3470 Political Science

Programs Offered:

1. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
   • Concentration in General Political Science
   • Concentration in International Affairs
   • Concentration in Pre-Law
   • Concentration in Pre-Education
2. European Union Studies Certificate
3. Minor in Political Science

Department of Political Science
1005 General Classroom Building
404/413-6159
www.gsu.edu/~wwwpol

William M. Downs, Chair

Political science is the study of "who gets what, when, and how" in the distribution of goods and values in society and in groups. Specifically, political scientists study the determinants of such distributions, including political parties and voters, public opinion, interest groups, bureaucracies and administrative behavior, public law, international relations, international law and organizations, national security, intergovernmental relations, political behavior, political philosophy, comparative politics, public policy, and conflict.

Students may specialize in any of the five fields of the discipline: American politics and government, comparative politics, international politics, political theory, and public policy and administration. The department also provides specific concentrations for majors and minors in pre-law and in international affairs. The department sponsors intercollegiate academic teams for Mock Trial, Model United Nations, and Model Arab League. The department sponsors student honor societies and clubs in pre-law, international relations, and political science. In addition, the department provides advisement for pre-law students.

The proximity of Georgia State University to the center of government for the Southeast and the State of Georgia and its location in an international city of business, communication, and transportation provide unique opportunities for students to observe and participate in government and politics. For example, many qualified students serve as interns as part of their academic program.

Program Academic Regulations

Internship and Practicum Credit: Applicants for internships must meet departmental prerequisites. Internship and practicum credit may not be applied toward the major or minor, but may be used as elective credit. Such credit includes: PolS 4930, PolS 4940, PolS 4950, PolS 4951, PolS 4952, and PolS 4955.

Program Degree Requirements

In addition to the Program Degree Requirements, students must fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences Degree Requirements (see section 3030) and the University Degree Requirements (see section 1400).

B.A. in Political Science

Area F: Courses Appropriate to the Major (18)

1. Required courses (6)
   • PolS 2401 Global Issues (3) (if not taken in Area E)
   • Lang 1002 Elementary Foreign Language II (3)
     (See "Foreign Language Requirement for B.A. and B.I.S. Majors," previously described.)
2. Select two courses. (6)
   • Econ 2105 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
   • Econ 2106 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
   • Soci 1101 Introduction to Sociology (3)
3. Select additional courses from the following to complete 18 hours in Area F. (6)
   • AAS 2010, Anth 2020, Econ 2105, Econ 2106, Engl 2150, Lang 2001, Lang 2002, Geog 1101, Geog 2202, Hist 1111, Hist 1112, Hist 2110, Jour 1000, Jour 2500, Math 1070, Math 1113, Math 1220, Math 2211, Phil 1010* (*note: only 2-credit hours), Phil 2010, PolS 2101, Psyc 1101, Soci 1101, Soci 1160, WSt 2010.

Area G: Major Courses (27)

A grade of C or higher is required in all major courses.

General Political Science Concentration (27)

1. Required Courses to fulfill CTW requirement (6)
   • PolS 3800 Introduction to Political Research (3)
   • PolS 4900 Senior Seminar in Political Science (3)
2. Take 21 hours in political science at the 3000 level or above. One course must be taken in at least three of five areas of study; these areas include American government and politics (3100's and 4100's), comparative politics (3200's and 4200's), international politics (3400's and 4400's), political theory (3500's and 4500's), and public policy and administration (3700's and 4700's). (21)

International Affairs Concentration (27)

1. Required Courses to fulfill CTW requirement (6)
   • PolS 3800 Introduction to Political Research (3)
   • PolS 4900 Senior Seminar in Political Science (3)
2. International Affairs Requirements (6)
   • PolS 3200 Comparative Politics (3)
   • PolS 3400 International Politics (3)
3. Select 12 hours at the 3000 level or above in comparative politics and international politics. (12)
4. Select 3 hours at the 3000 level or above in American politics, public policy and administration, or political theory. (3)

Pre-Law Concentration (27)

1. Required Courses to fulfill CTW requirement (6)
   • PolS 3800 Introduction to Political Research (3)
   • PolS 4900 Senior Seminar in Political Science (3)
2. Pre-Law Requirements (9)
   • PolS 3140 Judicial Process and Courts (3)
   • PolS 4130 American Constitutional Law (3)
   • PolS 4131 Civil Liberties and Rights (3)
3. Select 3 courses. (9)
   • PolS 3110 State Government (3)
   • PolS 3145 Introduction to American Law (3)
   • PolS 3170 American Legislative Process (3)
   • PolS 3700 Public Administration and Bureaucratic Politics (3)
   • PolS 3750 Public Policy Analysis (3)
   • PolS 4115 Urban Politics (3)
   • PolS 4157 Politics of the Civil Rights Movement (3)
   • PolS 4180 American Chief Executives (3)
   • PolS 4220 Comparative Legal Systems and Politics (3)
   • PolS 4420 International Law (3)
   • PolS 4425 Politics of International Criminal Justice (3)
   • PolS 4427 Politics of International Human Rights (3)
   • PolS 4570 American Political Thought (3)
   • PolS 4780 Administrative Law and Government (3)
4. Select three additional hours in political science. (3)
5. Of the courses taken, students must have one course in three of the five areas of the discipline.
6. PolS 4950 is recommended as an elective.

