Political Science (BA)
Program Description
As a Political Science major at SPU, you will wrestle with some of the most fundamental questions underlying faith and the political order.
- What is the relationship between Christian principles and public policy?
- How can Christians model both the character and truth of Jesus Christ in the public square?
- How should we all live in local, national, and global community?
To assist in the exploration of these questions, you will receive broad training in political philosophy; governance at the local, national, and global levels; law; public policy; international relations; and the political behavior of individuals, groups, and global actors. You are also provided with peer support and co-curricular activities through the SPU Political Union, a nonpartisan student group.
Entering and Completing the Major
In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.
Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.
- If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
- If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
- The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
- To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
- You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.
Political Science (BA)
55 Credits Minimum, Including 36 Upper Division (UD)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Core | ||
| POL 1120 | United States Government and Politics | 5 |
| POL 2320 | Comparative Political Systems | 5 |
| POL 2330 | International Relations | 5 |
| POL 4000 | Public Policy and Administration | 5 |
| POL 4640 | Political Theory: From Antiquity to the 21st Century | 5 |
| POL 4643 | Methods of Political Analysis | 5 |
| POL 4899 | Political Science Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Section Credits Required | 33 | |
| U.S. Systems | ||
| POL/HIS 3670 | History of United States Foreign Relations | 5 |
| or POL 4450 | United States Constitutional Law | |
| Section Credits Required | 5 | |
| International Affairs & Global Systems | ||
| POL 3330 | Global Women's Issues | 5 |
| or POL 3400 | International Organizations | |
| or POL 3440 | War, Peace and World Order | |
| or POL 4336 | Cybersecurity | |
| or POL 4452 | International Law | |
| Section Credits Required | 5 | |
| International Political Economy | ||
| POL 3320 | Political and Economic Development of Nations | 5 |
| or POL 4310 | International Political Economy | |
| or ISD 3400 | Corruption and Development | |
| Section Credits Required | 5 | |
| Experiential Learning | ||
| POL 2000 | Careers in Political Science: What to Tell My Parents | 1 |
| POL 4940 | Political Internships 1 | 1 |
| Section Credits Required | 2 | |
| Political Science or International Sustainable Development Electives Upper Division (UD) Only | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 55 | |
- 1
Instead of an internship, students may complete an approved study abroad or an approved experiential learning activity
Suggested Course Sequence
This is a sample schedule of sequencing for the Political Science major. There is a bit of flexibility in class placement in your first 2 years as you navigate through the University's Common and Exploratory Curriculum. Watch years 3 and 4 more closely as you complete your Political Science classes. Many of these classes are offered once a year or alternate years, so plan in advance.
| Freshman | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | Credits | |
| UCOL 1000 | University Colloquium | 1 |
| WRI 1000 | Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| POL 1120 | United States Government and Politics | 5 |
| POL 2000 | Careers in Political Science: What to Tell My Parents | 1 |
| Exploratory Curriculum | 5 | |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Winter | ||
| WRI 1100 | Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar | 5 |
| Exploratory Curriculum | 10 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL 2330 | International Relations | 5 |
| UFDN 1000 | The Christian Faith | 5 |
| Exploratory Curriculum | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Autumn | ||
| UCOR 2000 | The Emergence of the Modern Global Systems | 5 |
| Exploratory Curriculum | 10 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| Apply to major! | ||
| POL 2320 | Comparative Political Systems | 5 |
| UFDN 2000 | Christian Scripture | 5 |
| Exploratory Curriculum | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select 15 credits | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| POL: US Systems Requirement | 5 | |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Junior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| UCOR 3000 | Faith, Philosophy, and Science | 5 |
| Select 10 credits | 10 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| UFDN 3100 | Christian Theology | 5 |
| POL 4640 | Political Theory: From Antiquity to the 21st Century | 5 |
| POL 4643 | Methods of Political Analysis | 5 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Apply to graduate! | ||
| POL 4000 | Public Policy and Administration | 5 |
| POL: International Political Economy Requirement | 5 | |
| Select 5 credits | 5 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| POL 4940 | Political Internships | 1 |
| POL Electives | 5 | |
| Any remaining Exploratory Curriculum | ||
| Credits | 6 | |
| Senior | ||
| Autumn | ||
| Select 15 Credits | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| POL 4899 | Political Science Capstone Seminar | 3 |
| Select 10 Credits | 10 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select 15 Credits | 15 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Any Quarter | ||
| POL 4940 | Political Internships | 1 |
| POL: International Affairs and Global Systems Requirement | 5 | |
| Any remaining Political Science courses | ||
| Upper Division Course(s) | 5+ | |
| Credits | 6-11 | |
| Total Credits | 197-202 | |
Freshman Notes
- If you have not satisfied the Foreign Language Requirement, complete this year for your Exploratory coursework.
Sophomore Notes
- If you have not yet applied to the major, apply now! Applications are accepted year round and require good academic standing (2.0 or higher SPU cumulative GPA).
- Begin looking for an internship over the summer after your sophomore year. Recruiting often begins 6 to 12 months prior to an internship start date.
Junior Notes
- POL 4940: Political Internships must be taken in the same quarter in which you are completing your internship.
- Students may complete an approved study abroad or experiential learning activity instead of an internship.
- Great year to study abroad!
Senior Notes
- Complete any outstanding Political Science courses.