The combined major in political science and philosophy is designed to enable students to develop an integrated understanding of politics, political theory, ethical theory, and theories of justice. Students who complete the major will have the training to critically evaluate and assess public policies and social issues on both political and ethical grounds, including issues such as tax policy, immigration, environmental protection, trade policy, healthcare, education, defense policy, and much more.
- Concentrations and course offerings may vary by campus and/or by program modality. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for the course availability each term at your campus or within your program modality.
- Certain options within the program may be required at certain campuses or for certain program modalities. Please consult with your advisor or admissions coach for requirements at your campus or for your program modality.
Complete all courses listed below unless otherwise indicated. Also complete any corequisite labs, recitations, clinicals, or tools courses where specified and complete any additional courses needed beyond specific college and major requirements to satisfy graduation credit requirements.
Universitywide Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the Universitywide Requirements.
BA Language Requirements
All BA students are required to complete the BA degree language requirements, for a total of 12 semester hours of language study or demonstrated equivalent proficiency, as described in Additional Requirements for BA students. Successful demonstration of proficiency does not reduce total minimum semester hours of study required to earn the BA degree.
NUpath Requirements
All undergraduate students are required to complete the NUpath Requirements.
Political Science Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 1150 | American Government | 4 |
| POLS 1155 | Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POLS 1160 | International Relations | 4 |
| POLS 2399 | Research Methods in Political Science | 4 |
| POLS 2400 | Quantitative Techniques | 4 |
| 8 |
| Modern Political Thought | |
| American Political Thought | |
| Contemporary Political Thought | |
| 16 |
| |
Political Science Concentrations (Optional)
If you are working toward one of the following concentrations, declare it with your advisor so that it may be added to your record. Requirements for the concentrations are listed below.
Philosophy Requirements
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| PHIL 1115 | Introduction to Logic | 4 |
| PHIL 2303 | Social and Political Philosophy | 4 |
| PHIL 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought | 4 |
| or POLS 2325 | Ancient Philosophy and Political Thought |
| PHIL 2330 | Modern Philosophy | 4 |
| 8 |
| 4 |
| Introduction to African American and Africana Studies | |
| Goddesses, Witches, Saints, and Sinners: Women and Religion | |
| Sex in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam | |
| Human Rights | |
| Indigenous Philosophy | |
| Race and Religion in Film | |
| Sexuality, Gender, and the Law | |
| Philosophy of Race and Racism | |
| 8 |
Integrative Requirement
Experiential Liberal Arts
All students in this College of Social Sciences and Humanities program are required to complete the Experiential Liberal Arts Requirement.
Program Requirement
128 semester hours required
Concentration in American Political Institutions
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| State and Local Politics | |
| The U.S. Congress | |
| Judicial Process and Behavior | |
| Public Policy and Administration | |
| Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | |
| Campaign Strategy | |
Concentration in Campaigns and Elections
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 3160 | Campaign Strategy | 4 |
| POLS 3302 | Judicial Process and Behavior | 4 |
| 8 |
| Urban Policies and Politics | |
| State and Local Politics | |
POLS 3162 | | |
| Public Opinion, Voting, and Elections | |
| Politics and Mass Media | |
Concentration in Comparative Politics
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 8 |
| The Holocaust and Comparative Genocide | |
| Democratic Erosion | |
| Immigration Politics | |
| Religion and Politics | |
| Nationalism | |
| Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection | |
| Politics of Developing Nations | |
| 4 |
| Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union | |
| Government and Politics in the Middle East | |
| 4 |
| Model Arab League | |
| Model NATO | |
| Dialogue of Civilizations: Government and Politics Abroad | |
Concentration in Identity, Culture, and Politics
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 3418 | Nationalism | 4 |
| 12 |
| Immigration Politics | |
| Music and Politics in America and Abroad | |
| Religion and Politics | |
| Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues in Public Policy | |
| Law and Society | |
Concentration in International Relations and Diplomacy
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 4 |
| Model United Nations | |
| Model Arab League | |
| Dialogue of Civilizations: International Politics Abroad | |
| 12 |
| International Political Economy | |
| International Law | |
| Politics and Governance of Europe and the European Union | |
| International Security | |
Concentration in Law and Legal Studies
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| American Political Thought | |
| The U.S. Congress | |
| Judicial Process and Behavior | |
| Race, Inequality, and the Law | |
| Law and Society | |
| International Law | |
| Global Governance | |
| U.S. Constitutional Law | |
| U.S. Civil Liberties | |
Concentration in Public Policy
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| POLS 3307 | Public Policy and Administration | 4 |
| 12 |
| Urban Policies and Politics | |
| State and Local Politics | |
| Science, Technology, and Public Policy | |
| Environmental Politics and Policy | |
| U.S. Foreign Policy | |
Concentration in Security Studies
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| 16 |
| U.S. National Security Policy | |
| Terrorism and Counterterrorism | |
| U.S. Foreign Policy | |
| Revolution, Civil War, and Insurrection | |
| Politics of Developing Nations | |
| International Security | |
