Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science, B.A.


Political scientists study the formal and informal political processes that shape public policy. As a discipline, political science combines both humanistic and scientific perspectives in order to understand the behavior of individuals, groups, nations, and international organizations. The Department offers courses in all of the major fields of the discipline (American Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, Constitutional Law, International Relations, Political Theory, Quantitative Methods, Public Administration, and Public Policy.)

The major is designed to provide a firm foundation in all sub-fields and to provide sufficient flexibility for students to pursue their own intellectual interests with both breadth and depth. It provides a basis for informed participation in community organizations, electoral politics, national and world affairs, and public policy. Students receive a solid foundation for graduate study, including law, as well as for a wide variety of careers in both the public and private sector. Students often explore these possibilities through internships with government agencies, parties and groups, law firms, and selected businesses and non-profits.

Requirements for Graduation:

To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Political Science must complete a minimum of 120 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher, satisfy the College’s residency requirements, and complete the General Education Requirements of the College. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

The General Education Requirements of the college require students to successfully complete a First Year Seminar, Foundations, Disciplinary Perspectives, and a Constellation. Students who enter the college with 30 credit hours completed will not take a First Year Seminar and therefore must take an additional 3 credits for graduation. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation.

In addition, students majoring in Political Science must maintain a 2.0 grade point average in the course requirements of the major and earn a grade of 2.0 or higher in all Political Science courses.

General Education Requirement


First Year Seminar


Foundations Requirements


Disciplinary Perspectives Requirement


Constellation Requirement


The Constellation requirement is met when a student completes four courses from a minimum of three disciplines within the Constellation requirements.  Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation except for Education majors.

Required Major Courses:


Political Science Upper Division Electives (21 credits)


Students must choose seven Political Science courses at the 300 level or above from the following:

Political Science Electives (6 credits)


Students must choose two additional Political Science courses from the following:

Targeted Electives (6 credits)


Students must choose two of the following courses:

Elective Courses (18 credits)


Students may choose any 18 credits of elective courses.

Suggested Course Sequence:


Freshman Year (30 credits)


Sophomore Year (30 credits)


Junior Year (30 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  •  

  • 3 credit hours
  •           OR

  • 3 credit hours
  •  

  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Targeted Elective course 3 credit hours

Senior Year (30 credits)


  • 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Constellation course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours
  • Political Science Upper Division Elective course 3 credit hours