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1999-2000 Catalog

Degrees and Programs

Political Science

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Political Science
(907) 474-7609

Degree: B.A.

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 120 credits

Political science is the study of human efforts to create social organizations and processes compatible with our environment. Political science is related to all of the social science disciplines. It is the study of the dynamics of human behavior in various cultural, national and international spheres.

Students of political science may prepare for teaching or for advanced study in law and the social sciences, or prepare themselves for careers in public service.

Undergraduate Program

Major

Political Science -- B.A. Degree

  1. Complete the general university requirements. (As part of the core curriculum requirements, complete: PS 100X, PS 300X and HIST 100X.)
  2. Complete the B.A. degree requirements.
  3. Complete the following major (program) requirements:*
    PS 101 -- Introduction to American Government and Politics (3 credits)
    PS 222 -- Political Science Research Methods (3 credits)
    PS 492 -- Senior Seminar in Political Science (3 credits)
  4. Complete 24 credits in political science. Include at least 1 course from 4 of the following sub-disciplinary groups:*
    1. Group A -- American Government and Politics
      PS 212 -- Introduction to Public Administration (3 credits)
      PS 301 -- American Presidency (3 credits)
      PS 302W,O -- Congress and Public Policy (3 credits)
      PS 401W -- Political Behavior (3 credits)
      PS 403W -- Public Policy (3 credits)
      PS 462 -- Alaska Government and Politics (3 credits)
    2. Group B -- Public Law
      PS 303 -- Politics and the Judicial Process (3 credits)
      PS 330O -- Law, Justice and Society (3 credits)
      PS/JUST 404 -- Introduction to Legal Research and Writing (3 credits)
      PS 435W -- Constitutional Law I: Institutions and Governmental Powers (3 credits)
      PS 436W -- Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3 credits)
    3. Group C -- Comparative Politics
      PS 201 -- Comparative Politics (3 credits)
      PS 202 -- Cases in Comparative Politics (3 credits)
      PS 311W -- Government and Politics of Russia and the Periphery (3 credits)
      PS 312W -- East Asian Governments and Politics (3 credits)
      PS 460W -- Government and Politics of Canada (3 credits)
      PS/HIST 467W -- Political Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (3 credits)
    4. Group D -- International Politics
      PS 321W -- International Politics (3 credits)
      PS 322 -- International Law and Organization (3 credits)
      PS 323 -- Issues of International Political Economy (3 credits)
      PS 437 -- American Foreign Policy (3 credits)
      PS 438O -- Peace and National Security (3 credits)
    5. Group E -- Political Theory
      PS 314W -- Political Ideologies (3 credits)
      PS 315 -- American Political Thought (3 credits)
      PS/PHIL 411W,O -- Classical Political Theory (3 credits)
      PS/PHIL 412W,O -- Modern Political Theory (3 credits)
      PS 415 -- Contemporary Political Theory (3 credits)
  5. Minimum credits required (120 credits)

* Student must earn a "C" grade or better in each course.

Minor

  1. PS 101 -- Introduction to American Government and Politics (3 credits)
  2. Complete at least 1 course from 4 of the sub-disciplinary groups listed in the requirements for the B.A. degree in political science. (12 credits)
  3. Minimum credits required (15 credits)