Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (686)
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/political-science
Program Coordinator
Scott J. Lasley, scott.lasley@wku.edu, (270) 745-2799
A program of study in Political Science furthers student awareness and understanding of political concepts and processes, assists the student in developing critical and analytical abilities, and creates a knowledgeable citizen. Completion of a curriculum in political science provides an individual with a broad background preparatory to a number of careers. Among these are government service, politics, business, teaching, research in political science, and entry into law and other graduate schools. Students may major or minor in political science.
Program Requirements (36 hours)
A baccalaureate degree requires a minimum of 120 unduplicated semester hours. More information can be found at www.wku.edu/registrar/degree_certification.php.
Students who began WKU in the Fall 2014 and thereafter should review the Colonnade requirements located at: https://www.wku.edu/colonnade/colonnaderequirements.php.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PS 110 | American National Government | 3 |
| PS 250 | International Politics | 3 |
| PS 275 | Introduction to Citizenship | 3 |
| PS 499 | Senior Seminar in Government 1 | 3 |
| PS 301 | Using Statistics in Political Science | 3 |
| or PS 302 | Research Design in Political Science | |
| Select one course from each of the following categories. | ||
| Comparative Politics/Area Studies Category | 3 | |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| Political Terrorism | ||
| Politics of North Korea | ||
| Government and Politics of Britain and Canada | ||
| Government and Politics of Western Europe | ||
| Latin American Government and Politics | ||
| Politics of Developing Nations | ||
| Chinese Politics | ||
| Government and Politics of the Middle East | ||
| Government and Politics in East Asia | ||
| Government and Politics of Russia and Eastern Europe | ||
| African Government and Politics | ||
| Central European Politics | ||
| Institutions Category | 3 | |
| Judicial Process | ||
| State Government | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| The Legislative Process | ||
| International Organization and Law | ||
| Kentucky Government and Politics | ||
| Policy & Behavior Category | 3 | |
| Public Policy | ||
| Principals of Public Administration | ||
| American Political Parties and Interest Groups | ||
| Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior | ||
| Minority Politics | ||
| Women and Politics | ||
| Fundamentals of Political Campaign Management | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| 12 hours of Political Science (PS) electives | 12 | |
| At least 18 hours must be 300 or higher. | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 1
Students are advised to take all core courses before enrolling in PS 499.
A minor or second major is required.
At least 18 credit hours in the major must be at the 300-level or higher. No more than 6 hours total can come from PS 403, PS 405, PS 407, and PS 498. PS 324 and PS 325 can both be repeated once. Three hours of credit from PS 324 and PS 325 can be used for the major, and three hours from each can be used as general electives.
Finish in Four Plan
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PS 110 | 3 | PS 250 or PS 275 | 3 |
| COMM 145 | 3 | ENG 100 | 3 |
| HIST 101 or HIST 102 | 3 | Colonnade - Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Colonnade: Arts & Humanities | 3 | Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab | 3 |
| PS 250 or PS 275 | 3 | 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PS course from one of four required categories | 3 | PS course from one of four required categories | 3 |
| PS course from one of four required categories | 3 | PS course from one of four required categories | 3 |
| ENG 200 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections1 | 3 |
| Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences | 3 | 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 |
| 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 | 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PS Elective | 3 | PS Elective | 3 |
| PS Elective | 3 | Colonnade: Connections2 | 3 |
| ENG 300 | 3 | Colonnade: Connections3 | 3 |
| 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 | 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 |
| 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 | 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| PS Elective | 3 | PS 499 | 3 |
| 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 | 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 |
| 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 | 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 |
| 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 | 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 |
| 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 | 2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Total Hours 120 | |||