Dec 05, 2025

Undergraduate Catalog 2025-26

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Undergraduate Catalog 2025-26

Political Science Law Major (PCLJ)

This major is available within the Political Science Department for students with particular career and/or advanced degree interests in this field. Political Science Law is concerned with judicial and quasi-judicial institutions at the international, national, state, and local levels.

Students interested in the Political Science Law major should see the designated departmental advisor.

A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses in the major

Program Requirements

For the Political Science Law major, a student must complete the following:

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 3200 - The American Judicial Process Credits: 4 hours
PSCI 3950 - Data in Politics and Policy Credits: 3 hours

One course in comparative politics (3-4 hours):

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 3490 - Chinese Politics Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3500 - American Foreign Policy Credits: 4 hours
PSCI 3510 - Terrorism and Political Violence Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3520 - International Conflict Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3530 - Women and Politics Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4400 - The European Union Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4410 - Issues in International Politics Credits: 3 hours

One course in political theory (3 hours):

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

Two of the following courses (6-7 hours):

PSCI 3000 - Urban Politics in the United States Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3040 - American Public Policy Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3060 - Environmental Politics Credits: 4 hours
PSCI 3100 - Political Parties and Elections Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3110 - American Politics and the Media Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3140 - The Presidency Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3150 - The Politics of Congress Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 3250 - Criminal Justice Policy Credits: 3 hours

Two of the following courses (6 hours):

PSCI 4200 - Constitutional Law Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4210 - Gender and Law Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4220 - Civil Rights and Liberties Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4230 - The First Amendment Credits: 3 hours
PSCI 4240 - Environmental Law Credits: 3 hours

Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement (3 hours)

One course to be chosen from:

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

One additional elective in political science (3-4 hours)