UNDERGRADUATE STUDY IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
IUPUI students can either
major or minor in political science. A major consists of 33 hours of
coursework, while a minor consists of 15 hours of coursework. (Majors
begun prior to the fall of 2004 have a slightly different set of requirements
- see below).
Recommended Political Science Curriculum:
In order to provide students with guidance that will both enhance their academic experience and avoid problems meeting requirements, the Department of Political Science has developed the following suggested curriculum for taking Political Science courses if you are a major.
Freshman year:
Y103 *NOTE: Y101 is not recommended for majors and if taken limits your choice of electives in the Junior and Senior Years
Required English courses for Liberal Arts. (W131 and W132 or equivalents)
Either Y215 or Y205 (for the latter you need at least high school algebra)
M118 or Sophomore Year
Sophomore Year:
Other choice of Y215 or Y205
Either Y217 or Y219
Junior Year:
300-400 level electives
Senior Year
Rest of 300-400 electives
Y490 (*NOTE: Beginning with Fall 2008 you must have completed all the required 200 level Political Science courses (205,215 and either 217 or 219) to enroll in the seminar. You can not take them simultaneously)
A SPECIAL NOTE TO TRANSFER STUDENTS:
Transfer students frequently find that a number of their previous courses do not meet our departmental requirements. For that reason, it is HIGHLY recommended that you meet with the Lead Advisor, Dr. Brian Vargus, to avoid conflicts and finding you are missing some important courses and, therefore, do not graduate at the time you expected. The rules about completing the 200 level requirements still apply to you, so if you do not have one or its equivalent, it should be the first thing you take. Be warned that in political science it is assumed in 300/400 level courses that you have completed W132 and know how to write a research paper. All 300-400 level courses are supposed to have a term research paper as a requirement. Further, your last 26 hours must be completed at IUPUI and you must take your Y490 at IUPUI, even if you think you have the equivalent from another university. If you have concerns, please see the lead advisor.
Note: The integrator
Many students have questions about the required “integrator course.” They are listed on the class schedule at INTG. A special list of additional courses that count as integrators can be found by clicking on this link > List of Integrators. Consult it as needed or ask your advisor if you are confused.
MAJOR - Requirements for majors beginning in fall 2004
In addition to the other courses required for your degree (for example,
see School of Liberal Arts
requirements), you need to take 33 hours in political science courses,
with a grade of C or better in each, and at least nine of those hours
should be taken at IUPUI. Those 33 hours are made up as follows:
Required courses (15 hours). You need all of the
following:
Electives (18 hours):
- You need 18 credit hours consisting of 6 courses, 5
of which must be numbered 300 and above. Choose
among courses on US institutions (including Congress, the presidency),
political theory, area studies (including Africa, southeast Asia, western
Europe), critical policy issues (the environment, welfare, crime), or
enroll for directed readings with one of our faculty.
How to enroll:
Contact the IUPUI Admissions Office at 317-274-4591.
Already an IUPUI
student? Declare a major through the Liberal Arts
Student Affairs office, Cavanaugh Hall Room 401, phone number
317-274-3976. Contact our Lead Advisor Prof. Brian Vargus (Tel: 317-274 7226) or the Department of Political Science (Tel: 317-274 7387) with additional questions about the major.
MINOR
In addition to the School of
Liberal Arts requirements, and the classes you need for your major,
you need to take 15 hours in political science classes, with a grade of C
or better in each, and at least six of those hours should be taken at
IUPUI. Those 15 hours can be made up in one of five ways:
Focus on American Politics
- Y103: Introduction to American Politics
- Six hours in American government courses numbered 300 or
higher
- Six hours in courses from other areas
Focus on Public Policy
- Y213: Introduction to Public Policy
- Six hours in public policy courses numbered 300 or higher
- Six hours in courses from other areas
Focus on Political Theory
- Y215: Introduction to Political Theory
- Six hours in political theory courses numbered 300 or higher
- Six hours in courses from other areas
Focus on Comparative Politics
- Y217: Introduction to Comparative Politics
- Six hours in comparative politics courses numbered 300 or
higher
- Six hours in courses from other areas
Focus on International Relations
- Y219: Introduction to International Relations
- Six hours in international relations courses numbered 300 or
higher
- Six hours in courses from other areas
How to enroll: Contact our Lead Advisor Prof. Brian Vargus
or the Political Science Department Office to sign up - all you need to do is give us your name, your major,
and your ID number. As you complete each course, let the department know, and once
you have completed all the requirements we will pass the details on to the school Recorder.
