Undergraduate Degree ProgramThe program in political science leading to the B.A. or B.S. degree is designed to meet the needs of the liberal arts major who wishes to learn more about public and international affairs, government, and the demands of citizenship. It is appropriate for professionally motivated students who wish to pursue careers in political science, public administration, international organizations, domestic government, communications, education, or law. It is also appropriate for inquiring students desiring to learn more about the way human beings live together and the structures and institutions they have developed (or might develop) to facilitate social cooperation and conflict management. Degree Requirements Students seeking to major in political science may choose a course of study from the three options available in the division. The basic major option offers a traditional course of study in political science that involves some exposure to three basic areas of the discipline. The politics of diversity option offers students the opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary course of study, under the supervision of a member of the political science faculty, in some aspect of politics of diversity. The politics of conflict and cooperation option offers students the opportunity to pursue an interdisciplinary course of study, again under the supervision of a member of the political science faculty, in some aspect of politics of conflict and its resolution at the national and international level. Specific details regarding each of these majors, including their requirements, are set forth below. Once a student has been admitted to Portland State University, upper-division courses used to meet political science major requirements must be taken at the University. Courses taken at another college or university must have received prior approval from the Division of Political Science. All courses used to satisfy the departmental major requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, must be graded "C" or above. Undergraduate Degree Requirement Worksheet Basic Major In addition to meeting the University's general education requirements, a student wishing to pursue a basic major in political science must take a minimum of 48 credits in political science distributed as follows:
All courses submitted to satisfy the requirements for a major in political science must be passed with a grade of "C" or above. Politics of Diversity The politics of diversity option allows students to select an independent and interdisciplinary course of study that focuses on some aspect of the politics of diversity. Students choosing this option must select a faculty adviser from the departmental faculty who will supervise the student's program and advise them on how to proceed. This major encourages students to identify some basic issue area or problem area that involves the politics of diversity that will become the subject of analysis and research. Divisional courses associated with the politics of diversity option are arranged under three topical headings: diversity in America, regional and global diversity, and diversity and justice. Information regarding the department courses associated with each of these areas is available at the departmental office. This option also requires students to select four courses from outside the department as a part of the major requirements. These courses are to be selected with the advice and consent of a student's adviser. A list of recommended outside courses is available at the division's office. Politics of Conflict and Cooperation The politics of conflict and cooperation option allows students to select an independent and interdisciplinary course of study that focuses on some aspect of the politics of conflict and cooperation. Students choosing this option must select a faculty adviser from the departmental faculty who will supervise the student's program and advise them on how to proceed. This option encourages students to identify some basic issue area or problem area that involves the politics of conflict and cooperation that will become the subject of analysis and research. Divisional courses associated with the politics of conflict and cooperation option are arranged under three topical headings: conflict and cooperation in America, international conflict and cooperation, and theories of conflict and cooperation. Information regarding the departmental courses associated with each of these areas is available at the departmental office. This option also requires students to select four courses from outside the department as a part of the major requirements. These courses are to be selected with the advice and consent of a student's adviser. A list of outside courses is available at the division's office. Basic requirements for the politics of diversity and politics of peace and conflict major options are as follows:
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