Political Science - American Government Emphasis, B.S.
Political science students learn not only the concepts, theories and methods associated with the discipline, but also gain the cognitive and presentational skills required of tomorrow’s public and private leaders. At its core, politics is about building and maintaining communities at the local, state, national and international levels that enable citizens to live enriching and fulfilling lives. Political science students develop not only an understanding of those communities, but also the ability to influence them. The American Government Emphasis focuses on the political institutions and behaviors specifically in the American context.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Political Science Requirements | 120 Credits | |
| Complete the requirements | 90 | |
| Emphasis Requirements | ||
| Complete 18 credits from the following courses (at least one must be Writing Enriched): | 18 | |
| Contemporary American Indian Political and Social Issues (3) | ||
| Constitutional History to Plessy 1896 (3) | ||
| Constitutional History Since Plessy 1896 (3) | ||
| Foundations of American Constitutionalism (3) | ||
| US Constitution (3) | ||
| Race Gender and Class in Peace and Justice (3) | ||
| State and Local Government (3) | ||
| Survey Research and Design Methods (3) | ||
| Political Parties (3) | ||
| American Political Geography (3) | ||
| US Presidency (3) | ||
| Campaigns and Elections (3) | ||
| Political Psychology WE (3) | ||
| Public Opinion and Political Behavior (3) | ||
| US Congress (3) | ||
| Interest Groups (3) | ||
| Introduction to Public Policy WE (3) | ||
| Health Politics and Policy (3) | ||
| Race in Politics (3) | ||
| Issues and Topics in Political Science (3) | ||
| Independent Study (1-4) | ||
| Social and Political Philosophy (3) | ||
| Political Sociology (3) | ||
| Complete any 12 elective credits (4 credits must be upper division) | 12 | |
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credit Hours | 90 | |
| General Education Requirements | 35 Credits | |
| ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing CC | 3 |
| or ENGH 1005 | Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC | |
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing CC | 3 |
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| Quantitative Reasoning QL (3) (recommended) | ||
| Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra QL (6) (recommended) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics QL (3) | ||
| Introduction to Statistics with Algebra QL (5) | ||
| College Algebra QL (4) (recommended for business, Education, Science, and Health Professions majors) | ||
| College Algebra with Preliminaries QL (5) | ||
| Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
| American Civilization AS (3) | ||
| US History to 1877 AS and US History since 1877 AS (6) | ||
| US Economic History AS (3) | ||
| American Heritage AS (3) | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics and Values IH | 3 |
| HLTH 1100 | Personal Health and Wellness TE | 2 |
| or EXSC 1097 | Fitness for Life TE | |
| Distribution Courses: | ||
| Biology | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| Additional Biology or Physical Science | 3 | |
| Humanities | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
| Discipline Core Requirements | 30 Credits | |
| POLS 1100 | American National Government AS | 3 |
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations SS | 3 |
| POLS 2200 | Introduction to Comparative Politics SS | 3 |
| POLS 230G | Introduction to Political Theory GI | 3 |
| POLS 3000 | Political Analysis | 3 |
| POLS 4990 | Senior Seminar WE (3) | 3 |
| or POLS 480R | Internship WE | |
| or PJST 4900 | Peace and Justice Studies Capstone WE | |
| Quantitative Requirement | ||
| POLS 3010 | Political Analysis II | 3 |
| Complete 9 credits from the following courses: | 9 | |
| Public Program Analysis (3) | ||
| Survey Research and Design Methods (3) | ||
| Experimental Methods in Political Science (3) | ||
| Qualitative Analysis (3) | ||
| Policy Analysis (3) | ||
| Elective Requirements | 25 Credits | |
| Any courses numbered 1000 or higher. (3 credit hours must be upper division (3000-4000 level courses) | 25 | |
Graduation Requirements
- Completion of a minimum of 120 or more semester credits, 40 credits must be upper-division.
- Overall grade point average of 2.0 (C) or above, with no POLS course grade below C-.
- Residency hours: minimum of 30 credit hours through course attendance at UVU, with at least 10 hours earned in the last 45 hours.
- Completion of GE and specified departmental requirements.
- Successful completion of at least one Global/Intercultural course.
Graduation Plan
This graduation plan is a sample plan and is intended to be a guide. Your specific plan may differ based on your Math and English placement and/or transfer credits applied. You are encouraged to meet with an advisor and set up an individualized graduation plan in Wolverine Track.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Credit Hours | |
| ENGL 1010 or ENGH 1005 | Introduction to Academic Writing CC or Literacies and Composition Across Contexts CC | 3 |
| American Institutions | 3 | |
| Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Social/Behavioral Sciences | 3 | |
| Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing CC | 3 |
| MAT 1030 | Quantitative Reasoning QL | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
| HLTH 1100 or EXSC 1097 | Personal Health and Wellness TE or Fitness for Life TE | 2 |
| POLS 1100 | American National Government AS | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Semester 3 | ||
| PHIL 2050 | Ethics and Values IH | 3 |
| Biology | 3 | |
| Physical Science | 3 | |
| POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations SS | 3 |
| POLS 230G | Introduction to Political Theory GI | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Biological/Physical Science | 3 | |
| POLS 2200 | Introduction to Comparative Politics SS | 3 |
| Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Semester 5 | ||
| Language 1010 | 4 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| Upper-Div Elective | 3 | |
| POLS 3000 | Political Analysis | 3 |
| POLS 3300 | Introduction to Public Administration | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 6 | ||
| Language 1020 | 4 | |
| POLS 3310 | Introduction to Public Policy WE | 3 |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| POLS 3250 | Introduction to Law and Politics | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Semester 7 | ||
| Language 2010 | 4 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| POLS Concentration | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Semester 8 | ||
| Language 202G/2020 | 4 | |
| POLS 480R or POLS 4990 | Internship WE or Senior Seminar WE | 3 |
| Upper-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Upper-Div Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 13 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate critical reading, analytical thinking, advanced writing, and oral presentation skills.
- Demonstrate competency in identifying and comparing various types of political models, political theories, and academic literature.
- Acquire civic knowledge and understand how it is important for civic engagement.