Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2013-2014 Catalog Program: Political Science/Social Studies, BA Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Political Science/Social Studies, BA

Department of Political Science, College of Humanities and Social Sciences

92-94 credits

Introduction/What is the Study of Political Science/Social Studies?

Political Science is one of the oldest fields of academic inquiry. Social ideals and their realization through law were systematically studied in ancient Greece. In an increasingly interdependent world, the study of politics and government has flourished as the relations between persons, groups and nations have become more complex, and questions of freedom and authority have challenged every citizen. Modern political science is equally concerned with questions of political philosophy and with the pursuit of social scientific research. These concerns are reflected in a broad and diverse curriculum.

The Political Science faculty are committed to the belief that understanding politics and government is essential to a well-educated person, vital to democratic citizenship, indispensable to effective public service, and critical to the maintenance and ethical progress of a free society.

Why Consider a Political Science/Social Studies Major? 

The Political Science curriculum prepares students for careers in public service-related occupations in both government and business. Many students majoring in Political Science go on to law school, graduate school and into the professions.

Secondary Education students who wish to be endorsed in Social Studies may choose this major. However, the Political Science/Social Studies degree does not require that a student pursue a teaching certificate.

To receive a recommendation for state of Washington certification, students must complete the “teacher certification” program, including the contents method course SEC 426, which is offered by the Department of Secondary Education as 1) part of the undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree, or 2) as a post-baccalaureate program, or 3) as a part of the Master’s in Teaching degree. See the Secondary Education section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements. Completion of this combined major leads to endorsement in social studies.

 Contact Information

Political Science Department Chair
Sara Weir
Arntzen Hall 415
360-650-2912
Sara.Weir@wwu.edu

Department Manager
Joan Blackwell
Arntzen Hall 415
360-650-3469
Joan.Blackwell@wwu.edu

Program Coordinator
Peggy Warner
Arntzen Hall 415
360-650-3469
Peggy.Warner@wwu.edu

Secondary Education Information
Janna Cecka
Miller Hall 401C
360-650-3347
http://www.wce.wwu.edu/sec

Teacher Education Admissions
Miller Hall 214
360-650-3313
http://www.wce.wwu.edu/admiss
 

 
 Sample Careers

Teacher - Secondary Education | Attorney | Consumer Advocate | City Manager | Politician | Public Relations Specialist | Journalist | Author | Lobbyist | FBI/CIA Agent | Labor Relations Specialist | Urban Planner 

 Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Declaration of Major

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better

Requirements

Course NameTerm TakenGradeGen Ed
 ENVS 204 - Human Geography
 HIST 103 - Introduction to American Civilization: American History to 1865
 HIST 104 - Introduction to American Civilization: American History Since 1865
 HIST 121 - World History to 500
 HIST 123 - World History, 1500 to the Present
 HIST 391 - History of the Pacific Northwest
 PLSC 250 - The American Political System

❑ One course from:

     ANTH 201 - Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
     SOC 221 - Introduction to Population Issues
     SOC 251 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior
     SOC 255 - Social Organization of Criminal Justice
     SOC 260 - The Family in Society
     SOC 268 - Gender and Society

❑ One course from:

     ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics
     ECON 446 - Economics for the Teacher (preferred)

❑ One course from:

     ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics
     ECON 447 - Methods for Teaching About the National Economy in the Public Schools (preferred)

One course from:

    ENVS 221 - Geographic Information Systems Survey

   or two additional geography credits

❑ 18 additional credits from:

     PLSC 311 - Introduction to Law and Judicial Process
     PLSC 313 - Law and Society
     PLSC 314 - U.S. Supreme Court
     PLSC 345 - Women and Politics
     PLSC 346 - Politics of Inequality
     PLSC 347 - Race, Politics and Public Policy
     PLSC 353 - State and Local Politics
     PLSC 414 - Constitutional Law I: National Powers
     PLSC 415 - Constitutional Law II: Individual Rights
     PLSC 420 - Environmental Politics
     PLSC 421 - Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Politics
     PLSC 423 - The American Presidency
     PLSC 427 - Policy-Making and Policy Analysis
     PLSC 431 - Senior Seminar in American Politics and Public Policy
     PLSC 449 - Politics and Social Change
     PLSC 450 - Parties, Campaigns and Elections
     PLSC 467 - Philosophical and Ethical Issues in Law
     PLSC 489 - Managing An International Ecosystem Wi

❑ 8 credits from:

     PLSC 261 - Introduction to Political Theory
     PLSC 361 - Classical Political Thought
     PLSC 362 - Political Theory: Renaissance and Modern
     PLSC 432 - Senior Seminar - Political Theory
     PLSC 462 - The Rise of Modern Political Economy
     PLSC 463 - American Political Thought
     PLSC 464 - Contemporary Political Theory
     PLSC 469 - Feminist Political Theory
     PLSC 480 - Politics, Government and Religion
     PLSC 493 - Issues in Political Theory

❑ 8 credits from:

     PLSC 271 - Introduction to International Relations
     PLSC 291 - Introduction to Comparative Politics
     PLSC 301 - The British Parliamentary System
     PLSC 302 - Western Europe
     PLSC 307 - East Asia
     PLSC 308 - African Political Systems
     PLSC 310 - The International Relations of East Asia
     PLSC 370 - Global Issues in International Politics
     PLSC 372 - International Political Economy
     PLSC 376 - American Foreign Policy
     PLSC 390 - The Politics of Development
     PLSC 399 - The Politics of Democratization
     PLSC 402 - Regional European Society and Politics
     PLSC 403 - The European Union and the Process of European Integration
     PLSC 406 - Canadian Government and Politics
     PLSC 430 - Modern Chinese Politics
     PLSC 433 - Senior Seminar in Comparative Politics
     PLSC 434 - Senior Seminar in International Politics
     PLSC 436 - Managing Environmental Commons
     PLSC 453 - Comparative Electoral Systems

❑ Balance of credits in political science electives

University Graduation Requirements

General University Requirements (GURS) 
Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
180 Minimum Total Credits
60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
Residency Requirement
Minimum Grade Requirements
Final Quarter Requirement

Notes: