Political Science, American Politics Concentration, B.A.

Requirement for the Political Science Major - 36 Credits

Required Major Core – 9 Credits

Required Courses

POLS 0101 - American National Government Credits: 3
POLS 0206 - Political Analysis Credits: 3

One of the following political theory courses

POLS 0215 - American Political Thought Credits: 3
POLS 0301 - Classical Political Thought Credits: 3
POLS 0302 - Modern Political Thought Credits: 3
POLS 0335 - Feminist Political Thought Credits: 3
POLS 0340 - Politics and “The Family” Credits: 3

Required Major Concentration - 12-18 Credits

12 credits in one of the Political Science concentrations.18 credits for students pursuing Law interdisciplinary option or International Studies interdisciplinary option.

Required Electives - 9 -15 Credits

15 credits of additional political science course work. 9 credits of additional political science coursework for students pursuing the Law interdisciplinary option or International Studies interdisciplinary option.

For Selected Topics courses (POLS 0323 ) to count toward the field of concentration, the courses must be within that field.

Students transferring from another college must complete a minimum of 18 credits in Political Science at Westfield State University.

The Department of Political Science encourages students to participate in internships. Students may apply up to 6 credits of internship toward the 36-credit major, 3 of which may be applied to the field of concentration. Up to 3 credits of internship may be applied toward the 18-credit minor. For details, see the department internship manual on the web page or pick up a copy in the department.

American Politics

Courses relevant to those seeking to be engaged in the civic life of the United States or seeking change through the democratic process (12 credits; choose 4, at least 2 at the 300-level).

POLS 0103 - State and Local Government Credits: 3
POLS 0204 - Introduction to Public Administration Credits: 3
POLS 0205 - Metropolitan Politics Credits: 3
POLS 0215 - American Political Thought Credits: 3
POLS 0306 - Political Change in the U.S. Credits: 3
POLS 0307 - Presidency and Congress: Political Dynamics Credits: 3
POLS 0320 - Politics of Budget-Making Credits: 3
POLS 0321 - American Public Policy Credits: 3
POLS 0323 - Selected Topics in Political Science Credits: 3
POLS 0397 - Political Science Internship Credits: 3 or 6
POLS 0398 - Washington Internship Credits: 15
POLS 0399 - Independent Study Credits: 3

Additional Graduation Requirements

All students must meet the University Graduation Requirements and complete a common core of studies, distributed among the different academic areas as detailed in the Common Core .