Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees in Political Science

A major consists of a minimum of 33 credits in political science plus 12 credits in a related area. The department offers a wide range of courses in four fields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.

The department offers two degrees: the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and (jointly with the University Honors College) the Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Phil.). Students should consult an academic advisor in political science to discuss these options.

The core course in each field provides first and second year students with a broad introduction to the core knowledge, concepts, and methods of that field. The 1000-level "field" courses offer more advanced students a wide range of specialized skills and knowledge that builds on the core ideas in each field. The combination of core and field courses permits the student to develop an awareness of the breadth and variety of political science as a discipline and a more detailed competence in one of its fields.

Core Courses

All four of the substantive core courses plus the course in Research Methods:

Political Science 0200 American Political Process
This course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the basic goals of the Constitutional Framers, giving students an understanding of the purposes of the American political system; the essential structures (or institutions) within the American political system; the behavior (broadly defined) of the actors within the American political system; the purpose and performance of the linkage institutions in the United States, possibly including political parties, elections, and interest groups; and, the types of policies that are often produced by a system with the characteristics of those found in the United States. Depending on the interests, area of expertise, and inclinations of the particular instructor, some of these may be emphasized more heavily than others.

Political Science 0300 Comparative Politics
This course provides students with basic information about a range of political systems outside the United States and teaches them to use that information to examine major theories about politics. The course is also designed to help students understand the government and the politics of the United States in comparative perspective and to develop some understanding of comparative methodology and the logic of comparison as a social science method.

Political Science 0500 World Politics
This course aims to increase students' knowledge of the history of the modern state system and, in particular, political developments during the past few decades. It introduces students to basic concepts and analytic frameworks that political scientists employ to understand world politics, enhancing students' knowledge of international institutions that play important roles in world politics and exploring current issues in world affairs relating to human welfare and security.

Political Science 0600 Political Theory
This course is designed to introduce students to important authors and concepts in the western political theory tradition. Students will learn to understand both historical and contemporary debates surrounding important political concepts such as authority, justice, liberty, and democracy, and to appreciate the differences among normative, empirical, logical, and faith-based political claims. Students will learn to read critically and analytically, to make simple normative arguments, and to explain the specific role of normative arguments in political science and political life.

Political Science 0700 Research Methods
An introduction to the scope and methods of research in political science. This course surveys techniques of analysis that are regularly employed by political scientists to analyze and explain political behavior and phenomena. Students will be introduced to basic elements of research design.

Field Courses

At least 18 credits at the upper (1000) level, distributed across at least three (3) of the four fields of political science. Students complete three courses in a Major Field (including a Capstone Seminar), two courses in a Minor Field, and one course in a third Elective Field (1 course).

Related Area

A minimum of 12 credits in such related disciplines as anthropology, economics, history, sociology, or a related concentration in regional studies.

Capstone Seminar/Writing Requirement

Students must complete one Capstone Seminar, in which they undertake advanced research and significant original writing appropriate to the field of study. All Capstone seminars fulfill one of the University Writing intensive course requirements. The Capstone Seminar should be taken within the student's Major Field.

The B.Phil. degree

This degree option is overseen jointly by the Department of Political Science and the University Honors College. This degree is designed for students who wish to pursue a rigorous academic program with a pronounced interdisciplinary character. The requirements for the B.Phil. degree entail completing the B.A. program as above, along with four cognate courses chosen under the supervision of the faculty mentor, and completing an original paper of high quality, which must be approved by the faculty mentor and the University Honors College.

Foreign Language

None required beyond the requirements of the University of Pittsburgh College of Arts and Sciences. Study of a foreign language is highly recommended for students with an interest in politics outside of the United States and for all those considering graduate work or a career in government agencies concerned with foreign affairs.

Statistics

Not required for majors but highly recommended for all those interested in graduate education in political science, business, or public policy.