1102 Behavioral Sciences Building

Director of Undergraduate Studies: Isaac D. Balbus. balbus@uic.edu

Undergraduate Advisor: Bob Bruhl.  rbruhl1@uic.edu

Director of Undergraduate Secretary: Marla Lane.  mlane@uic.edu

(312) 996-3105

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,

Major in Political Science

For the Bachelor of Arts, a minimum of 33 semester hours, as distributed below. In addition to the specified course work below, the student must fulfill certain other course requirements to be awarded the Bachelor of Arts degree. For additional graduation requirements and information on admission and academic regulations in the College, see College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

[Note: You can read the Political Science Course Descriptions by following this link.]

• POLS 101, 190, 200 (9 hrs.)

• Two from POLS 120, 130, 184 (6 hrs.)

• One from POLS 329, 349, 389, 399 (3 hrs.)

• Completion of one of the 300-level courses above fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement

• Five additional political science courses at the 200 level or above (15 hrs.)

• At least three of the eleven courses required for the major must be at the 300 level or above.

• TOTAL HOURS: 33

The Department of Political Science offers a Concentration in Urban Politics that is satisfied by
a) completing the regular requirements for the major in political science, and
b) completing, among the required number of electives in the major, three courses in urban politics, including
one 200-level course (POLS 210 or 211), POLS 301, and one additional course at the 300 level other than POLS 303. At the discretion of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, students may substitute a course from another department for one of their three courses in urban politics.

Minor in Political Science

For the minor, a minimum of 21 semester hours, as distributed below.

• POLS 101, 190, 200 (9 hrs.)

• One from POLS 120, 130, 184 (3 hrs.)

• Three additional POLS courses of which at least one must be at the 300 level or above (9 hrs.)

• TOTAL HOURS: 21

Distinction

To be considered for graduation with distinction in political science, a student must have a minimum 3.25 all-University grade point average and a minimum 3.50 grade point average in all political science courses. Students with the required grade point averages must write and present to a faculty examining committee of the department an acceptable essay while enrolled in POLS 305 and defend it before that committee. The student must enroll in POLS 305 for 6 credit hours during the senior year. Both course and credit hours must be in addition to those required for the major. The level of distinction (distinction, high distinction, highest distinction) is determined by the department faculty, who will consider the recommendation of the faculty examining committee and the candidate's grade point average.