425 or 429; a senior project chosen from 460 or 490; and a minimum of one year of a foreign language. The mathematics requirement in all tracks is met by Statistics 162. Statistics 161 or 163 may be substituted with the department chair’s permission. The preferred QL course for political science majors is Sociology 330. Honors Thesis Program in Political Science An honors thesis program encourages more intensive study of political science than is required for the regular major. The program provides for close contact between students and their advisors so that students can receive guidance throughout their research and writing. Students will agree to the schedule in the Political Science Major Handbook and must meet all intermediate deadlines in order to continue in the honors program. Students who successfully complete the program requirements will be awarded either “High Honors” or “Honors.”
Prospective candidates for the honors thesis program should advise the department chair of their interest and plans no later than the end of the spring term of the junior year. The department chair will assist students in finding an appropriate thesis advisor. Formal research proposals must be circulated to all members of the proposed committee no later than October 1 of the senior year. A revised version of this research proposal must be approved by a meeting of the student with all the members of his or her committee before November 1. Admission to the honors thesis program is not automatic and may be restricted if there are too many applications. Minor in Political Science A student may minor in political science by completing three courses from the general requirements including 103, 205, and one course chosen from 225, 235, or 245; 340 or 347; one course chosen from 423, 424, 425, or 429; and one additional course chosen in conjunction with the advisor.
• Political Science Courses
POLS 103 Politics of the United States Introductory study of (1) the nature and origins of the United States constitution; (2) structure, organization, and functions of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the national government; and (3) the evolution and character of elections, media, parties, and interest groups in American political society. POLS 117 Law and Society Contexts and range of tasks confronting modern societies in using the law as a special 127
Undergraduate
Requirements: (1) In-depth study of an appropriate question and completion of a thesis, normally written under the direction of a member of the Political Science Department or some closely related department. Honors students may take up to six semester hours of honors directed readings and research (490-491). Three of these credits may count toward the 30 semester hours for the basic political science major requirements. (2) An average GPA in political science of at least 3.5. (3) Completion of all requirements for the B.A. degree in political science, a cumulative GPA of at least 3.3, and approval of the completed project by a committee of at least two faculty from the department and one from outside the department (majority vote is required for honors to be awarded).