Apr 27, 2024

2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Political Science, B.A.

Location(s): Statesboro, Armstrong-Savannah

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A political science major is a social science degree path that requires students to study government in theory and practice. Majors will explore topics related to American politics, political theory, international relations, comparative politics and more. By the time they complete their degrees, students should understand political issues and theories and have the skills to confidently approach research questions.

Degree Requirements: 124 Credit Hours

See Core Curriculum for required courses in Area A1 through Area E.

General Requirements (Core Areas A - E): 42 Credit Hours

Additional Requirements: 4 Credit Hours

Area F - Courses Appropriate to Major: 18 Credit Hours

FORL 2001 - Intermediate I (3 Credit Hours)
FORL 2002 - Intermediate II (3 Credit Hours)
PHIL 2010 - Introduction to Philosophy (3 Credit Hours)
POLS 2101 - Introduction to Political Science (3 Credit Hours)
POLS 2130 - Introduction to Political Analysis (3 Credit Hours)

Area F Elective:

Select one of the following. If any of the above are taken to satisfy Areas C-E, also select from the following:

ANTH 1102 - Introduction to Anthropology (3 Credit Hours)
CRJU 1100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)
ECON 2106 - Principles of Microeconomics (3 Credit Hours)
FORL 1001: Beginning I (3 Credit Hours)
FORL 1002: Beginning II (3 Credit Hours)
GEOG 1130 - World Regional Geography (3 Credit Hours)
PBAD 2231 - Introduction to Public Administration (3 Credit Hours)
PSYC 1101 - Introduction to Psychology (3 Credit Hours)
SOCI 1101 - Introduction to Sociology (3 Credit Hours)
STAT 1401 - Elementary Statistics (3 Credit Hours)

Major Requirements: 27 Credit Hours

Major Core (15 Credit Hours)

Major Subfields (12 Credit Hours)

Students must select one (1) course from each subfield below.
Students may use up to 6 hours of courses in a concentration, emphasis, or certificate to satisfy subfield requirements.

American Politics

Comparative Politics

International Politics

Political Theory

Political Science Electives (No Concentration): 6 Credit Hours

Select two Political Science Electives from courses below. Students also may choose upper division courses from the above subfields, the concentration, or the emphasis. A maximum of 12 hours of Internship may be taken between POLS electives and general electives.

Area of Concentration, Emphasis, or Certificate: 15-18 credit hours

In lieu of the general degree, students may choose a concentration, emphasis, and/or certificate in the following areas:

Concentration in Global Security Studies (18 Credit Hours)

Emphasis in Law and Politics¹ (15 Credit Hours)

Paralegal Certificate¹ (15 Credit Hours)

¹The Emphasis in Law and Politics and Paralegal Certificate may be earned concurrently.

See below for requirements.

Required Minor: 15 Credit Hours

General Electives: 0-12 Credit Hours

Students needing to satisfy FORL pre-requisites for 2001 must use general electives if those requirements are not satisfied by Core Area A-E requirements or other placement equivalents.

Total Credit Hours: 124

Area of Concentration, Emphasis, and Certificate

Concentration in Global Security Studies

Required Courses: 6 credit hours

POLS 1150 - World Politics (3 Credit Hours)

Homeland Defense & National Security Area: 3-6 Credit Hours

State-centered, focused on demands ascribed to the state, defend states from external aggression, decision-making power centralized in the government, emphasis on national power and military defense.

Select three (3) to six (6) credit hours from below:

Homeland Security Area: 3-6 credit hours

People-centered, focus on protecting individuals, includes safety from external aggression, environmental, health, and economic threats, empowers not only the government, but IGOs, NGOs, and individuals.

Select three (3) to six (6) credit hours from below:

International Law and Peace Area: 3-6 credit hours

Focuses on individual and collective responses to Global Security concerns, emphasizing the role of the government, IGOs, NGOs, and individuals.

Select three (3) to six (6) credit hours from below:

Total Credit Hours: 18

Emphasis in Law and Politics

Required Courses: 9 Credit Hours

Emphasis Electives: 6 Credit Hours

Select six credit hours from below:

Total Credit Hours: 15

Paralegal Certificate Program

Required Courses: 9 Credit Hours

Certificate Electives: 6 Credit Hours

Select six credit hours from below:

Total Credit Hours: 15

Other Program Requirements

Majors must earn a minimum grade of “C” in Introduction to Political Science ( POLS 2101 ), Introduction to Political Analysis (POLS 2130 ), and all upper level POLS courses.

Advisement

Undergraduate Academic Advisement at Georgia Southern is provided to all degree-seeking undergraduate students by professional advisors. Academic Advisors are located on all three Georgia Southern University campuses. Students are required to meet with their assigned Academic Advisor at least once a semester. For more information visit the Academic Advisement catalog page.