Pre-Education Concentration and Certificate in Pre-Education Broad Field Social Science

The Department of Political Science offers a pre-education concentration for majors planning to teach on the middle school or high school level. Students take courses chosen so as to provide the substantive knowledge needed to teach political and social science. Through completion of this concentration and allied field concentrations, students earn the Certificate in Pre-Education Broad Field Social Science. Graduates may then seek entrance into the Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) Program Social Studies Education in the College of Education at Georgia State to gain state certification or into a comparable program at another institution. For admission requirements of the MA.T. Program in Social Studies Education, see the College of Education.

Requirements of Pre-Education Concentration for Political Science Majors (27)

1. Required Courses to fulfill CTW requirement (6)
   • PolS 3800 Introduction to Political Research (3)
   • PolS 4900 Senior Seminar in Political Science (3)
2. Select one course:
   • PolS 4130 American Constitutional Law (3)
   • PolS 4131 Civil Liberties and Rights (3)
3. Select one course:
   • PolS 3110 State Government (3)
   • PolS 3170 American Legislative Process (3)
   • PolS 4115 Urban Politics (3)
   • PolS 4180 American Chief Executives (3)
4. Select one course:
   • PolS 3200 Comparative Politics (3)
   • PolS 3400 International Politics (3)
5. Select 12 additional hours in political science.
6. Of the courses taken, students must have one course in three of the five areas of the discipline.

Requirements of Allied Field Concentrations

To earn the Certificate in Pre-Education Broad Field Social Science, students must also take allied field concentrations (nine hours) from two or more of the following disciplines: economics, geography, history, education, or behavioral science (nine hours from anthropology, psychology, or sociology). Note the student must take at least 18 hours with nine hours in each of the allied fields. The student should see each department's list for the courses to be taken in the nine hours for that discipline. If students choose to take an allied field in one of the three departments listed above under behavioral science, then they should not take an allied field in one of the other departments in that grouping. Students should consult with their departmental advisers in making choices. Students choosing education as an allied field are required to take EXC 4020, along with two of the following: IT 3210, EDCI 3200, EDUC 3010, EDUC 4982, EDSS 3400, and EDLA 3200).

Area H: Minor and/or Additional Courses

1. Students majoring in political science who take either the general political science concentration or the international affairs concentration are not required to take a minor. Students in the pre-law concentration should see the department's pre-law adviser for further information. Students in the pre-education concentration take allied fields rather than a minor.
2. Additional courses not in the major or in a minor must be taken as electives to complete a minimum of 120 semester hours, exclusive of 1000/2000 physical education or military science courses.

Allied Field Concentration in Political Science for Pre-Education Majors in Other Social Science Departments (9)

Students majoring in other social sciences and who seek the Certificate in Broad Field Social Science Education should choose from the following courses in using political science as an allied field to their major.

1. Select one course
   • PolS 4130 American Constitutional Law (3)
   • PolS 4131 Civil Liberties and Rights (3)
2. Select one course
   • PolS 3110 State Government (3)
   • PolS 3170 American Legislative Process (3)
   • PolS 4115 Urban Politics (3)
   • PolS 4180 American Chief Executives (3)
3. Select one course
   • PolS 3200 Comparative Politics (3)
   • PolS 3400 International Politics (3)

European Union Studies Certificate

The department provides courses and advising in regard to the European Union Studies Certificate offered by the University System of Georgia. This program enables students to develop expertise in the European Unions and in EU studies. Dr. William Downs of the department serves as campus representative. See Section 3260 for a detailed description.

Minor in Political Science

Students wishing to minor in political science should take 15 semester hours of political science courses at the 3000 level or above. Students seeking to take a minor in political science/pre-law should take PolS 3140, 4130, 4131, and two courses from PolS 3110, 3145, 3170, 3700, 3750, 3770, 4115, 4157, 4180, 4220, 4420, 4425, 4427, 4570, and 4780. Students seeking to take a minor in political science/international affairs should take PolS 2401 (if not taken in Area E), 3200, 3400, and nine additional hours at the 3000 level or above in comparative or international politics.

Exchange Programs

The department has an exchange/study abroad program with the University of Strasbourg in France. Courses are available in English. Students spend one semester in residence and earn 12-15 credit hours.

The department also offers undergraduate exchange programs with Ewha Women's University and Hanyang University in Seoul, Korea. Students spend up to one academic year in residence in one of the two universities with credit given for classes on a cross-registration basis.

Master's Degrees in International Business and Government

In conjunction with the Institute of International Business, the department offers joint master's degrees in international business and government. Students wishing to enter this graduate program should take prerequisites as an undergraduate. Students should contact the department for further information.