Department of Political Science

Political Science
1414 Social Sciences Building
267 19th Ave S
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Phone: 612-624-4144
Fax: 612-626-7599
E-mail: polisci@umn.edu

Chair: Raymond D. Duvall

Major


Political Science major, Meredith Beeson,
with Walter Mondale during
a Humphrey Institute Forum.

What is Political Science and how does it fit into the liberal arts objective?

Politics has been defined as the authoritative allocation of values, and, less grandly, as who gets what, when and how. Political Science is a shorthand expression for the "systematic, theoretically oriented study of political phenomena." But no simple definition can capture the broad range of subject matter that is included in political science. You can get some idea of the scope of the discipline from the main areas of specialization that make up the undergraduate curriculum: Political Theory, Comparative Government and Politics, International Relations, and American Government.

Among the central concerns of political scientists are such topics as the exercise of power and influence; sources and resolution of conflicts; the relation of politics to the economy, culture, and other aspects of a society; the adoption and implementation of public policies; the development of political systems over time; and the normative judgments in which institutions, policies, and actions are evaluated. These topics are studied at all levels, from local communities to the global community.

However politics is defined, it is clear that actions in the political arena have vital effects on our lives, liberties, and well-being. From this standpoint, political science deals with how we reach the collective decisions that shape our common fate.

A liberal education centers upon free inquiry into a wide range of subjects--the arts, the natural sciences, the social sciences, the humanities--which in turn constitute the foundation for a broad range of specialized studies.

The aim of a liberal education is the multi-faceted understanding of the complex, richly textured world in which we live. This world is increasingly being shaped--intentionally or not, for better or for worse--by political factors and forces. To understand, to participate in, and to help to shape this world requires that we comprehend the nature, the causes, and the consequences of these political phenomena.

Far from being a narrowly specialized field of study, then, political science deals in a rigorous and intellectual way with the problems and paradoxes of an increasingly politicized world.

Major Requirements for Students

A total of 32 political science semester credits is required to complete the major. These credits include both upper- and lower-division courses.

Application Procedures for the Major

Students may declare a major in political science by meeting with the Undergraduate Adviser for the Department of Political Science. Contact Rose Miskowiec, Undergraduate Adviser, at 612/624-8517 to declare the major or stop by the advising office in 1482 Social Sciences. Prior to declaring a major in political science, students should have completed at least one political science course.

Preparatory Coursework

All students should take at least one 1XXX political science course. These courses are often prerequisites for advanced courses and should be completed before enrolling in upper-division courses. A maximum of 8 semester credits at the 1XXX level may apply to the major.

Advanced Coursework

Students must complete a minimum of 24 upper-division credits in political science. Upper division credits include all 3XXX and 4XXX level courses. Political science majors must take at least one course from three of the four subfields. The four subfields are Political Theory (POL 32XX/42XX), Comparative Government (POL 34XX/44XX), International Relations (POL 38XX/48XX), and American Government (POL 33XX/43XX, 35XX/45XX, or 37XX/47XX).

The Subfields

Political Theory is the systematic study of the explanations, reasons, and rationales offered for actual or proposed practices, institutions, and courses of action: from the work of Plato to the present.

Comparative Government focuses upon similarities and differences in political institutions, attitudes, and behavior viewed both trans-nationally and cross-culturally.

International Relations is the study of relations among nations, centering attention on problems of foreign policy, international trade, international cooperation, and war and peace.

American Government deals with domestic political behavior, institutions and processes ranging from local to state to national levels. American Government focuses on the causes and consequences of behavior within political parties, interest groups, and complex organizations as well as political psychology, public opinion, and voting behavior. This subfield also looks at changing institutions, processes, and procedures that comprise the evolving legal system in the United States.

Residency Requirement

Transfer students from outside the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus must complete at least 12 of their upper-division political science semester credits at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Campus. No more than 12 upper-division semester credits from political science courses taken at other institutions may be transferred into a student's political science major program. The 12-credit maximum limit is also applicable to students participating in study abroad programs or the National Student Exchange Program.

Requirements for Transferring Credits into Political Science

Transfer courses that have been accepted for credit by the University of Minnesota do not automatically transfer into the political science major program. The Department of Political Science must evaluate all political science transfer courses to see whether or not they meet departmental requirements. For this reason, students should not assume that they have satisfied political science requirements with transfer courses until those courses have been evaluated and approved by the Department.

Senior Paper

Political science majors must also complete a senior paper. Beginning fall semester 2007, all 4XXX level political science courses satisfy the senior paper requirement. Students with two CLA majors are only required to write one senior paper in one of those majors. NOTE: Honors students must complete an Honors Thesis rather than a Senior Paper (see General Guidelines for the Honors Thesis below).

Other Requirements

Grading Requirements

All majors must take their political science courses for a letter grade (ABCDF). Courses cannot be taken on a satisfactory/not satisfactory (S/N) basis. Only grades of C- or better will be applicable to the political science major. Grades of S, N, D, or F will not count toward completion of the major. In order to graduate with a B.A. in Political Science, students must achieve a 2.0 (C average) in both the Political Science major and in their overall GPA.

Internship and Directed Study Credits

Students may use a maximum of 6 semester credits from fieldwork and internships (POL 3070 and/or POL 3080) toward completion of a political science major. Students may use a maximum of 4 semester credits from faculty-supervised directed studies (POL 4970) toward completion of a political science major.

General Guidelines for the Honors Thesis

Cum laude

Students complete a senior paper that shows theoretical and empirical understanding of the subject. In short, cum laude papers should be at least 20 pages and probably around 25 pages with original thoughts, arguments, and a high degree of rigor. A minimum GPA of 3.5, as calculated by the CLA Honors Office, is required for cum laude honors. (Students register for 1 credit in POL 4900V. Download the Student/Faculty Honors Contract Form.)

Magna cum laude

These papers should be at least 25 pages in length and more likely should be between 30 and 35 pages. They should begin to demonstrate that the student can conduct original research in an independent manner. Magna papers show a much greater degree of independent thought, and include a substantially more intensive literature review. A minimum GPA of 3.67, as calculated by the CLA Honors Office, is required for magna cum laude honors.(Students register for 1 credit in POL 4900V. Download the Student/Faculty Honors Contract Form.)

Summa cum laude

These papers are at least 50 pages long. They have substantial literature reviews, include the collection of original data (qualitative or quantitative) and analyze that data with appropriate methods. The idea is that these papers are as close as possible to a publishable paper. Summa papers must be submitted to the student's committee and summa candidates are subject to an oral examination. A minimum GPA of 3.75, as calculated by the CLA Honors Office, is required for summa cum laude honors. Students should attempt summa honors only if they have a major research project to which they want to devote a full academic year. (Students register for a total of 4 credits in POL 3110H. Download the Student/Faculty Honors Contract Form.)