DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE (PSC)

Professor William H. Stewart, Chairperson
Office: 302 ten Hoor Hall

Requirements for the major in political science. The political science major requires 30 hours, including PSC 101, PSC 201, and PSC 202, with 21 additional hours to be taken from at least three areas of political science and including at least 12 hours in courses numbered 300 or above. To be admitted to the major, a student must earn a "C+" (2.33) average in PSC 101, PSC 201, and one other 200-level political science course. The student must also earn a "C" (2.00) in each course applicable to the major. A student may choose to take 14 hours, including tested competence, of a foreign language in place of PSC 202, but must have no fewer than 30 hours in political science. A minimum of 12 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus. To enroll in 400-level political science courses, a student must have junior standing or instructor approval.

Requirements for the minor in political science. The political science minor requires 18 hours including PSC 101 and PSC 201. Courses must be taken from at least two areas of political science, with at least 6 hours of work in courses numbered 300 or above. A minimum of 6 hours at the 300 or 400 level must be earned on this campus.

Note: Majors and minors are strongly encouraged to complete the sequence of required courses (PSC 101, PSC 201, and, for majors, PSC 202) prior to enrolling in other political science coursework. The required courses are intended to provide a foundation on which the other courses build.

Acceptable courses. Acceptable courses from each field for majors and minors are as follows:

• American government: PSC 102, PSC 103, PSC 211, PSC 311, PSC 312, PSC 313, PSC 314, PSC 315, PSC 316, PSC 364, PSC 411, PSC 412, PSC 413, PSC 414, PSC 423, and PSC 466

• Comparative politics: PSC 203, PSC 317, PSC 331, PSC 332, PSC 333, PSC 341, PSC 352, PSC 432, PSC 433, PSC 436, and PSC 443

• Political theory: PSC 205, PSC 251, PSC 317, PSC 352, PSC 362, and PSC 451

• Public administration: PSC 206, PSC 211, PSC 361, PSC 362, PSC 412, PSC 461, PSC 462, and PSC 466

• International relations: PSC 204, PSC 342, PSC 413, PSC 414, PSC 434, PSC 435, and PSC 442

• Where appropriate: PSC 320, PSC 321, PSC 399, and PSC 422

The Department of Political Science does not have a language requirement for undergraduates. Nevertheless, any major anticipating graduate study is urged to study a modern foreign language.

A major or minor in political science may be applied toward the Alabama Class B Secondary Professional Teaching Certificate (see p. 114).

Double major and certificate program. The double-major interdisciplinary program in regional and urban planning/political science and the regional and urban planning certificate program are described on p. 111.

Special recognition in political science. The department sponsors a local chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. To be eligible for election to Pi Sigma Alpha, a student must have taken at least 12 hours of political science with a 3.3 overall grade point average. At least one course must have been at or above the 300 level. In addition, a student must have a 3.0 overall grade point average for all coursework undertaken prior to the time of election.

A Suggested Sequence of Courses for the Political Science Major
FRESHMAN YEAR
First Semester			Second Semester
Course	Hours		Course	Hours
PSC 101	3		PSC 201	3
EN 101	3		EN 102	3
MATH3	3-4		History1	3
Natural science	4		Natural science	4
Foreign language or computer science	3-4		Foreign language or computer science	3-4
	------			------
	16-17			16-17
SOPHOMORE YEAR
First Semester			Second Semester
Course	Hours		Course	Hours
PSC 202	3		Political science elective	3
EN 225	3		EN 226 or EN 227	3
Humanities1	3		Fine arts1	3
Social and behavioral sciences1	3		Minor	3
Computer science or elective	3		Elective	3
	------			------
	15			15
JUNIOR YEAR2
First Semester			Second Semester
Course	Hours		Course	Hours
Political science elective	3		Political science elective	3
Social and behavioral sciences1	3		Minor	6
Minor	6		History or social and behavioral sciences1	3
Electives	6		Electives	3-6
	------			------
	18			15-18
SENIOR YEAR2
First Semester			Second Semester
Course	Hours		Course	Hours
Political science electives, 300 or 400 level	6		Political science electives, 300 or 400 level	6
Minor	3		Minor	3
Elective or minor	3		Electives	6-9
Elective	3
	------			------
	15			15-18
Total: At least 128

¹A maximum of 6 hours in any one department may be applied to the humanities, literature, and fine arts (HU, L, FA) and history and social and behavioral sciences (HI, SB) requirements.

²Six hours in courses designated W must be included in the junior or senior year. A minimum of 33 hours in 300- and 400-level courses must be completed, including 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor.

³MATH course number is determined by placement. MATH 110 or higher is required.

Graduate programs. The Department of Political Science offers programs leading to the master of arts in political science, the master of public administration, and the doctor of philosophy degrees. The requirements for these degrees are stated in the University of Alabama graduate catalog.