StudyQA — Bachelor: Political Science — University of Illinois at Chicago

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Description Contents Requirements Funding

Political science focuses on enduring issues of politics: power and authority, conflict and cooperation, and change and stability. It examines the performance of political structures and processes as well as the political behavior and attitudes of individuals; ideal performance of political systems and political men and women is also considered. Training in political science involves both the acquisition of contemporary social science theory and methods as well as an appreciation for the notions of eminent political thinkers over time.

Political Science is one of the central disciplines in a liberal arts education and provides an excellent basis for careers in government, law, journalism, business, and teaching. The UIC Political Science Department offers you opportunities to do internships, become proficient in statistical analysis and research methods, and learn about practical politics and other forms of civic engagement.

Major Requirements

Course List
Code	Title	Hours
Required Courses
POLS 101	Introduction to American Government and Politics a,b	3
POLS 200	Methods of Political Science	3
Select two of the following: c		6
POLS 120	Introduction to Political Theory
POLS 130	Introduction to Comparative Politics
POLS 184	Introduction to International Relations
POLS 190	Scope of Political Science
Select one of the following: d		3
POLS 329	Seminar on American Politics
POLS 349	Topics in Comparative Politics
POLS 389	Seminar: Topics in International Relations
POLS 399	Seminar in Political Theory
Four additional political science courses at the 200-level (or above) and two additional political science courses at the 300-level (or above) e		18
Total Hours		33

a	This course is approved for the Understanding the Individual and Society General Education category.
b	This course is approved for the Understanding U.S. Society General Education category.
c	Students should consult the General Education section of the catalog to determine if any of these courses are approved General Education courses.
d	Any of these courses may be used to fulfill the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
e	Not including POLS 305.

Transfer courses in political science must have grades of C or better to count toward the major or minor.

Recommended Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall Semester		Hours
ENGL 160	Academic Writing I: Writing in Academic and Public Contexts	3
POLS 101	Introduction to American Government and Politics a	3
Foreign Language		4
General Education Requirement course		3-5
	Hours	13-15
Spring Semester
ENGL 161	Academic Writing II: Writing for Inquiry and Research	3
POLS 120 or POLS 130 or POLS 184 or POLS 190	Introduction to Political Theory a or Introduction to Comparative Politics or Introduction to International Relations or Scope of Political Science	3
General Education Requirement course		3
General Education Requirement course		3-5
Foreign Language		4
	Hours	16-18
Second Year
Fall Semester
POLS 120 or POLS 130 or POLS 184 or POLS 190	Introduction to Political Theory a or Introduction to Comparative Politics or Introduction to International Relations or Scope of Political Science	3
Foreign Language		4
General Education Requirement course		3
General Education Requirement course		3
General Education Requirement course		3
	Hours	16
Spring Semester
POLS 200	Methods of Political Science	3
POLS 2xx, 3xx, or 4xx c		3
POLS 2xx c		3
General Education Requirement course		3-5
Foreign Language		4
	Hours	16-18
Third Year
Fall Semester
POLS 2xx, 3xx, or 4xx c		3
POLS 2xx c		3
POLS 201	Political Data Analysis (or Quantitative Reasoning course) b	3-5
Electives		6
	Hours	15-17
Spring Semester
POLS 3xx or 4xx e		3
Electives		12
	Hours	15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
POLS 3xx or 4xx e		3
POLS 329 or POLS 349 or POLS 389 or POLS 399	Seminar on American Politics c or Topics in Comparative Politics or Seminar: Topics in International Relations or Seminar in Political Theory	0-3
Electives		12
	Hours	15-18
Spring Semester
POLS 329 or POLS 349 or POLS 389 or POLS 399	Seminar on American Politics c or Topics in Comparative Politics or Seminar: Topics in International Relations or Seminar in Political Theory	0-3
Electives		14-15
	Hours	14-18
	Total Hours	120

a	POLS 101 and POLS 120 may be used to satisfy two of the nine courses in the General Education Requirement.
b	Satisfies Quantitative Reasoning (with a grade of C or better) but is not required for the major. To be eligible, you must first satisfy the math prerequisite.
c	Any of these courses may be used to fulfill the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement. May be taken fall or spring semester.

Requirements

The Common Application online including the UIC-specific questions and essays under the My Colleges tab. See application tips for details. Printed applications will not be accepted.
The $60 nonrefundable application fee or fee waiver.
Official high school transcript*, submitted electronically or via mail, along with the Common Application School Report
ACT/SAT scores, submitted electronically or printed on official transcripts
Submit letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or extracurricular activity supervisors.
Submit the Common Application mid-year report when your first semester grades from senior year become available.
International students must submit a valid English proficient test score. TOEFL iBT 80, IELTS 6.5