Political Science | Bachelor of Arts: Political Science
Program Summary
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34 | |
| Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement | 10 | |
| Program (Major) Core | 22 | |
| Concentration Core | 12 | |
| Open Electives 1 | 42 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
Open electives are the credit hours required to reach a minimum of 120 total hours and 45 upper-level hours. The number listed assumes all courses are completed at FHSU as listed. This number may vary if students transfer courses, or have individual substitutions allowed. Students should speak with their advisor if either situation applies to determine if the number will vary, and to ensure they enroll in a minimum of 45 upper-level hours.
Students entering within 1 year of high school graduation will take UNIV 101 Freshman Seminar and may apply that hour in the open elective category.
Program Requirements
General Education
All undergraduate degrees require completion of the Kansas Systemwide General Education.
Courses identified with GE on this page may satisfy a general education requirement in addition to the identified degree requirement. Students who apply a degree requirement to satisfy a general education requirement will typically add an equal number of hours to the university elective category. This flexibility may allow you to complete a minor or certificate within the 120 hour degree. Transfer students and students majoring in programs with approved exceptions are especially encouraged to select these courses in completing General Education requirements to maximize the likelihood of completing the degree with 120 credit hours.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | 34-35 | |
BA Language Requirement
All FHSU students pursuing a BA degree are required to take two consecutive non-English language classes. Students taking beginning Spanish or French classes may be able to apply the first class to the Arts and Humanities area of the general education requirement.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts Language Requirement | 10 | |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Core for Political Science Major (BA/BS) | ||
| POLS 100 | Orientation to Political Science | 3 |
| POLS 101 | American Government | 3 |
| POLS 230 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| POLS 280 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | Political Philosophy | 3 |
| POLS 455 | Research Methods in Political Science | 3 |
| POLS 490 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| POLS 689 | Internship in Political Science | 1 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Concentration
In addition to the core students will select 12 hours from a concentration.
Open
Select one course from four different concentrations.
American Politics
The American Politics subfield gives students essential exposure to the institutions, actors, and processes in American government. This area of political science covers a broad range of behavioral and institutional accounts of electoral and campaign politics, the legislative process, political parties, executive power and bureaucracy, the policy process and administration of policy, public law, cultural politics, state and local government, political development over time, and political thought. Furthermore, the study of American politics is hardly confined to one government—50 state governments in a federalist system can act as experimental arenas in which policy is tested and evaluated.
Federalism is the idea that a national government shares power with sub-units of government. In the American case this means that the federal government in Washington DC does not have a monopoly on political power. 50 state governments have their own constitutional foundations, legislatures, executive branch (state governors), and state court systems. Furthermore, state governments must share power with local government entities, such as municipal or county-level governments. Federal, state, and local governments interact in complex ways that make the study and practice of politics in the United States a fascinating and challenging endeavor.
Studying institutions of American government gives FHSU students career readiness that positions them for rewarding careers in various layers of government, NGOs and non-profit organizations, and the private sector.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| American Politics | 12 | |
| Select 12 credit hours from the following: | ||
| State and Local Government | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
| The Congress | ||
| The Presidency | ||
| American Political Parties | ||
| Seminar in Political Science (Kansas Politics) | ||
Democratic Engagement
In this track in FHSU’s Political Science program, we aim to promote effective engagement in democratic life through the development of knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to foster the greater good. This track creates opportunities for personal and professional growth with a civic purpose more broadly and opens new space for collaboration within and outside the university. Political Science Programs pursue the service of the greater good for Fort Hays State University and the communities it serves
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Engagement | 12 | |
| Select 12 credit hours from the following: | ||
| Topics in Political Science | ||
| American Civil Liberties | ||
| Seminar in Political Science (Deliberative Democracy) | ||
| Additional Course by advisor approval | ||
International Relations/Comparative Politics
Looking for a career with an international flair such as a position with the United Nations or State Department? Are you interested in better understanding international organizations, foreign policy concerns, and other issues in world politics?
The International Relations/Comparative Politics concentration grounds you in the study of international relations through the study of nations, states, intergovernmental organizations and multi-national corporations. Through theory and hands-on learning opportunities, the International Relations/Comparative Politics concentration equips you with invaluable research and analytical skills and helps you build a solid foundation for your success either in graduate school or in the international relations field.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| International Relations Concentration | 12 | |
| Select 12 credit hours from the following: | ||
| Democracy and Liberty in Comparative Perspective | ||
| Field Work in Government | ||
| International Organization in World Politics | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Problems and Issues in World Politics | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
Political Theory
In one sense, political theory is a subfield of the discipline of political science, existing alongside other branches of political inquiry such as comparative politics, international relations, and American politics. But in another sense, political theory seems quite unique from the other subfields in that it can be regarded as the oldest and most fundamental form of political inquiry. It is a philosophical inquiry into political meaning that lays bare the most fundamental questions of the human experience.
