problems relevant to the public sector or the nonprofit sector.
• use critical thinking skills to analyze and evaluate local, national, or global political, legal, or social issues.
• communicate effectively in writing.
• demonstrate an understanding of the value of diversity and multicultural competence in today’s global environment.

Political Science Honors Program

Political Science majors may earn departmental honors by completing the following requirements:

1. Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.5 in all Political Science course work and a 3.0 in cumulative GPA overall in all course work,

2. Complete an honors project (20-page minimum) associated with a 4000-level course in Political Science with a grade of A or B (interested students should contact the chair of the School of Social Sciences and International Studies for more information).

By completing these requirements and the eight-course Honors Program requirement, majors may earn the designation “University Honors Scholar” upon graduation. Interested students should contact the University Honors Program for more information.

For more information

• Political Science, BA
• School of Social Sciences and International Studies
• College of Liberal Arts

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 38 Hours

ELEMENT 1: COMMUNICATION: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 2: MATHEMATICS: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 3: GLOBAL TRADITIONS: 6 HOURS

ELEMENT 4: ARTS AND HUMANITIES: 3 HOURS

ELEMENT 5: SOCIAL SCIENCES: 6 HOURS

Required 

• PLS 2000 - Power and Politics Credit Hour(s): 3

ELEMENT 6: NATURAL SCIENCES: 8 HOURS

ADDITIONAL CORE COURSES: 6 HOURS

II. College Requirements: 18-22 Hours

FOREIGN LANGUAGE: 12-16 HOURS

Through 2020 level (1010, 1020, 2010, 2020) of one language:

Arabic, Spanish, French, German, Greek, Latin, Chinese, American Sign Language or other.

METHODS OF INQUIRY: 6 HOURS

• PHL 3000 - Critical Thinking Credit Hour(s): 3

• Research Methods - One course from approved list Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Departmental Requirements: 42 Hours

Complete A through C below:

A. CORE

Six credit hours required from the following:

• PLS 2120 - American National Government Credit Hour(s): 3

•  

• PLS 2220 - International Politics Credit Hour(s): 3

• OR

• PLS 2510 - Comparative Nonwestern Social Systems Credit Hour(s): 3

B. AREA REQUIREMENTS

18 credit hours required. Choose six hours from each of the three areas listed below.

AREA I - AMERICAN GOVERNMENT & POLITICS (6 HOURS)

• PLS 3150 - Religion and Politics in America Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3210 - City Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3220 - State Government Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3230 - Government of Ohio Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3250 - African American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3260 - Black Women and Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3310 - Political Parties Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3350 - The American Presidency Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3370 - The Legislative Process Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3450 - Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3460 - Public Personnel Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3750 - Human Rights in United States Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3990 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4030 - Campaigns and Elections Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4040 - Struggles for Civil Rights in America Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4200 - Politics and the Novel Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4270 - Urban Policy Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4280 - National Security Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4300 - American Government Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4330 - Public Opinion Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4340 - Political Leadership Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4350 - Seminar in Political Corruption Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4460 - Public Budgeting Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4480 - Gender Violence & American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4730 - American Foreign Policy Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4819 - Political Science Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4820 - State Legislative Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4822 - Congressional District Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4823 - Campaign Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4824 - Local/City Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4825 - Washington, DC Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4900 - Independent Reading Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4910 - Independent Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4920 - Independent Field Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4930 - Contemporary Problems Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4940 - Special Topics Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

•  

AREA II - INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS (6 HOURS)

