Political Science Major, B.S.

Department Information

Department of Political Science, International Affairs, and Public Administration
PO Box 70651
Phone: (423) 439-4217
Web Address: www.etsu.edu/cas/polisci/

Political Science is the study of government, politics, and public policy in the United States and other countries, and of the relations among nations and states in the world community. The Political Science curriculum is designed to provide students with factual knowledge of these subjects and with the ability to analyze and evaluate different governmental systems, ideologies, political practices, and policy proposals. The Political Science major prepares students to be informed and engaged citizens and to pursue careers in government, law, public administration, education, journalism, international institutions, and political organizations.

Double counting of credits for the Political Science major and for another major or a minor is limited and must have the approval of the Coordinator of the Political Science major or the Chair of the Political Science Department.

• Political Science major and Legal Studies Minor   - One course can be double-counted from the following: PSCI 3200 , PSCI 3205 , PSCI 3210 , PSCI 3220 , PSCI 3230  
• Political Science major and Public Administration Minor  - One course can be double-counted: PSCI 1120  
• Political Science major and International Affairs Minor  - Two courses can be double-counted: PSCI 2210  or PSCI 2220 , PSCI 3440  
• Political Science major and International Affairs Major  - Two courses can be double-counted: PSCI 2210  or PSCI 2220 , PSCI 3440  

Advising

Students with 0-59 earned credits:

Contact the Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) to schedule an appointment with your advisor. Visit the CASE website www.etsu.edu/cas/case/ and call (423) 439-5602.

Students with 60 or more earned credits:

Transfer and Residency Policy

Transfer students majoring in political science should contact the Center for Advisement and Student Excellence (CASE) for advising as soon as possible. This will ensure that the student’s previous work will be coordinated efficiently with ETSU requirements.

Transfer students should note that the Political Science major requires that at least 15 of the 36 credits required must be completed at East Tennessee State University.  Additionally, they must meet the specific requirements for the major or minor and maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in their courses in Political Science.

Degree Requirements: 120 credits

Suggested Four-Year Program of Study: PSCI-BS  

College of Arts and Sciences : Visit link to view the complete list of B.S. degree requirements.

• 8 credits of Natural Science in a sequence
• PHIL 2640  
• PHIL 2030  or COMM 2055  
• MATH 1530  or MATH 1910  

General Education Requirements   

These requirements include earning 41-42 credits in Communication, Humanities and Fine Arts, Social and Behavior Sciences, History, Natural Sciences and Mathematics categories.

Total Requirements for Political Science Major: 36 credits

Political Science Major Core Requirements: 12 credits

• PSCI 1110 - Introduction to Political Science (3 credits)
• PSCI 1120 - Introduction to American Government (3 credits)

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• PSCI 2210 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (3 credits)

• or

• PSCI 2220 - Introduction to World Politics (3 credits)

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• PSCI 3440 - Research Methods (3 credits)

Choose one (1) course from each of the following five (5) sub-fields: 15 credits

• American Politics (AP)

• PSCI 3030 - American Political Parties (3 credits)
• PSCI 3050 - Interest Groups in American Politics (3 credits)
• PSCI 3060 - Southern Politics (3 credits)
• PSCI 3500 - The President and Congress (3 credits)
• PSCI 3710 - State and Local Government (3 credits)
• PSCI 4730 - American Public Policy (3 credits)
• PSCI 4950 - Senior Seminar (1-3 credits)

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• Comparative Politics (CP)

• PSCI 3010 - Chinese Politics (3 credits)
• PSCI 3800 - European Politics (3 credits)
• PSCI 3830 - Government and Politics of Latin America (3 credits)
• PSCI 3850 - Politics of the Middle East (3 credits)
• PSCI 3900 - Government and Politics of Russia and East Europe (3 credits)
• PSCI 4820 - Politics of Development and Change (3 credits)

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• International Relations (IR)

• PSCI 3000 - Peace, Security, and Development (3 credits)
• PSCI 3310 - International Relations (3 credits)
• PSCI 3350 - International Political Economy (3 credits)
• PSCI 3750 - International Law and Organizations (3 credits)
• PSCI 4300 - International Politics (3 credits)
• PSCI 4330 - American Foreign Policy (3 credits)

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• Political Theory (PT)

• PSCI 3130 - American Political Thought (3 credits)
• PSCI 3150 - Democratic Theory (3 credits)
• PSCI 4030 - Black American Political Thought (3 credits)
• PSCI 4100 - Classical Political Philosophy (3 credits)
• PSCI 4120 - Modern Political Philosophy (3 credits)

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• Public Law (PL)

• PSCI 3200 - Law and Judicial Process (3 credits)
• PSCI 3205 - Constitution and Civil Liberties (3 credits)
• PSCI 3210 - Due Process and Adjudication (3 credits)
• PSCI 3220 - The Supreme Court (3 credits)
• PSCI 3230 - American Constitutional Law (3 credits)

PSCI Electives: 9 credits

• Three (3) courses to be selected freely from the Political Science, International Affairs, and Public Administration Department’s offerings.

Minor: 18-24 credits

Free Electives: 18-25 credits

Additional Information

Click here to view Degree and Graduation Requirements  for all ETSU students.

CSCI 1100  or Proficiency Exam: Must complete to meet Graduation requirements

Most minors range from 18-24 credits. Those few minors with more than 24 credits may affect the number of free electives allowed.

Licensure Certification: Students interested in pursuing a teacher licensure program for certification should contact the advisor in the Office of Student Services, 321 Warf-Pickel Hall, College of Education. Students will major in the subject they wish to teach and minor in Secondary Education.