UNDERGRADUATE MAJOR: Political Science – Political Science Track CREDITS REQUIRED IN MAJOR: 39
FOUNDATION/REQUIRED MAJOR COURSES
COURSE NUMBER / COURSE NAME / CREDITS / PREREQUISITESPOS 101 / Introduction to American Government / 3
POS 104 / Introduction to International Relations / 3
POS 203 / Introduction to Political Science Research / 3
POS 205 / Introduction to Comparative Politics / 3
POS 290 / Introduction to Political Theory / 3
MAJOR ELECTIVES: 24 CREDITS
Students may choose from any of the major’s other offerings to fulfill remaining credit hours, with the requirement that at least 12 hours be completed at or above the 300-level.
POS 102 / People and Politics / 3POS 120 / Government and Politics of Maine / 3
POS 234 / Race and Ethnicity in U.S. Politics / 3
POS 245 / French Politics and Government / 3 / ENG 100, 104, or equivalent
POS 256 / Media and Politics / 3 / POS 101 or POS 102 or permission of the instructor.
POS 261 / The American Congress / 3 / POS 101 or permission of the instructor
POS 262 / The American Presidency / 3 / POS 101 or permission of the instructor
POS 280 / Issues Before the United Nations / 3
POS 310 / Internet and Politics / 3
POS 315 / Media Law / 3 / POS 101 or CMS 103 or permission of the instructor
POS 333 / Theories of Democratization / 3 / POS 205 or equivalent or permission of the instructor
POS 335 / European Politics / 3 / POS 101 or permission of the instructor
POS 340 / The Politics of Developing Nations / 3 / POS 104 or permission of the instructor
POS 342 / Government and Politics of the Middle East / 3
POS 345 / British Politics / 3 / POS 101 or permission of the instructor
POS 347 / The Politics of China / 3
POS 349 / The Middle East in International Politics / 3 / POS 104 or permission of the instructor
POS 354 / African Americans and American Justice / 3 / EYE and sophomore status, or permission of the instructor
POS 360 / Terrorism and the American Public / 3
POS 361 / Public Administration / 3 / POS 101 or permission of the instructor
POS 374 / United States Foreign Policy / 3 / POS 101 or permission of the instructor
POS 380 / Topics / 1-3
POS 385 / Conflict and Security in Contemporary World Politics / 3 / POS 104 or permission of the instructor
POS 390 / Ancient and Medieval Political Theory / 3 / POS 290, or sophomore status, or permission of the instructor
POS 391 / Modern Political Theory / 3
POS 392 / American Political Thought I / 3 / POS 290 or PHI 109 or HTY 121 or HTY 122 or permission of the instructor
POS 393 / American Political Thought II / 3
POS 395 / Independent Study I / 3 / By permission of the political science faculty
POS 396 / Independent Study II / 3 / By permission of the political science faculty
POS 405 / The European Union / 3 / POS 101 or POS 102 or POS 104 or POS 205, or permission of the instructor
POS 406 / Research in the European Union / 3 / Recommended, but not required: POS 205 or any other course with an international content
POS 445 / MeMUNC Conference Planners / 3 / Permission of the instructor
POS 446 / Global Educators / 3 / Permission of the instructor
POS 463 / Supreme Court and Constitutional Law / 3 / POS 101
POS 464 / American Civil Liberties / POS 101 or permission of the instructor
POS 470 / Electoral Politics Internship / 6 / Open to selected students from any major
POS 471 / Internship in Private and Semi-Public Organizations / 6 / Open to selected students from any major
POS 472 / Not-for-Profit Internship / 6 / Open to selected students
POS 473 / Municipal Administration Internship / 6 / Open to selected students
POS 474 / Federal Executive Internship / 6 / Open to selected students
POS 475 / Congressional Internship / 6 / Open to selected students
POS 476 / Internship in Washington D.C. / 6 / Open to selected students
POS 477 / State Internship / 6 / Open to selected students
POS 478 / State Judiciary Internship / 6 / Open to selected students
POS 479 / State Legislative Internship / 6 / Open to selected students
POS 480 / International Affairs Internship / 6 / Open to selected students
MAJOR COURSES OVERLAPPING IN THE CORE:
CORE AREA / COURSE NUMBER / COURSE NAME / REQUIRED BY MAJOR?SCA, DIV, INT / POS 280 / Issues Before the United Nations / No
SCA / POS 101 / Introduction to American Government / Yes
SCA / POS 102 / People and Politics / No
SCA, DIV, INT / POS 104 / Introduction to International Relations / Yes
SCA / POS 205 / Introduction to Comparative Politics / Yes
INT / POS 245 / French Politics and Government / No
Text from the 2015 – 2016 Catalog:
The Political Science Program offers students a choice of two tracks:Political Science TrackandInternational Studies Track. Only one track must be completed to earn the B.A. in Political Science. Most majors complete thePolitical Science Track; however, students who have an especially strong interest in world affairs should consider theInternational Studies Track.
Political science is the systematic study of politics and government and is widely recognized as one of the core disciplines within the liberal arts curriculum. The political science major provides a substantive and analytic preparation that can lead to a variety of professions, giving the students access to a vast array of future careers. For instance, this discipline often serves those with an interest in entering politics and government. Yet, political science majors equally go on to become civic leaders, town managers, city planners, budget specialists, foreign service officers, CIA analysts, FBI agents, policy researchers, and to hold a variety of management positions in local, state, national, and international organizations.
Beyond government, a political science degree leads naturally to graduate training, including law school. Similarly, teaching has been a traditional career for many political science students, who have combined their interest for domestic and international issues with a call to service in the community. Many journalists and broadcasters were political science majors. Business has also recognized the analytic and management skills obtained through training in political science. Other rapidly developing fields such as polling, communications, campaign management, consulting, private and public interest group activity, and data analysis also value a political science degree when making hiring decisions. A political science degree, therefore, opens many doors in different professional directions.
The major administers an elaborate, carefully structured internship program, open to majors and non-majors alike. Political science majors are especially encouraged to take advantage of the variety of internship opportunities as part of their undergraduate program to help them establish a professional presence in the working community.
The Political Science faculty strongly urges its majors to take courses in economics, history, sociology, and business. All political science students are encouraged to undertake at least one year of university-level foreign language study. Additional language study is recommended for those majors with an interest in comparative or international politics and for those considering graduate school.
Core curriculum codes
EYE – Entry Year Experience
CW – College Writing
QR – Quantitative Reasoning
CE – Creative Expression
SCA – Socio-cultural Analysis
CI – Cultural Interpretation
SE – Science Exploration
EISRC – Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, & Citizenship
DIV – Diversity
INT – International
CAP - Capstone