Political Science (BA)

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Departmental Admission Requirements

There are no specific admission requirements for this degree plan. 

The Change Major Request form can be found under the Academic Progress tile on ULink.

General Education Requirements

General Education Requirements *31
The following courses are required by the program and satisfy the respective General Education Requirement(s):
Introduction to Comparative Politics - D2, SB

*All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

College/School Requirements

Arts & Sciences Requirements
GEN 100Student Success Center First Year Experience1
or GEN 101 Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
Foreign Language 112
Electives in Humanities or Natural Sciences 29
WR—two approved courses at the 300 level or above 3
Minimum Total Hours22

Program/Major Requirements

Department of Political Science
POLS 201Introduction to American Government and Politics - SB 43
POLS 202Introduction to Comparative Politics - D2, SB 43
POLS 330International Relations3
POLS 390Political Science Research Methods 53
POLS 495Senior Seminar - WR, CUE (CUE) 63
Minimum Total Hours15
Track Requirements (see tracks tab for coursework) 753

No more than 6 hours of POLS 430POLS 510POLS 511 and/or POLS 512 may count toward the major.

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above. 

Culminating Undergraduate Experience (Graduation requirement)
Requirement fulfilled by completing:
Senior Seminar - WR, CUE
1

Completion of the intermediate level of a single foreign language

2

In addition to courses counted toward General Education; 6 hours must be at 300 level or above

3

May be incorporated into other degree requirements

4

Fulfills General Education requirement.

5

Substitutions may be approved by the departmental advisor.

6

Fulfills WR requirement.

7

Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

Track Requirements 

Students who satisfy General Education Requirements by courses defined by the program will require additional electives to complete the minimum hours for the degree.

Track in Applied Politics

Academic Plan Code(s): POLSBA_APO

Political Institutions
Select two of the following: 6
Urban Political Economy
Urban Politics
State Government
American Presidency
Judicial Politics
American Congress
Public Administration
Public Policy - SB
The United Nations and International Organization - WR
Political Identity and Behavior
Select two of the following: 6
Gender, Sexuality & Law
Religion and United States Politics - D1, SB
Media and Politics
Civil Rights and the Law II
Political Psychology and Public Opinion - SB
American Political Parties and Elections - SB
Queer Politics
Women in American Politics
African-American Politics - D1, SB
Information Technology and Politics
Global Environmental Politics
Women in Developing Countries - WR
Experiential Learning
Select one of the following: 3
Policy, Community & Service
Political Science Internship I
Chinese Culture
Louisville Metro Council Internship
Internship II
Frankfort Legislative Internship
Coping with Conflict
International Negotiation
POLS Elective3
Supporting Courses
ECON 202Principles of Macroeconomics - SB3
Minimum Electives32
Minimum Total Hours53

Track in Global Politics and International Affairs

Academic Plan Code(s): POLSBA_GIA

International Relations Area
Select two of the following: 6
The United Nations and International Organization - WR
International Law - WR
American Foreign Policy
The Politics of Global Economic Relations
Global Environmental Politics
Politics of European Integration and Foreign Policy
National and International Security: Issues and Policies
Terrorism
Political Violence
Politics of Oil
Improving World Order
Latin America in the World
Topics in International Relations
The United States and East Asia - WR
Law, Diplomacy and Power: The Foreign Relations of the U.S.
Topics in World Affairs
Topics in International Relations
Coping with Conflict
International Negotiation
Comparative Politics Area
Select two of the following: 6
Comparative Urban Politics
Information Technology and Politics
Politics and Government of Western Europe
Political Violence
Russia and Eurasia - WR
Democratization
Comparative Political Culture - WR
African Government and Politics
Introduction to Middle East Politics
Political Islam
Religion and International Politics - D2, SB
Comparative Political Economy
Politics of Oil
People's Republic of China - SB, D2, WR
Politics of East Asia - SB, D2
Politics and Government of Southeast Asia
Comparative Political Development in Latin America - SB, D2
Latin America in the World
Topics in Comparative Politics
The United States and East Asia - WR
Topics in Comparative Politics
Women in Developing Countries - WR
POLS Electives 16
Supporting Courses
ECON 202Principles of Macroeconomics - SB3
Minimum Electives32
Minimum Total Hours53

No-Track Political Science BA 

Academic Plan Code(s): POLSBA, POLSBA_O

Students in this plan of study are required to take at least one course from each of Political Science's five subfields. 