• PLS 3020 - Introduction to Comparative Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3560 - Politics and Society in France Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3700 - International Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3990 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4060 - Globalization Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4490 - Gender Violence and International Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4510 - Contemporary African Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4520 - International Human Rights Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4530 - Politics of Russia Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4540 - Politics of the Middle East Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4550 - Politics of Iraq Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4560 - Politics of Europe Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4570 - Politics of Developing Nations Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4580 - Latin American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4590 - Contemporary Brazil Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4600 - Seminar in Comparative Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4610 - Comparative Social Movements Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4620 - US- India-Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4630 - International Conflict Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4650 - Politics of Nationalism Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4660 - Political Institutions and Issues- South Asia Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4670 - Chinese Domestic Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4700 - Topics in International Relations Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4710 - International Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4720 - Terrorism and Counterterrorism Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4730 - American Foreign Policy Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4740 - Politics of Women Terrorists Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4750 - Weapons of Mass Destruction Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4770 - International Organization Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4850 - Chinese Foreign Policy Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4860 - Model UN Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4870 - Politics of Intelligence Gathering Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4871 - Fundamentals of Intelligence Tradecraft Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4880 - Conflict Resolution Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4881 - Diplomacy and Negotiation Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4900 - Independent Reading Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4910 - Independent Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4920 - Independent Field Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

•  

AREA III - LAW, COURTS, AND POLITICAL THEORY (6 HOURS)

• PLS 3010 - Modern Political Ideologies Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3400 - Law and Society Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3410 - Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3430 - Civil Liberties II: Due Process Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3440 - Police Procedures and Operations Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3700 - International Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3990 - Studies in Selected Subjects Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4010 - Development and Construction of American Civil Liberty Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4040 - Struggles for Civil Rights in America Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4070 - Seminar in Political Theory Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4080 - Radical Black Thought Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4090 - Supreme Court and Legal Judging Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4100 - Political Psychology Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4150 - Law, Lawyers and the System Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4160 - Sex and the Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4170 - Appellate Politics and Moot Court Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4180 - Politics and Ethics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4210 - American Constitutional Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4260 - Supreme Court in American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4310 - Cyber Crime Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4360 - Criminal Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4370 - Criminal Procedure Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4380 - Environmental Law and Policy Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4390 - Bioethics and Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4410 - Natural Resources Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4420 - Criminal Justice System Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4440 - Topics in Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4450 - Advanced Criminal Investigation Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4710 - International Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4900 - Independent Reading Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4910 - Independent Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3
• PLS 4920 - Independent Field Research Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

C. MAJOR ELECTIVES

18 credit hours required. Choose 18 hours of any upper-level PLS courses with a minimum of 3 hours at the 4000-level.

LAW & GOVERNMENT OPTION

Students who want this focus may choose the Law and Government Option (6 hours, plus 12 hours of additional PLS electives).

• American Institutions & Politics (3 hours)

• PLS 3310 - Political Parties Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3350 - The American Presidency Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3370 - The Legislative Process Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3450 - Public Administration Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4030 - Campaigns and Elections Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4300 - American Government Seminar Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4460 - Public Budgeting Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4820 - State Legislative Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4822 - Congressional District Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4823 - Campaign Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4824 - Local/City Internship Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4825 - Washington, DC Internship Credit Hour(s): 3

•  

  Legal System & Perspective (3 hours)

• PLS 3400 - Law and Society Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3410 - Fundamentals of Criminal Investigation Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3420 - Civil Liberties I: First Amendment Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3430 - Civil Liberties II: Due Process Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3440 - Police Procedures and Operations Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 3750 - Human Rights in United States Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4040 - Struggles for Civil Rights in America Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4150 - Law, Lawyers and the System Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4160 - Sex and the Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4170 - Appellate Politics and Moot Court Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4210 - American Constitutional Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4260 - Supreme Court in American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4360 - Criminal Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4370 - Criminal Procedure Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4380 - Environmental Law and Policy Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4390 - Bioethics and Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4400 - Constitutional Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4410 - Natural Resources Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4420 - Criminal Justice System Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4440 - Topics in Criminal Justice Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4480 - Gender Violence & American Politics Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4710 - International Law Credit Hour(s): 3
• PLS 4821 - Pre-Law Internship Credit Hour(s): 3

IV. Electives: 18-22 Hours

Total: 120 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.

• Political Science (GPS)

• Political Science (3 yr) (GPS)