UA Catalog 2002-04: Department of Political Science

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE (PSC)

Professor David J. Lanoue, Chairperson
Office: 302 ten Hoor Hall

Requirements for the major in political science. The political science major requires 30 hours, including PSC 101 and two courses from those numbered PSC 203 through PSC 206. Twenty-one additional hours must be chosen from at least three subfields of the discipline (enumerated below). At least 12 hours of the courses used to complete the major must be numbered at the 300 or 400 level and be taken on campus. To be admitted to the major, a student must earn a "C+" (2.33) average in PSC 101 and two courses from the grouping comprised by PSC 203-PSC 206. The student must also earn a "C" (2.000) in every class applicable to the major.

Requirements for the minor in political science. The political science minor requires 18 hours including PSC 101 and one course from those numbered PSC 203 through PSC 206. Courses must be taken from at least two subfields of the discipline (enumerated below). At least 6 hours of the courses used to complete the minor must be numbered at the 300 or 400 level and be taken on campus.

Note: Majors and minors are strongly encouraged to complete PSC 101 and the required number of courses from PSC 203-PSC 206 prior to enrolling in other political science coursework. The required courses are intended to provide a foundation on which the other courses build.

Acceptable courses. Acceptable courses from each field for majors and minors are as follows:

American government: PSC 102, PSC 103, PSC 211, PSC 311, PSC 312, PSC 313, PSC 314, PSC 315, PSC 316, PSC 364, PSC 411, PSC 412, PSC 413, PSC 414, PSC 423, and PSC 466
Comparative politics: PSC 203, PSC 317, PSC 331, PSC 332, PSC 333, PSC 334, PSC 341, PSC 352, PSC 433, PSC 436, and PSC 443
Political theory: PSC 205, PSC 251, PSC 317, PSC 352, PSC 353, PSC 362, PSC 451, and PSC 452
Public administration: PSC 206, PSC 211, PSC 361, PSC 362, PSC 412, PSC 461, PSC 462, and PSC 466
International relations: PSC 204, PSC 342, PSC 413, PSC 414, PSC 434, PSC 435, PSC 442, PSC 444, and PSC 445
Where appropriate: PSC 320, PSC 321, PSC 399, and PSC 422

To enroll in 400-level political science courses, a student must have junior standing or instructor approval.

The Department of Political Science does not have a language requirement for undergraduates. Nevertheless, any major anticipating graduate study is urged to study a modern foreign language.

A major or minor in political science may be applied toward the Alabama Class B Secondary Professional Teaching Certificate (see p. 114).

Double major and certificate program. The double-major interdisciplinary program in regional and urban planning/political science and the regional and urban planning certificate program are described on p. 83.

Special recognition in political science. The department sponsors a local chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. To be eligible for election to Pi Sigma Alpha, a student must have taken at least 12 hours of political science with a 3.3 overall grade point average. At least one course must have been at or above the 300 level. In addition, a student must have a 3.0 overall grade point average for all coursework undertaken prior to the time of election.

A Suggested Sequence of Courses for the Political Science Major

FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester		Second Semester
Course	Hours	Course	Hours
PSC 101	3	PSC 203, PSC 204, PSC 205, or PSC 206	3
EN 101	3	EN 102	3
MATH³	3-4	History¹	3
Natural science	4	Natural science	4
Foreign language or computer science	3-4	Foreign language or computer science	3-4
	___		___
	16-17		16-17

SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester		Second Semester
Course	Hours	Course	Hours
PSC 203, PSC 204, PSC 205, or PSC 206	3	Political science elective	3
EN 225	3	EN 226 or EN 227	3
Humanities¹	3	Fine arts¹	3
Social and behavioral sciences¹	3	Minor	3
Computer science or elective	3	Elective	3
	___		___
	15		15

JUNIOR YEAR²
First Semester		Second Semester
Course	Hours	Course	Hours
Political science elective	3	Political science elective	3
Social and behavioral sciences¹	3	Minor	6
Minor	6	History or social and behavioral sciences¹	3
Electives	6	Electives	3-6
	___		___
	18		15-18

SENIOR YEAR²
First Semester		Second Semester
Course	Hours	Course	Hours
Political science electives, 300 or 400 level	6	Political science electives, 300 or 400 level	6
Minor	3	Minor	3
Elective or minor	3	Electives	6-9
Elective	3		___
	___		15-18
	15
Total: At least 120

¹A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.
²Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 36 hours in 300- and 400-level courses, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor, must be completed on this campus.
³MATH course number is determined by placement. MATH 110 or higher is required.

Graduate programs. The Department of Political Science offers programs leading to the master of arts in political science, the master of public administration, and the doctor of philosophy degrees. The requirements for these degrees are stated in the University of Alabama graduate catalog.