The Political Science Major
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Prof. Alynna Lyon advised the UNH Model United Nations team at the National Model UN Conference in New York City. The team earned a Distinguished Delegation Award for their representation of The United Republic of Tanzania. More than 270 universities participated with approximately 3,400 students. Almost half of the students attending the conference came from outside of the United States.Learn more. |
Political Science majors must take at least ten courses (40 credits) (Effective Fall 2007) You must earn a grade of C- or better in each course. Transfer courses will be determined on a course by course basis. (Note: if you have transfer credits of 3 credits per course, you are still required to complete 40 credits in the major, it may be necessary to take an additional course. Otherwise, you must submit a petition in writing to the Department's Undergraduate Curriculum Committee).
One 400 level course may double count with a General Education Requirement (Effective AY 2007 and after).
POLT 444 does not count towards Major Requirements.
Prior 2007 Revised Major Requirements WorkSheet
2007 Revised Major Requirements WorkSheet
2008 Major Requirements WorkSheet
Three courses from the offerings at the introductory (400) level. These must be completed by the end of the first calendar year after declaring the major.
Choose Three:
POLT 401 Politics and Society
POLT 402 Power and Politics in America
POLT 403 US in World Affairs
POLT 407 Law and Society (Effective AY 2008 POLT 407 no longer counts towards major requirement, this only pertains to students who matriculated or transferred starting AY 2008)
Six courses must be taken at the intermediate (500) level. These courses are clearly marked by field in the Undergraduate Catalog. Please refer to it to ensure proper distribution from each field is completed.
Students must take one 700 level course, preferably in the senior year.
American Politics (500-519/580)
Political Thought (520-539/584)
Comparative Politics (540-559/588)
International Politics (560-579/592)
Additional (any 500 level course)
Additional (any 500 level course)
700-level advanced course
Political Science Language Requirement
The COLA foreign language requirement is one semester at the intermediate level or beyond, or two semesters at the introductory or beginning level. Students who have taken two or more years of a language in high school are not eligible to sign up for 401 (beginning language) in that language and should take 403 (review) or, if they place into it, 503 (intermediate) or higher. The placement test is only offered for Spanish and French through the UNH Language Resource Center website. 403 language (review) is only available for Spanish, French and Latin. The foreign language requirement is to be completed by the end of the sophomore year. The student can fulfill the COLA foreign language requirement with 503 (or higher) alone if he or she places into the course, or with the 403-503 sequence. 403 prepares students for 503 but a C or better is required in the former to enroll in the latter.
The Department of Political Science does not allow American Sign Language (ASL) to count towards the language requirement effective for students who declare the major as of Fall 2007.
Exceptions to this must be petitioned and approved by the Department of Political Science’s Undergraduate Committee and a student’s adviser.
Attention Majors: Be aware of the following additional requirements for graduation.
Liberal Arts Foreign Language Requirement
University "Writing-Intensive" Requirements
University General Education Requirements
BA degree requirement of 128 credits for graduation
Each semester you will meet with the three major advisors to discuss your course selection options. This is a vital part of the registration process. However, students are encouraged to periodically check Webcat to run a student audit to be sure they are on track for graduation.
Pre-registration takes place each semester. The Department holds advising sessions during pre-registration to meet with students to discuss their proposed schedules. For more information, visit our Advising and Registration page.
Students wishing to challenge themselves are encouraged to apply for our Honors-in-Major.