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2023-2024 Shepherd University Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science, B.S.

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The study of political science develops knowledge and understanding of national and international government, politics, and policy. The program prepares students for careers in public service, nonprofit organizations, international affairs, and select jobs in the private sector. It prepares students for graduate work leading to careers in a variety of areas including law, public administration, policy analysis, foreign service, journalism, and teaching. Proximity to Washington, D.C., allows enhancement of traditional classroom work with opportunities to observe the federal government in operation.

The learning outcomes of the Political Science program are as follows:


1. To facilitate student learning of core political science knowledge, skills, and values.
2. To foster global and local civic awareness and participation in all students.
3. To provide opportunities for students to engage in original research, meaningful
public service, and practical experiential learning activities.
4. To prepare students for post-graduate study and diverse employment opportunities
in the public and private sectors.

Curriculum for a Major in Political Science

 
Specific Core Curriculum requirements:  take PSCI 150  to fulfill First Year Experience requirement; take PSCI 100  to fulfill Social Sciences area.

Total hours required, 40 Hours:

Required courses, 19 Hours:

Elective courses, 21 Hours:

  •  Any 300- or 400-level course in political science**
Note(s):

**Most 300- and 400-level political science courses can only be offered every other year. Students should plan their schedules accordingly. 

No more than six hours of PSCI 443 Internship in Government  can be counted toward the political science major or minor (additional internship hours will be considered as general electives).

Four-Year Course Progression

Political Science
FALL   FIRST YEAR     SPRING   FIRST YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 100*   Politics and Government 3   PSCI 200   American Political Institutions 3
PSCI 150**   First-Year Seminar 1   Core Curriculum 1 Written English II 3
Core Curriculum 1 Written English I 3   Core Curriculum 1 Science II 4
Core Curriculum 1 History 3   Core Curriculum 1 Math 3
Core Curriculum 1 Science I 4   Core Curriculum 2 Wellness or Arts 3
    TOTAL 14       TOTAL 16
* Also meets Core Curriculum Social Science requirement          
** Also meets Core Curriculum First-Year Experience requirement          
         
FALL   SECOND YEAR     SPRING   SECOND YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 300+   Elective 3   PSCI 300+   Elective 3
PSCI 304   Introduction to Comparative Politics 3   PSCI 300+   Elective 3
Core Curriculum 2 Wellness or Arts 3   PSCI 302   Introduction to Political Theory 3
Core Curriculum 2 Humanities 3   Core Curriculum 2 Humanities 3
Core Curriculum 2 Social Science 3   Core Curriculum 2 Social Science 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 15
         
FALL   THIRD YEAR     SPRING   THIRD YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 324   International Relations 3   PSCI 300+   Elective 3
PSCI 300+   Elective 3   PSCI 300+   Elective 3
PSCI 300+   Elective 3   Minor   Minor 3
Minor   Minor 3   Minor   Minor 3
Elective   Elective 3   Elective   Elective 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 15
         
FALL   FOURTH YEAR     SPRING   FOURTH YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
Elective   Elective 3   PSCI 497   Senior Research 4
Elective   Elective 3   Minor   Minor 3
Minor   Minor 3   Elective   Elective 3
Minor   Minor 3   Elective   Elective 3
PSCI 496   Research Design and Methods 3   Elective   Elective 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 16
                 
January 21, 2021             DEGREE TOTAL 121
         

 

Curriculum for a Major in Political Science, Legal Studies Concentration

 Specific Core Curriculum requirements: take PSCI 150  to fulfill First Year Experience requirement; take PSCI 100  to fulfill Social Sciences (SO) area.

Total hours required, 43 Hours:

Required Courses, 19 Hours:

Concentration Core Courses, 9 Hours:

Elective Courses, 12 Hours:

Free electives, 3 Hours:

  • Any 300- or 400-level course in political science.

