Political Science, Political Studies 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
** Additional theory courses may qualify with department chair approval

Political Studies Concentration - 12 credits

Courses that introduce to the broad philosophical and practical understanding of Political Science and its application to contemporary political issues (12 credits: choose four, at least two at the 300-level).

At least one course selected from the following:

POLS 0110 - Introduction to Asian Studies Credits: 3
POLS 0209 - International Relations Credits: 3
POLS 0210 - Comparative European Government Credits: 3
POLS 0231 - Latin American Politics Credits: 3
POLS 0323 - Selected Topics in Political Science Credits: 3 (Middle East Politics)

At least one course selected from the following:

POLS 0301 - Classical Political Thought Credits: 3
POLS 0302 - Modern Political Thought Credits: 3
POLS 0335 - Feminist Political Thought Credits: 3
* These theory courses taken for the Political Studies concentration may count toward the Required Major Core credits.

At least one course selected from the following:

POLS 0305 - American Foreign Policy Credits: 3
POLS 0321 - American Public Policy Credits: 3

Additional Options:

POLS 0323 - Selected Topics in Political Science Credits: 3
POLS 0397 - Political Science Internship Credits: 3 or 6 (can be taken for 3 credits in the Political Studies concentration)
POLS 0398 - Washington Internship Credits: 15 (can be taken for 3 credits for the Political Studies concentration)
POLS 0399 - Independent Study Credits: 3

Required Electives - 15 Credits

15 credits of additional political science course work.

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

Students transferring from another school 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 internships toward the 36-credit major, 3 of which may be applied toward the 18-credit minor. For details, see the department internship manual on from the link https://www.westfield.ma.edu/images/uploads/political-science/Internship_Manual.pdf or pick up a copy in the department.

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 .