Political Science (B.A.)

Bachelor of Arts

Political Science at AUC is taught as a humanistic discipline with the overall objectives of fostering understanding of the contemporary world and developing knowledge about, and an appreciation of, the complex mechanisms, authoritative structures, and the allocation of values, which characterize contemporary human communities. Political Science at AUC requires students to develop abilities of comprehension and analysis, and skills for oral and written presentations. The graduate of Political Science is thus well equipped for life in the modern world, and to follow those professions and lines of work that require independence of thought, initiative, creativity in solving problems, and continuing self development. AUC graduates of Political Science are presently found in business, journalism, research, analytic writing, and public contact work. They occupy positions in public, private, development agencies, the diplomatic service, governmental ministries and agencies, and university teaching. A significant number of past graduates have subsequently completed M.A. and Ph.D. degrees.

For students to declare a major in Political Science, they must take either POLS 101 or POLS 202. POLS 101 may only be taken in the Freshman Year  which will fulfill the Social Science requirement at the primary level of the Core Curriculum and will not be counted as part of the 45 credits required for the Political Science major. POLS 202 must be taken after the Freshman Year and for those who have not taken POLS 101. Students wishing to transfer from another major after their sophomore year will be considered on a case by case basis. Junior-year (300-level) courses are required in four subfields and are prerequisite to the more advanced courses and seminars (400-level). Each semester a selection of 300 and 400 level courses and seminars is offered from which students may choose courses to complete the requirements of the major.

A total of 120 credits is required for the bachelor’s degree in Political Science:

Core Curriculum (34-46 credits)
Political Science Requirements (45 credits) to be taken as follows:

1. if POLS 101 has already been taken in the Freshman Year:
   21 credits (7 courses) in the concentration plus 24 credits (8 courses) as electives.
2. if POLS 101 has not been taken in the Freshman Year:
   24 credits (8 courses) in the concentration plus 21 credits (7 courses) as electives.

Collateral requirements: (6 or 9 credits)
General Electives: (20-35 credits)

All Political Science major and minor students must abide with the following English regulations:

• ENGL 100   May be taken concurrently with POLS 101

• RHET 101   Is a prerequisite to POLS 202 and all 300 level POLS courses

• RHET 102   May be taken concurrently with POLS 202 and 300 level POLS courses

• RHET 201   Is prerequisite to all 400 level POLS courses