Political Science A.B.

A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Political Science requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

Required courses: 16 sh

POL 111	AMERICAN GOVERNMENT	4 sh
POL 161	COMPARATIVE POLITICS	4 sh
POL 220	RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND POLICY STUDIES	4 sh
POL 461	SENIOR SEMINAR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE	4 sh

Select one course from the following: 4 sh

POL 120	INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THOUGHT	4 sh
POL 301	POLITICAL SIMULATIONS IN AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT	4 sh
POL 302	DEMOCRACY AND ITS CRITICS	4 sh

Select twenty-four additional hours in POL: 24 sh

It is strongly recommended that Political Science majors, in consultation with their advisors, select a subfield or topical concentration. Subfield and concentration courses will be chosen from among the 24 elective hours. With the approval of the student’s advisor, up to four hours from outside the political science and policy studies department may be applied toward the major to facilitate a concentration. No more than eight internship hours may be applied to the major.

Total Credit Hours: 44

Elon Core Curriculum:

First Year Foundations

COR 110	THE GLOBAL EXPERIENCE	4 sh
ENG 110	WRITING: ARGUMENT AND INQUIRY	4 sh

Select one of the following: 

STS 110	INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL REASONING	4 sh
MTH 151	CALCULUS I	4 sh
STS 212	STATISTICS IN APPLICATION	4 sh

Experiential Learning Requirement (2 Units required)

Included in experiential learning are study abroad, research, service-learning, leadership, internships, (including co-ops, teaching, and practicum), or other courses or experiences with ELR designation.

World Language Requirement

Students must meet one of the following: (a)complete a language course numbered 122 or higher at Elon, or receive transfer or study abroad credit for the same; (b) place into a language course numbered 200 or above upon arriving at Elon, using a department of world languages approved placement instrument; (c) score a 4 or 5 on an AP language exam or similar exam. Each student must take the language placement test by October 1 of his or her first full year at Elon. Students are allowed two tries; the higher score is counted. That score stands and may not be repeated by later testing. Consideration for Phi Beta Kappa membership requires the completion of a 222-level world language course or placement beyond that level.

Studies in the Arts and Sciences

Students must fulfill the requirements in each of the following categories.

Transfer students with at least 18 s.h. of transfer credit must complete 32 hours total in Studies in the Arts & Sciences, but may have as few as 7 hours in one or more of the four Studies in the Arts & Sciences areas.

Expression (8 s.h.) __________________   __________________

Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: literature (in English or world languages), philosophy, and fine arts (art, dance, music, music theatre, and theatre). At least one course must be literature.

Civilization (8 s.h.)_______________   __________________

Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: history, world languages, art history and religious studies.

Society (8 s.h.) ______POL 111_______   __________________

Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: economics, geography, human service studies, political science, psychology, sociology/anthropology, and PHS 201 or PHS 202. 

Science/Analysis (Lab:___) (8 s.h.) __________________    __________________

Eight hours chosen from one or more of the following: mathematics/statistics, science, and computer science. At least one course must be a physical or biological laboratory science.

Advanced Studies (8 s.h.) __________________   __________________

Eight hours of 300-400 level coursework outside the major field and chosen from areas under Studies in the Arts and Sciences.

COR Interdisciplinary Capstone Seminar (4 s.h.) __________________

300-400 level COR course; requires junior/senior status.

Society (8 s.h.) __ECO 111__  __________

Eight hours chosen from at least two of the following: economics, geography, human service studies, political science, psychology, & sociology/anthropology, and public health studies 201 or 202.