Western Washington University · Bellingham, Washington
Political Science, BA
What Is the Study of Political Science?
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 is 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 related professions.
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 (B-) or higher: 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 above. 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
PLSC 101, 435, 443, 444, 447, 448, and 491 credits apply toward the major but do not count in any field. No more than 10 credits of internship or independent study may be counted toward the major.
- Students select a first, second and third field of study from the three fields listed below
- American Politics and Public Policy
- Political Theory
- International and Comparative Politics
- Core courses in each of the three fields are required. They are:
- PLSC 250 for American Politics and Public Policy
- PLSC 261 for Political Theory
- PLSC 271 or PLSC 291 for International and Comparative Politics
- In the three fields, the students must complete:
- 15 credits in the first field plus required core course
- 10 credits in the second field plus required core course
- 4 credits in the third field plus required core course
- One course from:
- PLSC 431, PLSC 432, PLSC 433, PLSC 434
Courses in the three fields are organized as follows:
- American Politics and Public Policy
- 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 366 - Research in Politics
- PLSC 414 - Constitutional Law I: National Powers
- PLSC 415 - Constitutional Law II: Individual Rights
- 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 & 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
- Political Theory
- 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
- International and Comparative Politics
- 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 312 - International Relations of South Asia
- PLSC 366 - Research in Politics
- 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 EuropeanIntegration
- 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
GURs:
The courses below satisfy GUR requirements and may also be used to fulfill major requirements.
- HUM: PLSC 261
- SSC: PLSC 250, 271, 291, 311, 372
- ACGM: PLSC 346
Sample Careers
- Campaign Manager
- Politician
- Lobbyist
- Attorney
- Public Relations Specialist
- FBI/CIA Agent
- Consumer Advocate
- Journalist
- Labor Relations Specialist
- City Manager
- Author
- Urban Planner
Department
Contact
Political Science Department Chair:
Sara Weir
AH 415; 360-650-2912
Program Coordinator:
Sarah Hoag
AH 415; 360-650-3469
Sarah.Hoag@wwu.edu
Department Manager
Joan Blackwell
AH 415; 360-650-3469
Joan.Blackwell@wwu.edu