Major

Major in Political Science (11 Courses)

Advising Tips
  • Although 11 courses are required for the major, students may take up to 14 Political Science classes.
  • Students are encouraged to explore the major by taking POL 110 as early as possible, though it is not a required class.
  • 200-level courses (POL 201, 203, 205, 207) do not have prerequisites. Majors must take these 200-level intermediate courses before or in conjunction with relevant 300-level offerings and are thus usually taken during Freshman and Sophomore years. There is no prescribed order in which the 200-level offerings need to be taken.
  • More than one 200-level course can be taken at the same time.
  • As a general practice, all 200-level intermediate courses are offered every semester.
  • POL 350 and POL 358 count towards the minor in Core Texts and Enduring Questions (CTEQ).
  • The special topics course (POL 399ST) can, depending on its theme and content, fulfill any of our upper division course requirements. Students should consult with the Department chair.
  • Students thinking about pursuing a career in the law may want to consider minoring in Law, Ethics, and Constitutional Studies (LEX), an interdisciplinary minor between Philosophy and Political Science. As a general practice, the four required courses of this seven-course minor are offered every other year.
  • The Senior Seminar (POL 409) is only offered during the Fall and only on Wednesdays from 2:30-5:00.
  • The Department typically does not accept on-line classes for credit.
  • To maintain the academic integrity of the major, transfer courses are approved under strict conditions. Students should consult with the department chair before registering for courses outside the day school of Assumption University.

To What Careers Does a Major in Political Science Lead? 

An education in Political Science affords students the skills, training, and intellectual disposition to effectively pursue a variety of fulfilling vocations. Recent Political Science graduates have begun their careers in the State Department, the FBI, and the White House, as well as in posts throughout our national, state, and local governments. In addition to public service, our graduates also pursue careers in international affairs, graduate study, journalism, media, law, teaching, publishing, and business. The Political Science program consists of basic courses, open to all students, and advanced courses for all students except first-year students.

Required Courses (11 Courses)

Intermediate Courses Taken Sophomore Year (4 Courses)

Course Code
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
12

Courses from 3 of these 5 Areas (Choose 3 Courses)

Course Code
Title
Credits
3
3
3
Sub-Total Credits
15

Additional Departmental Offerings (Choose 3 Courses)

Sub-Total Credits
9

Seminar (1 Course)

Course Code
Title
Credits
Sub-Total Credits
3

To be taken in the fall of senior year.

Note

All first-year students who think they may major in Political Science or who have an interest in politics are urged to take POL 110 Political Issues: The Quest for Justice or any of the required intermediate courses listed above.

Total Credits
39