Four-Year Course Progression

Political Science, Legal Studies Concentration
FALL   FIRST YEAR     SPRING   FIRST YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 100*   Politics and Government 3   PSCI 200   American Political Institutions 3
PSCI 150**   First-Year Seminar 1   Core Curriculum 1 Written English II 3
Core Curriculum 1 Written English I 3   Core Curriculum 1 Science II 4
Core Curriculum 1 History 3   Core Curriculum 1 Math 3
Core Curriculum 1 Science I 4   Core Curriculum 2 Wellness or Arts 3
    TOTAL 14       TOTAL 16
*Also meets Core Curriculum Social Science requirement          
**Also meets Core Curriculum First-Year Experience requirement          
         
FALL   SECOND YEAR     SPRING   SECOND YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 320   American Judicial Process 3   PSCI 400   Supreme Court 3
PSCI 304   Introduction to Comparative Politics 3   PSCI xxx   Elective 3
Core Curriculum 2 Wellness or Arts 3   PSCI 302   Introduction to Political Theory 3
Core Curriculum 2 Humanities 3   Core Curriculum 2 Humanities 3
Core Curriculum 2 Social Science 3   Core Curriculum 2 Social Science 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 15
         
FALL   THIRD YEAR     SPRING   THIRD YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 324   International Relations 3   PSCI 407   Introduction to International Law 3
PSCI xxx   Elective 3   PSCI xxx   Elective 3
Elective   Elective 3   Minor   Minor  3
Minor   Minor 3   Minor   Minor 3
Elective   Elective 3   Elective   Elective 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 15
         
FALL   FOURTH YEAR     SPRING   FOURTH YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI xxx   Elective 3   PSCI 497   Senior Research 4
PSCI xxx   Elective 3   Minor   Minor 3
Minor   Minor 3   Elective   Elective 3
Minor   Minor 3   Elective   Elective 3
PSCI 496   Research Design and Methods 3   Elective   Elective 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 16
                 
January 21, 2021             DEGREE TOTAL 121
         

 

Curriculum for a Major in Political Science, Political Communications Concentration

Specific Core Curriculum requirements:  take PSCI 150   to fulfill First Year Experience (FY) requirement; take PSCI 100   as part of the 9cr Social Sciences (SO) area; take COMM 203  as part of the 6cr Humanities (HM) area.

Total Hours Required, 46 Hours:

Required Political Science Courses, 19 Hours:

Required Concentration Courses, 15 Hours:

Elective Courses, 12 Hours:

At least 3 credits must be from PSCI.

Notes:

** No more than 3 hours of PSCI 350  or PSCI 351  can be counted toward the Political Science - Political Communications concentration elective requirement.

Four-Year Course Progression

Political Science, Political Communication Concentration
FALL   FIRST YEAR     SPRING   FIRST YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 100*   Politics and Government 3   PSCI 200   American Political Institutions 3
PSCI 150**   First-Year Seminar 1   Core Curriculum 1 Written English II 3
Core Curriculum 1 Written English I 3   Core Curriculum 1 Science II 4
Core Curriculum 1 History 3   Core Curriculum 1 Math 3
Core Curriculum 1 Science I 4   Core Curriculum 2 Wellness or Arts 3
    TOTAL 14       TOTAL 16
*Also meets Core Curriculum Social Science requirement          
**Also meets Core Curriculum First-Year Experience requirement          
         
FALL   SECOND YEAR     SPRING   SECOND YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 306   Introduction to Political Communications 3   COMM 321   Public Relations Principles 3
PSCI 304   Introduction to Comparative Politics 3   JOUR 204***   Introduction to Journalism 3
Core Curriculum 2 Wellness or Arts 3   PSCI 302   Introduction to Political Theory 3
COMM 203***   Communication and New Media 3   Elective   Elective 3
Core Curriculum 2 Social Science 3   Core Curriculum 2 Social Science 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 15
*** Also meets Core Curriculum Humanities requirement   *** Also meets Core Curriculum Humanities requirement
         
FALL   THIRD YEAR     SPRING   THIRD YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 324   International Relations 3   COMM 326, 348, or 349   Practicum 3
PSCI xxx   Elective 3   PSCI/COMM   Elective 3
PSCI/COMM   Elective 3   Minor   Minor 3
Minor   Minor 3   Minor   Minor 3
Elective   Elective 3   PSCI/COMM   Elective 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 15
         
FALL   FOURTH YEAR     SPRING   FOURTH YEAR  
Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit   Sub./Course No. Tier Title Credit
PSCI 423 or 442   Political Communications Seminar or Internship 3   PSCI 497   Senior Research 4
Elective   Elective 3   Minor   Minor 3
Minor   Minor 3   Elective   Elective 3
Minor   Minor 3   Elective   Elective 3
PSCI 496   Research Design and Methods 3   Elective   Elective 3
    TOTAL 15       TOTAL 16
                 
January 21, 2021             DEGREE TOTAL 121
         

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