Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024

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.

Required Courses
PS 110American National Government3
PS 250International Politics3
PS 275Introduction to Citizenship3
PS 499Senior Seminar in Government 13
PS 301Using Statistics in Political Science3
or PS 302 Research Design in Political Science
Select one course from each of the following categories.
Comparative Politics/Area Studies Category3
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 Category3
Judicial Process
State Government
The American Presidency
The Legislative Process
International Organization and Law
Kentucky Government and Politics
Policy & Behavior Category3
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) electives12
At least 18 hours must be 300 or higher.
Total Hours36
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
FallHoursSpringHours
PS 1103PS 250 or PS 2753
COMM 1453ENG 1003
HIST 101 or HIST 1023Colonnade - Quantitative Reasoning3
Colonnade: Arts & Humanities3Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences with lab3
PS 250 or PS 27532nd Major/Minor/Elective Course3
 15 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PS course from one of four required categories3PS course from one of four required categories3
PS course from one of four required categories3PS course from one of four required categories3
ENG 2003Colonnade: Connections13
Colonnade: Natural & Physical Sciences32nd Major/Minor/Elective Course3
2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course32nd Major/Minor/Elective Course3
 15 15
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PS Elective3PS Elective3
PS Elective3Colonnade: Connections23
ENG 3003Colonnade: Connections33
2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course32nd Major/Minor/Elective Course3
2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course32nd Major/Minor/Elective Course3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
PS Elective3PS 4993
2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course32nd Major/Minor/Elective Course3
2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course32nd Major/Minor/Elective Course3
2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course32nd Major/Minor/Elective Course3
2nd Major/Minor/Elective Course32nd Major/Minor/Elective Course3
 15 15
Total Hours 120