American Politics 23
Select one of the following:
State Government
American Presidency
Constitutional Law
Constitutional Law
Judicial Politics
Race, Law and Politics - D1, SB
Gender, Sexuality & Law
American Congress
Religion and United States Politics - D1, SB
Media and Politics
Civil Rights and the Law II
Political Psychology and Public Opinion - SB
American Political Parties and Elections - SB
Queer Politics
Women in American Politics
African-American Politics - D1, SB
Topics in American Politics - WR
Topics in American Politics
Topics in Digital Politics
Public Policy 2, 33
Select one of the following:
Urban Political Economy
Comparative Urban Politics
Urban Politics
Policy, Community & Service
Public Administration
Public Policy - SB
American Foreign Policy
Global Environmental Politics
Environmental Policy
Topics in Public Policy
Law, Diplomacy and Power: The Foreign Relations of the U.S.
Topics in Urban and Public Policy
Louisville Metro Council Internship
Internship II
Frankfort Legislative Internship
International Relations 2, 3, 4, 53
Select one of the following:
The United Nations and International Organization - WR
International Law - WR
American Foreign Policy
The Politics of Global Economic Relations
Global Environmental Politics
Politics of European Integration and Foreign Policy
Law, Diplomacy and Power: The Foreign Relations of the U.S.
National and International Security: Issues and Policies
Terrorism
Political Violence
Politics of Oil
Improving World Order
Latin America in the World
Topics in International Relations
Topics in World Affairs
The United States and East Asia - WR
Topics in International Relations
Coping with Conflict
International Negotiation
Comparative Politics 2, 4, 53
Select one of the following:
Comparative Urban Politics
Information Technology and Politics
Politics and Government of Western Europe
Russia and Eurasia - WR
Political Violence
Democratization
Comparative Political Culture - WR
African Government and Politics
Introduction to Middle East Politics
Political Islam
Comparative Political Economy
Politics of Oil
Politics of East Asia - SB, D2
People's Republic of China - SB, D2, WR
Politics and Government of Southeast Asia
Comparative Political Development in Latin America - SB, D2
Latin America in the World
Topics in Comparative Politics
The United States and East Asia - WR
Topics in Comparative Politics
Women in Developing Countries - WR
Political Theory 23
Select one of the following:
Early Political Thought
Modern Political Thought
American Political Thought
Democracy and Its Critics - WR
Political Theory and Utopia - WR
American Utopian Communities
Contemporary Political Theory
Topics in Political Theory
Topics in Political Theory - WR
Feminist Theory - WR
Political Science Electives6
Supporting Courses
ECON 202Principles of Macroeconomics - SB3
Electives in Social Sciences other than Political Science, with 9 hours at the 300-level or above15
Minimum Electives14
Minimum Total Hours53
1

The department encourages students to satisfy a portion of the elective requirement through completion of experiential learning courses such as POLS 430, POLS 465, POLS 510, POLS 511, POLS 520 or POLS 530.

2

POLS 399 may be an appropriate elective under any category depending on its topic in a given semester. A student must obtain her/his advisor's approval before attempting to use this course to satisfy an area requirement. 

3

POLS 333 may be used as an elective option under Public Policy or International Relations. It may only satisfy one requirement. It may not be used to satisfy both requirements. 

4

POLS 341 may be used as an elective option under International Relations and Comparative Politics. It may only satisfy one requirement. It may not be used to satisfy both requirements. 

5

POLS 363 may be used as an elective option under International Relations and Comparative Politics. It may only satisfy one requirement. It may not be used to satisfy both requirements. 

