Contact Information

David G. Wittner, Ph.D.
Chair, Government & Politics and International Studies
R308 Romano Hall

(315) 792-3332

Major in Government and Politics 


School of Arts and Sciences 


(Bachelor of Arts Degree)

Government and politics studies the processes, principles, and structure of power and authority. Governmental and legal systems and informal political structures and their relationship to various cultures are examined. Decision-making and the way in which society chooses social goals and allocates its resources are studied. This major is designed to meet the needs of those whose field of interest is government and politics and those who want a career as a social science teacher at the secondary school level or as an elementary school teacher. It is an appropriate major for careers in government service, law, and other positions which require an understanding of governmental policy and procedure.

Students considering public school teaching as a career should refer to the programs in education, listed alphabetically in this section of the catalog.

Total credit hours required for degree: 120

ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS


(See also General Education Core)

Course Credit Hours Year Taken
Core 34-55  
(Some of the following may be used to satisfy college core requirements)

Major Course Requirements 30 2,3,4
A. Introduction
(Government and Politics 101, 261, 281)		 9  
B. American Politics
(One course from the following: Government and Politics 212, 215, 221, 251, 332, 333)		 3  
C. Comparative Politics
(One course from the following: Government and Politics 271, 372, 373, 374, 375)		 3  
D. International Politics
(One course from the following: Government and Politics 363, 364, 365, 368)		 3  
E. Law
(One course from the following: Government and Politics 242, 345, 346)		 3  
F. Independent Research
(One course from the following: Government and Politics 435, 464, 490)		 3  
G. Government and Politics electives 6  
Major-Related Concentration 15  
(Each major must select one of the following concentrations. In some cases the concentration requires that specific political science courses be taken to satisfy major course requirements. Some of the non-major courses (*) have prerequisites, some of which also may be used to satisfy core requirements.)

International Business Management
(15)  
(Government and Politics 368 required)
Economics 131* 3  
Economics 443* 3  
Management 201* 3  
Management 459 3  
Marketing 415* 3  
 
Political Public Relations
(15)  
(Depending on focus desired, two of the following are required as part of the major course requirements: Government and Politics 212, 313, 251, or 332)
Prerequisites: Journalism Studies 261 and 262
A. Journalism 181 3  
B. Public Relations 182 3  
C. Journalism 362* 3  
D. Public Relations 372* 3  
E. Public Relations 375* 3  
 
Public Administration
(15)  
(Government and Politics 333 required)
A. Economics 442* 3  
Management 371 or Management 375* 3  
Government and Politics 332 3  
B. One course from the following: 3  
Computer Science 117, 118
Economics 241*
Mathematics 112
Psychology/Sociology 211
Sociology 312*
C. Internship 3  
 
Social Sciences
(15)  
Courses at 200-level or higher in other Social Sciences (Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Psychology, Social Studies, and Sociology), Philosophy, Mathematics 112, and/or Computer Science 117, 118.

Electives
The student must complete sufficient elective courses to earn at least the minimum credit hours required for this degree, and at least 90 credit hours of the 120 required must be in the liberal arts and sciences.