Undergraduate programs

The program in political science leading to the B.A. or B.S. degree is designed to meet the needs of students who wish 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 our website.

Degree Maps and Learning Outcomes

Admission requirements

Degree requirements

Political Science B.A./B.S.

Political Science Honors Program

Bachelor + Master's Program

Political Science Minor

Law and Legal Studies Minor

Campaigning to Win a US Political Campaign Undergraduate Certificate

Women's Leadership Undergraduate Certificate

Political Science B.A./B.S.

The standard Political Science major offers a traditional course of study in political science that involves some exposure to three basic areas of the discipline. In addition to meeting the University’s general education requirements, a student wishing to pursue a basic major in political science must take a minimum of 56 credits in political science distributed as follows.

A minimum of 24 credits must be taken in residence at PSU.

Requirements

Core Courses (16 credits)

Choose four courses from the following five options:

PS 101United States Government

4

or

PS 102United States Politics

4

 

PS 204Comparative Politics

4

PS 205International Politics

4

PS 206Introduction to Public Policy

4

PS 208Introduction to Political Theory

4

Elective Courses (40 credits)

Additional PS electives (minimum 12 upper division)

20

Five 400-level PS courses

20

Total Credit Hours:56

Public Service Track

The Public Service track option for our Political Science major is designed for students who want a more hands-on experience in the major or are interested in practical politics. The curriculum provides students with a strong foundation in American government, while instilling in them an understanding of public service. Students in this track are required to serve an internship in a governmental or political office.

Lower Division Core Requirements (16 credits)

Chose four courses from the following five options:

PS 101United States Government

4

or

PS 102United States Politics

4

 

PS 204Comparative Politics

4

PS 205International Politics

4

PS 206Introduction to Public Policy

4

PS 208Introduction to Political Theory

4

Upper Division Core Requirements (8 credits)

Take two from the following four options:
PS 331Oregon Politics

4

PS 335URace and Politics in the United States

4

PS 419Political Reform

4

PS 431State and Local Politics

4

Additional electives (24 credits, minimum of 16 credits must be in Political Science)

Political Science options:
PS 310How to Win a U.S. Political Campaign

4

PS 312Legislative Process

4

PS 313UThe Power Game: A Simulation of Washington Politics

4

PS 316UPolitics and the Arts

4

PS 318UMedia, Opinion, and Voting

4

PS 319UPolitics of the Environment

4

PS 331Oregon Politics

4

PS 335URace and Politics in the United States

4

PS 380UWomen and Politics

4

PS 381UWomen's Leadership

4

PS 412The Presidency

4

PS 413Congress

4

PS 414Issues in Public Policy

4

PS 416Political Parties and Elections

4

PS 417Interest Groups

4

PS 418Contemporary Political Protest in America

4

PS 419Political Reform

4

PS 421The Supreme Court and American Politics

4

PS 424Law, Politics, and Society

4

PS 427The Politics of Public Opinion

4

PS 429American Immigration Politics & Policy

4

PS 431State and Local Politics

4

PS 435Disasters and Public Policy

4

PS 471Gender & Politics: A Comparative Perspective

4

Courses used to meet the core requirements cannot be used at the same time to fulfill the elective requirements.
Public Administration options:
PA 311UIntroduction to Civic Engagement

4

PA 312UFoundations of Community Leadership

4

PA 313UFundamentals of Public Service

4

PA 320UIntroduction to Nonprofit Management

4

PA 412Civic Engagement: The Role of Governing Institutions

4

PA 413Civic Engagement: The Role of Individuals

4

PA 414Civic Engagement: The Role of Social Institutions

4

PA 417Ethical Leadership

4

PA 425Grantwriting for Nonprofit Organizations

4

Field Experience (8 credits)

PS 404Cooperative Education/Internship

8

Total Credit Hours:56

Courses not required for the Public Service Option, but recommended for those interested in public service careers:

Comm 312UMedia Literacy

4

Comm 313UCommunication in Groups

4

Ec 201Principles of Microeconomics

4

Ec 202Principles of Macroeconomics

4

Ec 311Microeconomic Theory

4

Ec 312Macroeconomic Theory

4

USP 316Community Organizing and Social Change

4

USP 317UIntroduction to International Community Development

4

USP 386UPortland Past and Present

4

USP 419/Soc 441Population and Society

4

USP 428Concepts of Community Development

4

 

 

International Development Track

The International Development track option for our Political Science major involves questions of global governance, international and development economics, foreign aid and humanitarian assistance, poverty reduction and human development, sustainable development, and international and intergenerational justice.