What does it mean for an individual to be free? Is reason necessary to freedom? What form of equality should society strive for? How does one wield power for the sake of justice?
Political theory, then, does not just stand beside other branches, but can be considered foundational to the discipline of political science—the fountainhead of all other forms of political inquiry. Indeed, what appears to lie beneath the practice of inquiry in the other subfields of political science are fundamental questions and insights that strike to the heart of what we call political theory. For these reasons, it is essential that students have some exposure to political theory in order to:
- understand their own beliefs and ideological principles;
- evaluate contemporary political debate by understanding foundational principles that influence specific policy proposals and political positions; and
- articulate a sense of what justice, freedom, and equality are and how we should pursue these values in a democratic society.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Political Theory | 12 | |
| Select 12 credit hours from the following: | ||
| Foundations of Political Theory Course | ||
| POLS 650 | History of Political Theory | 3 |
| POLS 651 | Recent Political Theories | 3 |
| POLS 653 | American Political Thought | 3 |
Pre-Law
From pre-law courses to advising to co- and extra-curricular opportunities, the Pre-Law Program at FHSU will help you prepare for a career in law. Our rigorous academic curriculum will cultivate the skills, knowledge, values, and experiences necessary for success in law school and the legal profession. Advising resources and special programs will support your exploration of legal careers and completion of the law school application process.
For more information about law school preparation visit the pre-law page.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-Law | 12 | |
| Select 12 credit hours from the following: | ||
| Introduction to the Law | ||
| Topics in Political Science | ||
| Legal Advocacy | ||
| Legal Research Methods | ||
| Constitutional Law | ||
| American Civil Liberties | ||
| Seminar in Political Science | ||
| Philosophy of Law | ||
Public Administration
Studying Public Administration can ready you to become a public servant in a governmental agency at the federal, state, or local level. You can also work in think tanks, research institutes, or non-profit organizations to assist and influence government officials in policy-making.
Courses offered for the Public Administration concentration will introduce the basic theories, concepts, and practices in the field of public administration and policies. Students will gain an understanding of the political, legal, and social environment of public administration and will develop skills in policy analysis, personnel management, and public budgeting. With these skills, students are prepared for careers in a multitude of fields.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Public Administration/Public Policy | 12 | |
| Select 12 credit hours from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
| Policy Analysis | ||
| The Administrative Process | ||
| Public Personnel Management | ||
| Public Budgeting | ||
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Arts Degree Language Requirement | ||
| Two consecutive semesters of a non-English Language | ||
| All bachelor degrees require: | ||
| GPA of 2.0 on FHSU courses & 2.0 on all coursework (Higher program requirements prevail over the 2.0 when set) | ||
| A minimum of 30 hours earned from FHSU with a grade of D, C, B, or A | ||
| Successful completion of an upper division Writing and Information Literacy course (Most majors contain a course designated) | ||
| A minimum of 45 hours of recognized upper division credit | ||
| A minimum of 120 hours of recognized college credit | ||
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| SGE030 - Math Statistics Discipline Area | 3 | |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| COMM 100 | Fundamentals of Oral Communication | 3 |
| UNIV 101 | Freshman Seminar | 1 |
| POLS 100 | Orientation to Political Science | 3 |
| POLS 101 | American Government | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Personal and Professional Development | 3 | |
| SGE040 - Natural Physical Science Discipline Area | 4 | |
| ENG 102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| POLS 230 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
| PHIL 201 | Political Philosophy | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area | 3 | |
| SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area | 3 | |
| SGE070 - Institutionally Designated Area: Critical Thinking | 3 | |
| POLS 280 | Introduction to Public Policy | 3 |
| POLS 320 | Introduction to the Law | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| SGE060 - Arts Humanities Discipline Area | 3 | |
| SGE050 - Social Behavioral Sciences Discipline Area | 3 | |
| POLS 310 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MLNG 225 | Beginning Spanish I | 5 |
| POLS 675 | Seminar in Political Science | 3 |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| MLNG 226 | Beginning Spanish II | 5 |
| POLS 455 | Research Methods in Political Science | 3 |
| POLS 689 | Internship in Political Science | 3 |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 401 | The Congress | 3 |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 490 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Academic Degree Maps are term-by-term sample course plans that specify milestones, courses, and special requirements that are necessary for facilitating on-time completion. Degree Maps are examples and are not prescriptive. Individualized choices such as concentration options, transfer credits, optional minors, advisory programs (certificates), etc. can alter the recommended coursework. Course offerings are subject to change. Students should consult with their academic advisors for additional guidance on course planning.
To determine courses to take in the directed choices (often listed as Program Elective Course) and directed elective course blocks see the overview tab for courses. To locate approved courses in General Education areas (Undergraduate Programs) see the general education section of the catalog.
The undergraduate course maps typically advise the most efficient route for students to complete the general education requirements. Courses that are required in the major may be listed as fulfilling relevant general education requirements. This will result in more open elective course hours in some maps than is listed on the degree overview page.