Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Political Science (BA)

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.tamiu.edu/.

Hours Required

A minimum of 120 semester credit hours (SCH): 45 hours must be advanced, and fulfillment of degree requirements as specified in the "Requirements for Graduation" section of this catalog.

Requirements

[University Core Curriculum]
Select 42 SCH as outlined in the suggested plans and as specified in the "Requirements for Graduation"42
Math Elective
Select 3 SCH from any math course above the level of College Algebra. (MATH 1342, Introductory Statistics, strongly recommended)3
Life & Physical Science Lab
Select 1 SCH compatible with a Life & Physical Science course1
Foreign Language
Select 6 SCH in course work (not credit by exam) above the university’s foreign language graduation requirement. Thus, students who meet the university’s foreign language graduation requirement by earning 6 hours of credit by exam, may take 6 SCH in the same language but at the intermediate level or above, or they may take 6 SCH of another foreign language at the introductory level. This requirement may also be met by earning 6 SCH in any subject while participating in a TAMIU-approved Study Abroad program while living for at least 4 weeks in another country. 6
Major
PSCI 2301Intro to Political Leadership3
PSCI/CRIJ/SOCI 3301Research Methods in Social Sci3
PSCI 4351Senior Seminar in PSCI3
American Politics
Select 6 SCH from the following:6
Congress and the Presidency
The Constitution and Civil Lib
Constitution and Crim Pro Law
Constitution and Govt Powers
The Political System of U.S
Special Stud in Political Sci *
Constitutional Law
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
The Constitution and Civil Lib
Constitution and Govt Powers
Special Stud in Political Sci *
Political Philosophy
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
Class&Med Political Phil
Modern Political Philosophy
Special Stud in Political Sci *
Comparative Politics
Select 3 SCH from the following:3
Govt & Politics of Europe
Latin American Pol Systems
Studies in Comp Politics
Special Stud in Political Sci *
International Politics
Select 6 SCH from the following:6
International Law & Org
The Interamerican System
Mexican Politics & Government
Special Stud in Political Sci *
International Politics
American Foreign Policy
Select 6 SCH at the 3000-4000 level (or higher for BA/MA students) not used for any other requirement6
Minor
Select a minimum of 18 SCH from one discipline at least twelve of which must be at the 3000-4000 level. See Appendix C. Instead of a minor, students may complete 18 SCH of electives, 12 SCH of which must be at the 3000-4000 level, from any discipline, except the major field, outside the College of Nursing and Health Sciences18
General Electives
Select 14 SCH, at least 9 of which must be at the 3000-4000 level. Students who do not elect to have a minor curriculum may use up to 9 hours of the resulting general electives in their major curriculum14
Total Semester Credit Hours120

Following is a suggested four-year degree plan. Students are encouraged to see their advisor each semester for help with program decisions and enrollment; responsible for reviewing the Program of Study Requirements; responsible for meeting all course prerequisites; and must meet foreign language and writing intensive course requirements for graduation. See Academic Regulations-Undergraduate online.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallSemester Credit Hours
ENGL 1301 English Composition I 3
GEOG 1303 General World Geography 3
HIST 1301 The US to 1877 3
MATH 1314 College Algebra 3
UNIV 1101 Learn a Global Context I 1
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring
ENGL 1302 English Composition II 3
HIST 1302 The US Since 1877 3
UNIV 1402 Signature Course 4
MATH - Math Elective 3
Minor/General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Sophomore
Fall
PSCI 2305 American National Government 3
Creative Arts 3
Foreign Language/Study Abroad 3
Language, Philosophy & Culture 3
Life & Physical Science 3
Life & Physical Science Lab 1
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring
PSCI 2301 Intro to Political Leadership 3
PSCI 2306 American State Government 3
Foreign Language/Study Abroad 3
Minor/General Elective 3
Life & Physical Science 3
Life & Physical Science Lab 1
 Semester Credit Hours16
Junior
Fall
PSCI 3301 Research Methods in Social Sci 3
PSCI - American Politics 3
PSCI - American Politics 3
General Elective 2
Advance Minor/Advance General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours14
Spring
PSCI - Constitutional Law 3
PSCI - Political Philosophy 3
PSCI - Advanced PSCI Elective 3
Advance Minor/Advance General Elective 3
Advanced General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Senior
Fall
PSCI - Comparative Politics 3
PSCI - International Politics 3
PSCI - International Politics 3
Advance Minor/Advance General Elective 3
Advanced General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring
PSCI 4351 Senior Seminar in PSCI 3
PSCI - Advanced PSCI Elective 3
Advance Minor/Advance General Elective 3
Advanced General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours12
 Total Semester Credit Hours120

Actual degree plans may vary depending on availability of courses in a given semester.

Some courses may require prerequisites not listed.