Sample Program

The Political Science Department offers a major and a minor in political science. The department teaches courses that present competing perspectives on politics. Given the pervasive influence of politics on the daily lives of all citizens, it is indispensable for well-educated persons to gain an understanding of politics to enable them to critically analyze the world around them and to more effectively exercise their civic responsibilities.         

The political science major includes introductory courses in each of the subfields of political science. Upper level courses build on the theory and framework provided by the 100 and 200-level courses. The major culminates with a capstone experience which provides students with the opportunity to do extensive research and present their findings in a seminar setting.

            Degrees in political science and international relations are a strong foundation for careers in a number of areas, including local, state or national government, law, transnational governmental or non-governmental organizations, labor and industrial relations, city management and urban planning, political consulting and campaign management, interest groups and social interest lobbying, and journalism.

The majors in political science and international relations require a minimum of 36 credit hours. At least 18 credit hours must be at the 300 level or higher. At least 18 credit hours must be taken at McKendree College. Only grades better than D in a major course will be accepted. The interdisciplinary requirements for the international relations major must include courses from at least two different departments.

The minor in political science requires a minimum of 21 credit hours, including three of the following: PSI 101, PSI 210, PSI 220, and PSI 230. At least 12 credit hours must be at the 300 level or higher. At least 12 credit hours must be taken at McKendree College. Only grades better than D in a minor course will be accepted.

POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR REQUIREMENTS                                            36 crs.

PSI 200           RESEARCH METHODS                                                                 (3)
PSI 490           SENIOR SEMINAR                                                                         (3)

At least 9 credits from the following:                                                                                   

PSI 101           AMERICAN GOVERNMENT                                                        (3)
PSI 210           INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS            (3)
PSI 220           INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS                     (3)
PSI 230           INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY                               (3)

At least 12 credits from among the following:                                                                     

PSI 102           STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT                                         (3)
PSI 301           CONGRESS                                                                                      (3)
PSI 302           PRESIDENCY                                                                                   (3)
PSI 303           CONSTITUTIONAL LAW                                                               (3)
PSI 304           CAMPAIGNS AND ELECTIONS                                                   (3)
PSI 305           PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS                                            (3)
PSI 306           PUBLIC POLICY                                                                              (3)
PSI 309           TOPICS IN AMERICAN POLITICS                                              (3)
PSI 331           SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY                                   (3)
PSI 339           TOPICS IN POLITICAL THEORY                                                 (3)

At least 9 credits from among the following:

PSI 311           INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS                                       (3)
PSI 312           INTERNATIONAL LAW                                                                (3)
PSI 313           INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL ECONOMY                              (3)
PSI 314           UNITED STATES FOREIGN POLICY                                          (3)
PSI 315           GENDER AND INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS                       (3)
PSI 319           TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS                              (3)
PSI 329           TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS                                      (3)

Supplementary requirements                                                                                                  

FOREIGN LANGUAGE                                                                                           (8)

Sample Four-Year Program in Political Science

The following assumes a student double majoring in political science and another major that requires 36 hours. We strongly encourage students to double major or minor in another area.

Semester One                                                Semester Two

PSI 101 American Government                        PSI 102 State and Local Government
Double Major Requirement                              Double Major Requirement
General Education Requirement                        General Education Requirement
General Education Requirement                        General Education Requirement
General Education Requirement                        General Education Requirement

Semester Three                                             Semester Four

PSI 200 Research Methods                            PSI 210 Intro to International Relations
PSI 220 Intro to Comparative Politics             Double Major Requirement
Double Major Requirement                             Double Major Requirement
General Education Requirement                       General Education Requirement
General Education Requirement                       General Education Requirement

Semester Five                                               Semester Six

American Politics Course                                American Politics Course
International Relations Course                         Double Major
Double Major                                                 Double Major
General Education Requirement                       General Education Requirement
General Education Requirement                       General Education Requirement
Foreign Language Requirement                        Foreign Language Requirement

Semester Seven                                            Semester Eight

American Politics Course                               PSI 490 Senior Seminar
International Relations Course                        International Relations Course
Double Major Requirement                            Double Major Requirement
Double Major Requirement                            Double Major Requirement
General Education Requirement                     General Education Requirement