Political Science, BA

The Butler Political Science Program, distinctively grounded in a firm commitment to social justice, democracy, and human rights, engages students in the study and practice of politics to promote the collective good at the local, national, and global levels. The program defines politics broadly as the formal and informal ways societies govern themselves. The program offers an innovative curriculum that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue positive social change. Political science alumni have pursued careers in electoral politics, teaching, law, government, journalism, business, and non-profit organizations, and have earned graduate and professional degrees in several fields.

A Political Science major consists of 36 semester hours in total.

Students should complete the following in the first and second years of a 4-year program:

3 Lower-Level PO, TI-PO or SW-PO Courses (or 9 credits) across at least 2 areas of -

USA politics in theory and practice
Politics beyond the USA
Political Theory

PO 201 Research & Analysis (required)

Students should complete the following in the third and fourth years of a 4-year program:

7 Upper-Level Courses (or 21 credits) in at least 3 of the 4 areas -

Politics in the USA
Politics beyond the USA
Theorizing politics
Making connections, practicing politics

PO 490 Capstone Course (required)

*Students may also earn up to 6 PO internship credits

	Lower-Level Courses	Credit Hours
PO 102	Introduction to Peace Studies	3
PO 131	Introduction to United States Politics	3
PO 141	Introduction to International Politics	3
PO 151	Introduction to Comparative Politics	3
PO 201	Research and Analysis (Required)	3
PO 210	Basic Political Thought	3
PO 220	Community Mediation	3
PO 230	Activism	3
SW 240-PO	Gender and Generations: War and Peace	3
SW 242-PO	Introduction to U.S. Politics	3
SW 245-PO	Politics from the Margins	3

Upper-Level Courses		Credit Hours
PO 310	Foundations of Chinese Politics	3
PO 320	International Relations	3
PO 322	International Conflict and Peace Building	3
PO 324	The United States in the Asia Pacific	3
PO 326	Chinese Foreign Policy	3
PO 328	Politics of China’s Development	3
PO 332	State & Local Government & Politics	3
PO 335	Racial and Ethnic Politics	3
PO 337	Politics of the Urban Experience	3
PO 344	The Presidential Election through Humor	3
PO 350	African Politics	3
PO 351	Politics of Gender and Sexuality in Africa	3
PO 352	Comparative Political Economy	3
PO 354	Environmental Justice	3
PO 355	United States Foreign Policy	3
PO 356	Israel/Palestine Conflict	3
PO 357	Politics of Youth and Conflict	3
PO 358	Foreign Policy Making in Washington	3
PO 360	Political Regimes in Latin America	3
PO 362	Popular Participation in Latin America	3
PO 364	United States-Latin American Relations	3
PO 370	Government & Politics of Europe	3
PO 371	United States Parties and Politics	3
PO 372	The Role of Protest in U.S. Politics	3
PO 373	Public Policy	3
PO 377	Constitutional Law	3
PO 379	The Presidency and the Congress	3
PO 380	Topics in Political Science	3
PO 381	Ancient & Medieval Political Thought	3
PO 382	Modern Political Thought	3
PO 383	United States Political Thought	3
PO 384	Politics Through Film	3
PO 385	The Enduring Quest for Community	3
PO 386	Black Political Thought	3
PO 387	Agriculture and Food Justice as a Social Movement	3
PO 400, 401, 402	Independent Study	1, 2, 3
PO 403, 404, 405, 406	Internship	2, 3, 6, 9
PO 407, 408, 409	Student Apprenticeship in Political Science	1, 2, 3
PO 490	Seminar in Political Science	3
PO 499	Honors Thesis	3

Requirements for the Major (36 hours)

Students must earn at least a C- grade for a course to be counted towards their Political Science major or minor.

PO 201 - Research and Analysis Min Units: 3
Three other introductory courses distributed across at least two of three different areas: USA politics in theory and practice (e.g. PO 131 /SW 242-PO , PO 220 , & PO 230 ), politics beyond the USA (e.g.PO 141 , PO 151 , SW 240-PO ), and political theory (e.g. PO 102 , PO 210 , TI 255-PO ). (9 hours)
7 upper-division courses (above 299), with at least three credit hours earned in three (of four) different areas: politics in the USA, politics beyond the USA, theorizing politics, and making connections, practicing politics. (21 credit hours)
PO 490 - Seminar in Political Science Min Units: 3