Lower Division Core Requirements (16 credits)

Take four courses from the following five options:

PS 101United States Government

4

or

PS 102United States Politics

4

 

PS 204Comparative Politics

4

PS 205International Politics

4

PS 206Introduction to Public Policy

4

PS 208Introduction to Political Theory

4

Upper Division Core Requirements (8 credits)

Take two courses from the following options:

PS 410Political Economy of Development

4

PS 447International Organization

4

PS 448International Law

4

PS 449International Environmental Politics and Law

4

PS 454International Political Economy

4

PS 477Global Food Politics and Policy

4

Political Science electives (20 credits)

Choose five courses from the following options:
PS 319UPolitics of the Environment

4

PS 352UIntroduction to European Politics

4

PS 353UIntroduction to Latin American Politics

4

PS 354UIntroduction to Asian Politics

4

PS 355UIntroduction to African Politics

4

PS 361UIntroduction to the Politics of the Middle East

4

PS 362UArab-Israeli Conflict

4

PS 364Politics of Identity and Inequality in the Middle East

4

PS 373Violence, Rebellion, and Civil War

4

PS 460Political Development in Modern Turkey

4

PS 461Politics of Economic Reform in Modern Turkey

4

PS 466Politics of China

4

PS 471Gender & Politics: A Comparative Perspective

4

PS 472Democratization and Authoritarianism in the Middle East and North Africa

4

PS 473Government and Politics of Arab North Africa

4

PS 474Democracy and Development in Latin America

4

PS 479Transitions to Democracy

4

PS 483Justice in the Modern World

4

Non-Political Science Electives (8 credits)

Choose two courses from the following options:
Ec 340International Economics

4

Ec 442The Multinational Enterprise in the World Economy

4

Ec 445Comparative Economic Systems

4

Ec 447Economics of Transition

4

Ec 450Economics of Development

4

Intl 203International Development Strategies

4

Intl 445/USP 445Cities and Third World Development

3

Intl 490Global Sustainable Development

4

USP 312UUrban Housing and Development

4

USP 317UIntroduction to International Community Development

4

USP 419/Soc 441Population and Society

4

USP 490Green Economics and Sustainable Development

3

Research Project (4 credits)

Students participating in the PS International Development track option are required to execute a substantial research paper (20-25 pages) on a development-related topic of their choosing. Students should identify a Political Science faculty member who agrees to oversee the PS 405 project, offer educational guidance and support and enroll the student using the “By Arrangement” form.  The minimum credit requirement for the Final Project is 4 credit hours, with a maximum of 6 credits possible for larger projects. For students completing projects worth more than 4 credits, the additional credits may not substitute for other requirements in the International Development track option. In certain cases, students seeking Political Science Honors credit may use their PS Honors paper to fulfill the requirements for the International Development track option with the approval of the faculty member(s) overseeing these projects.

As an alternative to the research project, students may participate in a professional internship that supports the International Development track option’s basic educational goals. Students must independently locate an internship opportunity, identify a Political Science faculty member who will oversee the internship, sign off on the PS 404 internship contract, and enroll in the internship using the “By Arrangement” form. A written report (6-8 pages) specifying how the internship experience fits with the student’s educational goals and how it relates to and advances the educational content of the degree track option is to be submitted to the student’s faculty advisor by the end of finals week during the quarter in which the internship is completed. The number of credits gained through an internship is proportional to the number of work hours the internship requires, with each credit worth 30 hours of work during a quarter. Students must complete an internship worth 4 credits to satisfy the track option requirements, with a maximum of 12 credits possible. For students completing internships worth more than 4 credits, the additional credits may not substitute for other requirements in the International Development track option. 
PS 404Cooperative Education/Internship

1-12

or

PS 405Reading and Conference

1-6

Total Credit Hours:56
 

Once a student has been admitted to Portland State University, upper-division courses used to meet political science major requirements must be taken at the University. Courses taken at another college or university must have received prior approval from the Department of Politics and Global Affairs.

All courses used to satisfy political science major requirements, whether taken at PSU or elsewhere, must be graded C- or above.

Students must complete a minimum of 24 credits of political science coursework at PSU.