Flight Plan


No Track - Political Science (BA)

Academic Plan Code(s): POLSBA

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
POLS 201 Introduction to American Government and Politics - SB 3
ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics - SB 3
Foreign Language 1 3-4
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 3
 Hours16-17
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
POLS 202 Introduction to Comparative Politics - D2, SB 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
Foreign Language 2 3-4
General Elective 3
 Hours15-16
Year 2
Fall
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR 3-4
Foreign Language 3 3-4
Political Science American Politics elective 3
General Elective 3
 Hours15-17
Spring
POLS 330 International Relations 3
Humanities or Natural Science WR elective (300 level or above) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL 1
Foreign Language 4 3-4
Political Science Comparative Politics elective 3
 Hours16-17
Year 3
Fall
Social Science elective 3
Social Science elective (300 level or above) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities US Diversity - AHD1 3
Political Science International Relations elective 3
Humanities or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Spring
POLS 390 Political Science Research Methods 3
Political Science Public Policy elective 3
Social Science elective (300 level or above) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities - AH 3
Social Science elective 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
Social Science elective (300 level or above) 3
Political Science Political Theory elective 3
Humanities or Natural Science elective 3
Political Science elective 3
General elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
POLS 495 Senior Seminar - WR, CUE 3
Political Science elective 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
General elective 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours122-127

Track in Applied Politics

Academic Plan Code(s): POLSBA_APO

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
POLS 201 Introduction to American Government and Politics - SB 3
Foreign Language 1 3-4
General Elective 3
General Elective 2
 Hours15-16
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
POLS 202 Introduction to Comparative Politics - D2, SB 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
Foreign Language 2 3-4
 Hours15-16
Year 2
Fall
POLS 330 International Relations 3
General Elective 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR 3-4
Foreign Language 3 3-4
 Hours15-17
Spring
ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics - SB 3
Humanities or Natural Science WR Elective (300 level or above) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL 1
General Elective 3
Foreign Language 4 3-4
 Hours16-17
Year 3
Fall
General elective 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities US Diversity - AHD1 3
Political Science elective 3
Humanities or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Spring
POLS 390 Political Science Research Methods 3
Political Science Political Institutions course 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities - AH 3
Political Science Experiential Learning course 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
Political Science Political Identity and Behavior course 3
Political Science Political Identity and Behavior course 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
Humanities or Natural Science elective 3
 Hours15
Spring
POLS 495 Senior Seminar - WR, CUE 3
Political Science Political Identity and Behavior course 3
Political Science Political Identity and Behavior course 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours121-126

Track in Global Politics and International Affairs

Academic Plan Code(s): POLSBA_GIA

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
FallHours
GEN 100
Student Success Center First Year Experience
or Arts & Sciences First Year Experience
1
ENGL 101 Introduction to College Writing - WC 3
POLS 201 Introduction to American Government and Politics - SB 3
Foreign Language 1 3-4
General elective 3
General elective 2
 Hours15-16
Spring
ENGL 102 Intermediate College Writing - WC 3
POLS 202 Introduction to Comparative Politics - D2, SB 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Oral Communication - OC 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
Foreign Language 2 3-4
 Hours15-16
Year 2
Fall
POLS 330 International Relations 3
General Elective 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Social & Behavioral Sciences Historical Perspective - SBH 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Quantitative Reasoning - QR 3-4
Foreign Language 3 3-4
 Hours15-17
Spring
ECON 202 Principles of Macroeconomics - SB 3
Humanities or Natural Science WR Elective (300 level or above) 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences - S 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Natural Sciences Lab - SL 1
General elective 3
Foreign Language 4 3-4
 Hours16-17
Year 3
Fall
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities - AH 3
Humanities or Natural Science elective (300 level or above) 3
General elective 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Spring
POLS 390 Political Science Research Methods 3
Political Science International Relations course 3
General Education: Cardinal Core Arts & Humanities US Diversity - AHD1 3
Social Science elective 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Year 4
Fall
Political Science International Relations course 3
Political Science Comparative Politics course 3
Humanities or Natural Science elective 3
Political Science elective 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
Spring
POLS 495 Senior Seminar - WR, CUE 3
Political Science Comparative Politics course 3
Political Science elective 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
General elective (300 level or above) 3
 Hours15
 Minimum Total Hours121-126

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan.  What-if reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

  1. Log into your ULink account.
  2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
  3. Select the appropriate report.
    1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
    2. To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."
    3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.