Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Political Science is the study of power, conflict, and war, and of the human endeavor to maintain peace, order, and cooperation, and of the principles and ethics that guide that effort. It is the study of governments, in the United States and in other countries, and of the making and carrying out of laws and policies, by Presidents and governors, legislatures, courts, and the administrative agencies and civil service they oversee, and of the media and journalists who observe them and inform us of their actions. It is the study of cities and counties, and of their efforts to maintain and develop communities, politically, socially, and economically. It is the study of public agencies and services, and the special ways they must be organized and managed. It is the study of human values and beliefs, how they are formed and expressed in the public arena, in voting and elections, in political parties, and in the activities of organized interests, both self-seeking and public-spirited. The ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, said that politics is “the master science” because it influences how all other knowledge is used in society.
The objective of the political science program is to develop graduates who understand political institutions and behavior, and who in the process become able writers, speakers, thinkers, and informed students of human conflict, organization, and governance. With such knowledge and skills, graduates are well prepared for a variety of careers. Professions to which such abilities are obviously relevant include public service in government and non-profit service agencies, law, education, journalism, and military command. But political science graduates have succeeded as well in careers in a variety of different areas of business, including banking, investment management, extractive and manufacturing industries, insurance, and sales. And political science is a natural minor to accompany other majors in which such knowledge and skills are important, including social work, public health and health administration, parks and recreation, business management, and all the other social sciences.
Program Requirements
CIP Code: 45.1001
Major
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Graduation Requirements | ||
| General Education | 36 | |
| Foundations of Learning | ||
| Foundations of Learning (waived for transfers with 30+ hrs.) | 1 | |
| Upper division courses (42 hrs. distributed throughout Major/Supporting/Gen Ed/Free Electives categories) | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Core Courses | ||
| POL 101 | Introduction to American Government | 3 |
| POL 212 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POL 220 | Introduction to World Politics | 3 |
| POL 250 | Introduction to Political Philosophy | 3 |
| POL 280 | Research and Writing in Political Science 1 | 3 |
| POL 370 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| or POL 374 | Introduction to Public Policy | |
| POL 400 | Capstone Course in Political Science | 3 |
| Choose from 15 hours of POL courses, all of which must be numbered 300 or above, with a minimum of three hours each in three of the following four areas: | 15 | |
| American Politics: | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
| Kentucky Government and Politics | ||
| American State and Local Government | ||
| Political Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| The U.S. Congress | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| Campaigns and Elections | ||
| Minority Group Politics | ||
| Politics and Religion in the U.S. | ||
| Judicial Process | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Politics of Development in Appalachia | ||
| Introduction to Public Policy | ||
| Public Human Resources | ||
| Public Budgeting | ||
| Public Opinion & Voting Behavior | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Constitutional Politics | ||
| Law and Politics of Civil Liberties | ||
| Seminar In State and Local Politics | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Comparative Politics: | ||
| Latin American Governments | ||
| Politics in China | ||
| Politics of South Asia | ||
| European Politics | ||
| Politics in Russia | ||
| Politics of the Middle East | ||
POL 319 | ||
| Religion and Politics in the World | ||
| Politics of Mexico | ||
| International Relations: | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Global Security | ||
| Internat Law & Organization | ||
| Terrorism and Political Violence | ||
| Principles and Politics of Human Rights | ||
POL 521 | ||
| Political Philosophy: | ||
| African American Political Thought | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Classical Political Theory | ||
| Modern Political Theory | ||
| Contemporary Political Theory | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| Choose from 47 hours of free electives | 47 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
No more than six hours of POL courses numbered 300 or above may be taken prior to completing POL 280 Research and Writing in Political Science.