Undergraduate programs

The program in political science leading to the B.A. or B.S. degree is designed to meet the needs of the liberal arts major who wishes to learn more about public and international affairs, government, and the demands of citizenship. It is appropriate for professionally motivated students who wish to pursue careers in political science, public administration, international organizations, domestic government, communications, education, or law. It is also appropriate for inquiring students desiring to learn more about the way human beings live together and the structures and institutions they have developed (or might develop) to facilitate social cooperation and conflict management.

The most current information about undergraduate degree programs, internships, and other opportunities is available on the program website (www.pdx.edu/hatfieldschool/undergraduate-program-political-science).

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Degree requirements

Political Science B.A./B.S.

Political Science Honors Program

Political Science Minor

Law and Legal Studies Minor

Law and Legal Studies Minor

The minor in law and legal studies offers an interdisciplinary, liberal arts approach to the study of law. This is an academic program, not a professional training program, emphasizing the political, social, cultural, and philosophical foundations and impacts of law and legal systems. It is designed for pre-law students and also for a broad array of students from across the PSU campus who are interested in the relationship of law to politics, society, and culture. While the core courses concentrate on American law and the American legal system, the electives allow students to focus on aspects of law related to areas such as international law, comparative law, and philosophy.

Requirements

Lower Division Requirements

PS 101United States Government

4

PS 221Introduction to Law and Legal Studies

4

Upper Division Requirements

PS 421The Supreme Court and American Politics

4

Electives (16 credits)

Political Science options (minimum 8 credits)
PS 325Politics and the Legal Enforcement of Morals

4

PS 422Constitutional Law

4

PS 423Civil Liberties

4

PS 424Law, Politics, and Society

4

PS 425Women and the Law

4

PS 428The Politics of Law and Order

4

PS 448International Law

4

PS 449International Environmental Politics and Law

4

PS 483Justice in the Modern World

4

Non-Political Science options (maximum 8 credits)
CCJ 310American Courts

4

CCJ 420Criminal Law and Legal Reasoning

4

Phl 311The Morality of Punishment

4

Phl 333Philosophy of Law

4

Hst 447American Constitutional History I

4

Hst 448American Constitutional History II

4

Hst 449American Constitutional History III

4

Electives approved by Law and Legal Studies advisor (maximum 8 credits)

Total Credit Hours:28

For law and legal studies minors who are also majoring or minoring in political science, at least three electives (12 credits) must be applied solely to the law and legal studies minor. In order to count toward fulfillment of the minor, courses must be passed with a grade of C or above.