Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Political Science/Social Studies, BA
What Is the Political Science/Social Studies Major?
Political Science is one of the oldest fields of academic inquiry. Social ideals and their realization through law were systematically studied in ancient Greece. In an increasingly interdependent world, the study of politics and government has flourished as the relations between persons, groups and nations have become more complex, and questions of freedom and authority have challenged every citizen. Modern political science is equally concerned with questions of political philosophy and with the pursuit of social scientific research. These concerns are reflected in a broad and diverse curriculum.
The Political Science faculty are committed to the belief that understanding politics and government is essential to a well-educated person, vital to democratic citizenship, indispensable to effective public service, and critical to the maintenance and ethical progress of a free society.
Why Should I Consider this Major?
The Political Science curriculum prepares students for careers in public service-related occupations in both government and business. Many students majoring in Political Science go on to law school, graduate school and into the professions.
Secondary Education students who wish to be endorsed in Social Studies may choose this major. However, the Political Science/Social Studies degree does not require that a student pursue a teaching certificate.
How to Declare:
You are eligible to declare the Political Science major only if you have completed any three of the following core courses with an average grade of 2.7 or above: PLSC 250, PLSC 261, PLSC 271, PLSC 291 or the equivalent course(s) at another college or university.
If you have no transfer credits for Political Science coursework, stop by the Political Science Department office, AH 415, with an unofficial WWU transcript showing the three completed courses from the list. If you have transfer credits for Political Science coursework from another institution, you must also bring an unofficial transcript from that institution showing the political science courses completed.
Coursework
- ENVS 204 Human Geography
- HIST 103 Introduction to American Civilization: American History to 1865
- HIST 104 Introduction to American Civilization: American History Since 1865
-
HIST 121 World History to 500
-
HIST 123 - World History, 1500 to the Present
- HIST 391 History of the Pacific Northwest
- PLSC 250 The American Political System
- One course from
- ANTH 201 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
- SOC 221 Introduction to Population Issues
- SOC 251 Sociology of Deviant Behavior
- SOC 255 Social Organization of Criminal Justice
- SOC 260 The Family in Society
- SOC 268 Gender and Society
- One course from
- ECON 206 Introduction to Microeconomics
- ECON 446 Economics for the Teacher (preferred)
- One course from
- ECON 207 Introduction to Macroeconomics
- ECON 447 Methods for Teaching About the National Economy in the Public Schools (preferred)
- One course from
- ENVS 221 Geographic Information Systems Survey or 2 additional geography credits
- 18 additional credits from:
- PLSC 250 The American Political System
- PLSC 311 Introduction to Law and Judicial Process
- PLSC 313 Law and Society
- PLSC 314 U.S. Supreme Court
- PLSC 345 Women and Politics
- PLSC 346 Politics of Inequality
- PLSC 347 Race, Politics and Public Policy
- PLSC 353 State and Local Politics
- PLSC 414 Constitutional Law I: National Powers
- PLSC 420 Environmental Politics
- PLSC 421 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Politics
- PLSC 423 The American Presidency
- PLSC 427 Policy-Making and Policy Analysis
- PLSC 431 Senior Seminar in American Politics and Public Policy
- PLSC 449 Politics and Social Change
- PLSC 450 Parties, Campaigns and Elections
- PLSC 467 Philosophical and Ethical Issues in Law
- PLSC 489 Managing an International Ecosystem
- 8 credits from
- PLSC 261 Introduction to Political Theory
- PLSC 361 Classical Political Thought
- PLSC 362 Political Theory: Renaissance and Modern
- PLSC 432 Senior Seminar - Political Theory
- PLSC 462 The Rise of Modern Political Economy
- PLSC 463 American Political Thought
- PLSC 464 Contemporary Political Theory
- PLSC 469 Feminist Political Theory
- PLSC 480 Politics, Government and Religion
- PLSC 493 Issues in Political Theory
- 8 credits from
- PLSC 271 Introduction to International Relations
- PLSC 291 Introduction to Comparative Politics
- PLSC 301 The British Parliamentary System
- PLSC 302 Western Europe
- PLSC 307 East Asia
- PLSC 308 African Political Systems
- PLSC 310 The International Relations of East Asia
- PLSC 370 Global Issues in International Politics
- PLSC 372 International Political Economy
- PLSC 376 American Foreign Policy
- PLSC 390 The Politics of Development
- PLSC 399 The Politics of Democratization
- PLSC 402 Regional European Society and Politics
- PLSC 403 The European Union and the Process of European Integration
- PLSC 406 Canadian Government and Politics
- PLSC 430 Modern Chinese Politics
- PLSC 433 Senior Seminar in Comparative Politics
- PLSC 434 Senior Seminar in International Politics
- PLSC 436 Managing Environmental Commons
- PLSC 453 Comparative Electoral Systems
- Balance of credits in political science electives
GURs:
- HUM: HIST 103, 104, 121, 123; PLSC 261
- SSC: ANTH 201, ECON 206, 207; ENVS 204; PLSC 250, 271, 291, 311, 372; SOC 221, 255, 260
- ACGM: PLSC 346
- BCGM: SOC 268
Sample Careers
- Teacher – Secondary Education
- Attorney
- Consumer Advocate
- City Manager
- Politician
- Public Relations Specialist
- Journalist
- Author
- Lobbyist
- FBI/CIA Agent
- Labor Relations Specialist
- Urban Planner
Department
Contact
Program Coordinator
Sarah.Hoag
AH415; 360-650-3469
Sarah.Hoag@wwu.edu
Department Manager
Joan Blackwell
AH415; 360-650-3469
Joan.Blackwell@wwu.edu