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 201 through PSC 206. Courses must be chosen from at least three subfields of the discipline (as enumerated below). A major comprises at least 30 hours. At least 12 hours of the courses used to complete the major must be numbered at the 300 and 400 level and be taken on campus.
Requirements for the minor in political science. The political science minor requires 18 hours, including PSC 101 and one course from those numbered PSC 201 through PSC 206. Courses must be taken from at least two subfields in the discipline (as 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 201–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.
Subfields of the discipline. The distribution of courses within the subfields is as follows:
- American government: PSC 102, PSC 103, PSC 211, PSC 311, PSC 312, PSC 313, PSC 314, PSC 315, PSC 316, PSC 318, 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 441, PSC 442, PSC 444, and PSC 445
On the basis of course content, specified sections of PSC 320, PSC 321, and PSC 422 may be deemed appropriate for credit in a subfield and applied toward subfield distribution requirements. Contact the department for subfield applicability information and credit procedures.
Unless otherwise stated, the prerequisite for enrollment in 300-level courses is at least sophomore standing or the permission of the instructor; and the prerequisite for 400-level courses is at least junior standing or the permission of the instructor.
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.
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.
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2A 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.
3Six 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.
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.