History/Political Science
Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science
Degree Requirements (120 cr.)
The Bachelor of Arts degree in history/political science is an undergraduate program that provides students with an opportunity to concentrate in history and/or political science. The degree prepares students for a wide array of employment possibilities in government, public administration, public history and museums as well as post-graduate opportunities in law, history, political science and public administration. The degree also provides students with an opportunity to complete a secondary social studies teaching concentration with an emphasis in history or government. Due to the intricate nature of certification requirements in history and government, students pursuing the teaching concentration are urged to maintain frequent contact with their history/political science advisor and the Division of Education's Licensing Advisor.
English (3 cr.)-This requirement will be satisfied by completing ENG-W 131-W 132 Elementary Composition I-II with a grade of C or higher and ENG-W 350 Advanced Expository Writing or an approved intensive writing course in the major with a grade of C- or higher.
Speech (3 cr.)-Students must demonstrate a proficiency in speech by completing SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking with a grade of C or above. SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking may be counted toward distribution requirements.
Computer Literacy-Students must complete CSCI-C 100 Computing Tools (1 cr.) or earn exemption from this requirement by demonstrating that they have access to a computer with legal word processing, spreadsheet, and database software and that they are able to use that software.
Foreign Language (6 cr.)-There is a language requirement of 6 credit hours at the 200 level (or higher) in a foreign language.
Mathematics-Students must demonstrate a proficiency in mathematics by completing MATH-M 125 Precalculus or MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics with a grade of C or better, by completing MATH-M 119 Brief Survey of Calculus I or MATH-M 215 Calculus I with a grade of C- or better, or by scoring 565 or higher on the Mathematics SAT or 27 or higher on the Mathematics ACT.
General Education (46 cr.)
Humanities (12cr.) Twelve credit hours must be selected from the humanities division, including a freshman literature course and one of the following: any music, art, theatre or philosophy course.
Social & Behavioral Sciences (18 cr.) Eighteen credit hours must be selected from the social and behavioral sciences, including 6 credit hours of Western Civilization (HIST-H 113 and HIST-H 114) and 12 credit hours selected from at least two different departments within the division.
Natural Sciences (16 cr.) Sixteen credit hours must be selected from the natural sciences. Eight credit hours must be selected from the biological sciences, including one course involving a laboratory; and 8 credit hours must be selected from the physical sciences, including one course involving a laboratory. Please note that course work in mathematics and computer science may be used to satisfy a portion of the physical science requirements. Consult an advisor for details.
Major (30 cr)-A minimum of 30 credit hours in courses above the 100 level in one of three major areas: humanities; social and behavioral sciences; or natural, information, and mathematical sciences, with a grade of C- or better in each course, unless specified otherwise in degree-specific programs. No more than 15 credit hours in 200-level courses may be used to satisfy this requirement. The 200-level courses in a foreign language may not be used to satisfy both the concentration requirement and the foreign language requirement.
The following courses are required of all History/Political Science majors:
- POLS-Y 103 Introduction to American Politics
- HIST-H 105 American History I
- HIST-H 106 American History II
- COAS-S 400 Senior Seminar
Tracks for History/Political Science Degree
History Track (30 cr)
Six History Courses
COAS-S 400 Senior Seminar
(Students are encouraged to take H495 or H496 as part of the above requirements)
Two of the following:
- POLS-Y 215 Introduction to Political Theory
- POLS-Y 217 Introduction to Comparative Politics
- POLS-Y 219 Introduction to International Relations
- Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective
Political Science Track (30 cr)
Two of the following:
- POLS-Y 215 Introduction to Political Theory
- POLS-Y 217 Introduction to Comparative Politics
- POLS-Y 219 Introduction to International Relations
Four Political Science Courses
COAS-S 400 Senior Seminar
(Students are encouraged to take POLS-Y 480 or POLS-Y 481 as part of the above requirements)
Two History Courses
Social and Behavioral Sciences Elective
Secondary Education Track (30 cr)
Four History Courses
Two of the following:
- POLS-Y 215 Introduction to Political Theory
- POLS-Y 217 Introduction to Comparative Politics
- POLS-Y 219 Introduction to International Relations
- COAS-S 400 Senior Seminar
Three Social & Behavioral Sciences Electives
Note: Under all three tracks the following Criminal Justice/Public Affairs courses may be used as political science options: SPEA-J 301, Substantive Criminal Law; SPEA-V 264, Urban Structure and Policy; and SPEA-V 376, Law and Public Policy.
