Political Science - American Government Emphasis, B.S.
Visit the History and Political Science Department page for more information on the program and access to advising.
Program Description
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 (3) | ||
Public Opinion and Political Behavior (3) | ||
US Congress (3) | ||
Interest Groups (3) | ||
Introduction to Law and Politics (3) | ||
Introduction to Public Policy (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 | 30 Credits | |
ENGL 1010 | Introduction to Academic Writing | 3 |
or ENGH 1005 | Literacies and Composition Across Contexts | |
ENGL 2010 | Intermediate Academic Writing | 3 |
Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
Quantitative Reasoning (3) (recommended) | ||
Quantitative Reasoning with Integrated Algebra (6) (recommended) | ||
Introduction to Statistics (3) | ||
Introduction to Statistics with Algebra (5) | ||
College Algebra (4) (recommended for business, Education, Science, and Health Professions majors) | ||
College Algebra with Preliminaries (5) | ||
Complete one of the following: | 3 | |
American History (3) | ||
US History to 1877 and US History since 1877 (6) | ||
US Economic History (3) | ||
American Heritage (3) | ||
Distribution Courses: | ||
Biology | 3 | |
Physical Science | 3 | |
Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
Humanities | 3 | |
Fine Arts | 3 | |
Social/Behavioral Science | 3 | |
Discipline Core Requirements | 30 Credits | |
POLS 1100 | American National Government | 3 |
POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
POLS 2200 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
POLS 2300 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
POLS 3000 | Political Analysis | 3 |
POLS 4990 | Senior Seminar (3) | 3 |
or POLS 4800R | Internship | |
or PJST 4900 | Peace and Justice Studies Capstone | |
Quantitative Requirement | ||
POLS 3010 | Political Analysis II | 3 |
Complete 9 credits from the following courses: | 9 | |
Survey Research and Design Methods (3) | ||
or SOC 4020 | Survey Research Design | |
Survey Research Design (3) | ||
Experimental Methods in Political Science (3) | ||
Qualitative Analysis (3) | ||
Policy Analysis (3) | ||
Elective Requirements | 30 Credits | |
Any courses numbered 1000 or higher. (3 credit hours must be upper division (3000-4000 level courses) | 30 |
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.
- Successful completion of at least two Writing Enriched courses.
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 or Literacies and Composition Across Contexts | 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 | 3 |
MAT 1030 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
POLS 1100 | American National Government | 3 |
Lower-Div Elective | 2 | |
Credit Hours | 14 | |
Second Year | ||
Semester 3 | ||
Lower-Div Elective | 3 | |
Biology | 3 | |
Physical Science | 3 | |
POLS 2100 | Introduction to International Relations | 3 |
POLS 2300 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
Credit Hours | 15 | |
Semester 4 | ||
Personal, Professional, and Civic Growth | 3 | |
POLS 2200 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 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 |
Upper-Div Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Semester 6 | ||
Language 1020 | 4 | |
POLS Concentration | 3 | |
POLS 3010 | Political Analysis II | 3 |
POLS Concentration | 3 | |
Upper-Div Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Fourth Year | ||
Semester 7 | ||
Language 2010 | 4 | |
Upper-Div Elective | 3 | |
POLS Concentration | 3 | |
POLS Concentration | 3 | |
POLS Concentration | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 16 | |
Semester 8 | ||
Language 202G/2020 | 4 | |
POLS 4800R | Internship or Senior Seminar or Peace and Justice Studies Capstone | 3 |
Upper-Div Elective | 3 | |
Upper-Div Elective | 3 | |
Credit Hours | 13 | |
Total Credit Hours | 120 |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Interpret principles of politics and government, including political values, institutions, and processes of various times and places
- Apply the major concepts, theories, and methods of political analysis to support arguments and opinions
- Demonstrate analytical and critical thinking by systematically applying sound logic and valid evidence to political analysis
- Communicate key arguments and results of political analyses effectively in writing and oral presentation
- Acquire civic knowledge to be able to participate as civically engaged members of society
Managers, all other
- Total Positions1,282,500
- Field Growth5.7%
- Median Salary$133,560
- Average Openings105.8
Compliance officers
- Total Positions403,900
- Field Growth5.4%
- Median Salary$75,670
- Average Openings34.4
Political scientists
- Total Positions6,200
- Field Growth2.6%
- Median Salary$132,350
- Average Openings0.5
Social science research assistants
- Total Positions37,500
- Field Growth6.3%
- Median Salary$56,400
- Average Openings5.0
Political science teachers, postsecondary
- Total Positions21,700
- Field Growth3.3%
- Median Salary$93,810
- Average Openings1.7
Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
- Total Positions1,071,400
- Field Growth-0.6%
- Median Salary$65,220
- Average Openings64.0