Political Science Major (PSLJ)

The major consists of a minimum of 33 semester hours of work in the department. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses in the major, including courses in all concentrations of the major (i.e., international and comparative politics, public law, American public policy, and the secondary education curriculum). It is expected that transfer students will take at least one-half of the minimum required 33 hours in the department.

Required Core Courses

PSCI 2000 - National Government Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 2400 - Comparative Politics Credits: 3 hours
or
PSCI 2500 - International Relations Credits: 4 hours
PSCI 3950 - Data in Politics and Policy Credits: 3 hours

One course in comparative politics

To be chosen from:

PSCI 3400 - European Politics Credits: 4 hours
PSCI 3410 - The Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa Credits: 4 hours
PSCI 3440 - Russian and Central Asian Politics Credits: 4 hours
PSCI 3450 - Latin American Politics Credits: 4 hours
PSCI 3500 - American Foreign Policy Credits: 4 hours
PSCI 4400 - The European Union Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4410 - Issues in International Politics Credits: 3 hours

Two courses in political theory

To be chosen from:

PSCI 3600 - Ancient Political Thought Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3610 - Modern Political Thought Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3620 - Contemporary Political Ideologies Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3630 - American Political Theory Credits: 3 hours

Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement

Students who have chosen the Political Science major may satisfy the Baccalaureate-Level Writing requirement by successfully completing one of the following courses:

PSCI 4050 - Public Policy and the Economy Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4210 - Gender and Law Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4240 - Environmental Law Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4500 - Seminar in International and Comparative Politics Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4940 - Seminar in Political Science Credits: 3 hours

Accelerated Graduate Degree Program

Students in this major are eligible for the department’s Accelerated Graduate Degree Program (AGDP). Interested students should consult WMU’s Graduate Catalog and, in their sophomore or early junior year, contact the department for details.