Political Science, B.A.

Liberal Studies Hours: 42

Liberal Studies Program Requirements 

Major Requirements

The major requires 36 hours  (18 hours at the 300/400 level) as follows:

Core Courses: 15 hours

(must earn ”C” or better in each core course) 

• PSC 110 - Global Issues Credits: (3)
• PSC 150 - American Government and Politics Credits: (3)
• PSC 250 - Introduction to Political Science Credits: 2
• PSC 346 - Political Theory Credits: (3)
• PSC 348 - Political Analysis I Credits: (3)
• PSC 450 - Senior Capstone Credits: (1)

American Politics (3 hours)

• PSC 270 - Popular Culture in American Politics Credits: (3, R6)
• PSC 302 - Public Policy Credits: (3)
• PSC 303 - State and Local Government Credits: (3)
• PSC 304 - Public Administration Credits: (3)
• PSC 305 - Congress Credits: (3)
• PSC 306 - American Presidency Credits: (3)
• PSC 310 - Constitutional Law: Structure and Powers Credits: (3)
• PSC 336 - Political Communication Credits: (3)
• PSC 347 - American Social and Political Eras Credits: (3)
• PSC 351 - Gender in Politics Credits: (3)
• PSC 360 - Judicial Process Credits: (3)
• PSC 407 - Political Parties, Campaigns and Elections Credits: (3)
• PSC 408 - Southern Politics Credits: (3)
• PSC 421 - Political and Organizational Leadership Credits: (3)
• PSC 494 - Seminar: American Political Systems Credits: (3, R6)

Comparative Politics/International Relations (3 hours)

• PSC 215 - European Political Systems Credits: (3)
• PSC 216 - Politics of Developing Areas Credits: (3)
• PSC 219 - Latin American Political Systems Credits: (3)
• PSC 241 - International Security Credits: (3)
• PSC 242 - International Organization Credits: (3)
• PSC 311 - Politics of the Middle East Credits: (3)
• PSC 317 - Politics of Asia Credits: 3
• PSC 320 - International Environmental Politics Credits: (3)
• PSC 321 - International Political Economy Credits: (3)
• PSC 330 - Political Violence Credits: (3)
• PSC 333 - International Law Credits: (3)
• PSC 334 - United States Foreign Policy Credits: (3)
• PSC 343 - Politics of Ethnic Conflict Credits: (3)
• PSC 493 - Topics in Contemporary Political Systems Credits: (3, R6)

Electives (6 hours)

Engaged Experience (3 hours)

• PSC 349 - Civic Learning Credits: (3)
• PSC 355 - Model United Nations Credits: (3, R6)
• PSC 483 - Internship in Political Science Credits: (3)

Foreign Language Requirement (6 hours)

• MFL 231 and 232, or 240 Credits:  (6)

Additional Requirements

Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in the major, and no grade below a C (2.0) for any core course in the major will be accepted.  A total of 18 hours must be at the 300/400 level and no more than 6 hours can be applied to cooperative education or internship.

In additional to the requirements for the major and Liberal Studies, 42 additional hours are required, including a minor, second major, or other approved program. At least 30 hours taken at WCU must be at the junior-senior level to meet one of the general university requirements.

Visit the department’s website at http://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/cas/casdepts/poliscipublicaffairs/index.asp to view the 8 semester curriculum guide.