BA with a Major in Political Science
Degree Requirements
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete university, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Political Science degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Summary of Requirements | ||
| Major Requirements | 33 | |
| General Education and Electives to reach minimum Total Hours | 87 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
General Education
See General Education and Writing-in-the-Discipline in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for information on meeting these requirements.
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| POLS 101 | Introduction to American Government and Politics a,b | 3 |
| POLS 200 | Methods of Political Science | 3 |
| Select two of the following: c | 6 | |
| Introduction to Political Theory | ||
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Select one of the following: d | 3 | |
| Seminar on American Politics | ||
| Topics in Comparative Politics | ||
| Seminar: Topics in International Relations | ||
| Seminar in Political Theory | ||
| Four additional political science courses at the 200 level (or above). e | 12 | |
| Two additional political science courses at the 300 level (or above), only one of which may be POLS 301 or POLS 303. e | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
- a
This course is approved for the Understanding the Individual and Society General Education category.
- b
This course is approved for the Understanding U.S. Society General Education category.
- c
Students should consult the General Education section of the catalog to determine if any of these courses are approved General Education courses.
- d
Any of these courses may be used to fulfill the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
- e
Not including POLS 305. A course must be at least 3 hours to count as an elective.
Transfer courses in political science must have grades of C or better to count toward the major or minor.
Recommended Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| ENGL 160 | Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts | 3 |
| POLS 101 | Introduction to American Government and Politics a | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| General Education Requirement course | 3-5 | |
| Hours | 13-15 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ENGL 161 | Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research | 3 |
| POLS 120 |
Introduction to Political Theory a or Introduction to Comparative Politics or Introduction to International Relations |
3 |
| General Education Requirement course | 3 | |
| General Education Requirement course | 3-5 | |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Hours | 16-18 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| POLS 120 |
Introduction to Political Theory a or Introduction to Comparative Politics or Introduction to International Relations |
3 |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| General Education Requirement course | 3 | |
| General Education Requirement course | 3 | |
| General Education Requirement course | 3 | |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| POLS 200 | Methods of Political Science | 3 |
| POLS 2xx, 3xx, or 4xx c | 3 | |
| POLS 2xx c | 3 | |
| General Education Requirement course | 3-5 | |
| Foreign Language | 4 | |
| Hours | 16-18 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| POLS 2xx, 3xx, or 4xx c | 3 | |
| POLS 2xx c | 3 | |
| POLS 201 | Political Data Analysis (or Quantitative Reasoning course) b | 3-5 |
| Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 15-17 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| POLS 3xx or 4xx c,d | 3 | |
| Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| POLS 3xx or 4xx c,d | 3 | |
| Select one of the following in either the fall or spring semesters: e | 0-3 | |
| Seminar on American Politics | ||
| Topics in Comparative Politics | ||
| Seminar: Topics in International Relations | ||
| Seminar in Political Theory | ||
| Electives | 12 | |
| Hours | 15-18 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| Select one of the following in either the fall or spring semesters: e | 0-3 | |
| Seminar on American Politics | ||
| Topics in Comparative Politics | ||
| Seminar: Topics in International Relations | ||
| Seminar in Political Theory | ||
| Electives | 14-15 | |
| Hours | 14-18 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- a
POLS 101 and POLS 120 may be used to satisfy two of the nine courses in the General Education Requirement.
- b
Satisfies Quantitative Reasoning (with a grade of C or better) but is not required for the major. To be eligible, you must first satisfy the math prerequisite.
- c
Not including POLS 305. A course must be at least 3 hours to count as an elective.
- d
- e
Any of these courses may be used to fulfill the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. May be taken fall or spring semester.