HOFSTRA UNIVERSITY
THE POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR
AN 8-SEMESTER STUDY ABROAD/EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING GRID
This is simply an example of what 8 semesters might look like for incoming First-Year students. If you declare your major later, or are a Transfer Student, your grid will look considerably different. Your choices may vary. Some PSC courses fulfill more than one requirement such as a Cross Cultural or Behavioral Sciences, opening up more space. Also, courses in the additional course requirements including courses in: anthropology, criminology, economics, geography, global studies, history, philosophy, psychology, religion, sociology, sustainability studies and some Honors College classes can count toward distribution credits too. Up to 6 credits of Distribution credits may be taken during Study Abroad. Up to 6 credits of study abroad (outside of Hofstra) or experiential learning credits may be applied to count toward PSC elective classes. It is highly recommended that students meet with a Political Science Department advisor at least once every semester.
FIRST YEAR Fall
Spring
PSC 01
PSC 02
Summer/January Sessions*
SECOND YEAR Fall PSC 142 or PSC 135
Spring PSC 143 or PSC 135
ECO 01 or ECO 07 PSC elective
CC-may take a PSC Elective
Local Internship (1-3 credits)recommended
Additional Major Requirements Local Internship (1-3 credits)recommended
Notes Students must take either PSC 142 or PSC 143
THIRD YEAR Fall PSC electives
Spring PSC elective Additional Major Requirements
Additional Major Requirements Additional Major Requirements
PSC elective
Local Internship (1-3 credits)recommended (counts as PSC elective credit)
Local Internship (1-3 credits)recommended (counts as PSC elective credit)
Notes
FOURTH YEAR Study Abroad or Experiential Learning Fall or Spring semester Fall PSC elective
Spring PSC DC or Albany internship (6 PSC elective credits; 10 liberal arts credits) OR Study Abroad (6 PSC credits; liberal arts credits vary)
Notes *Comprehensive Exam (must be completed to graduate)
Local Internship (1-3 credits)recommended (counts as PSC elective credit For more information and to meet your faculty, visit our Department website at https://www.hofstra.edu/academics/colleges/hclas/polsci/index.html What can I do with a Political Science degree? https://www.hofstra.edu/academics/colleges/hclas/polsci/polsci_career.html Some Political Science courses (AP/IB/Transfer) taken prior to Hofstra can count toward the major. NOTES
You are not required to take Summer or January courses (for which there is no financial aid). You can complete your degree of 124 credits with 5 3-credit courses every semester plus additional 1 or 2 credit classes for 2-4 semesters depending on the semester hours for the course. For additional major requirements the semester hours must be distributed among at least four of the following areas: anthropology, criminology, economics (ECO 001 or 007 required), geography, global studies, history, philosophy, psychology, religion, sociology, and sustainability studies. Honors College courses HUHC 011 and 012 may also be used to satisfy this requirement. Most Political Science majors double major in one of the other Social Sciences housed in the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government. Public Policy and International Affairs. Including: anthropology, economics, global studies, geography, history, philosophy, political science, public policy and public service, religion and sociology. You might also consider a second major in a different discipline such as Journalism, Education, Sustainability Studies, Computer Science, Natural Sciences, Dance, or Television/Film. Students are also encouraged to consider a minor in International Affairs, Public Affairs, or Presidential Studies. If students have an interest in a particular world region they should consider a minor in: African Studies, Asian Studies, European Studies, Latin American & Caribbean Studies, Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies. The Department of Political Science recommends the following programs for those interested in study abroad: API (apiabroad.com), AIFS (aifsabroad.com), IES (iesabroad.org), CAPA (capa.org), CEPA (cepa abroad.org), Semester at Sea (semesteratsea.org), and Al Akhwayn University in Morocco (aaui.ma/en).
If students choose not to take a full semester study abroad experience they are encouraged to participate in short-term programs in the summer or during the January break. Full semester internships in Washington DC are available through The Washington Center and SUNY Brockport, and in Albany through the The New York State Assembly Session Internship. https://www.hofstra.edu/academics/colleges/hclas/polsci/polsci_intern.html