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Dec 05, 2023
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog
Political Science BA - American Politics and Public Affairs Concentration
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 Return to: Majors and Combined Degrees
Politics and governments affect your life on a daily basis-from the environment and education to civil rights and wars. That’s why it’s so important to understand (and question!) the political structures all around us, regardless of your personal politics. This program is for students who like thinking about institutions, power, government and law-including how (and why) they work the way they do. If that sounds like you, then you’re the perfect candidate for this major.
Visit the Political Science academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.
Visit the Political Science department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.
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Two Political Science Introductory Courses (6 credits)
Ten Political Science American Politics and Public Affairs Concentration Core Courses (30-31 credits)
Eight (24 credits) of the ten must be at the 300/400 level.
One Methods of Inquiry Course
Or an approved substitution from the following:
Five 300/400 level American Politics Field Courses
Two Political Science Field Courses
From among the remaining three fields of Comparative Politics, International Politics and Public Law
Two Political Science Electives
- 2 PSC courses. UB Seminar (198/199) courses are excluded.
- A maximum of 2 courses (6 credit hours) can be from: PSC 496 , PSC 497 and PSC 499 .
Total Credits Required for Major: 36-37
Additional Degree Requirements Include:
- Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
- Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total
Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120
Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This should not be used for financial aid purposes.
Academic Requirements
- Minimum GPA of 2.000 overall and in the major required for graduation.
- Minimum GPA of 3.000 overall and in the major is required for all internships.
Transfer Credit Policy
The department gives transfer credit for a maximum of five political science courses.
Program Honors and Program Distinction
Students must have at least a 3.250 GPA and complete one of the following courses: PSC 492 , PSC 495 , PSC 497 , or (with the permission of the instructor) any graduate seminar with a grade of B or better. Students must also meet the remaining Program Honors criteria outlined in the Academic Honors policy.
Majors who do not pursue a thesis but have exceptional grades are eligible for Program Distinction upon degree conferral if the criteria are met. These criteria are also found in the Academic Honors policy.
Curricular Plan
A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.
Second Year Fall
- PSC Methods of Inquiry Credits: 3
- Math & Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 4
- Pathway Credits: 3
- Pathway Credits: 3
- Scientific Literacy 1 Credits: 3
- Scientific Literacy Lab Credits: 1
Second Year Spring
- American Politics Elective at 300/400 level Credits: 3
- PSC Field Requirement Credits: 3
- Pathway Credits: 3
- Scientific Literacy 2 Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
Third Year Fall
- American Politics Elective at 300/400 Level Credits: 3
- American Politics Elective at 300/400 Level Credits: 3
- Communication Literacy 2 Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
Fourth Year Fall
- American Politics Elective, 300/400 level Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
Fourth Year Spring
- PSC Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 2
- Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
- Elective Credits: 3
Total Credits Required: 120
Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:
- Scholarship in three of the following four fields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and public law
- Be able to identify and discuss important scholarly debates and research questions in their chosen fields
- Demonstrate the ability to recognize and apply key concepts and major theories in their chosen fields
- Developing writing skills to intellectually communicate their ideas and research findings about political topics
- Develop the ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively in writing
- Develop the ability to effectively take a position and defend an argument against criticism
- Be able to write an essay or paper presenting a clear thesis supported by relevant research
- Develop the analytical skills necessary to think critically about political, social, and economic behavior
- Be able to identify and critically evaluate the arguments of scholarly research in political science.
- Engage in conceptual analysis and theoretical interpretation of political ideas and phenomena
- Develop the ability to analyze a scholarly question in political science by drawing logical inferences from qualitative and/or quantitative data
- Develop an understanding of their role as an engaged citizen in a democratic political system
- Be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of government policies
- Develop an awareness of the global dynamics that influence the context of domestic and international politics
- Develop the ability to apply social scientific reasoning in the analysis of a wide range of political issues and problems
(HEGIS: 22.07 POLITICAL SCI & GOVERN, CIP: 45.1001 Political Science and Government, General)
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Return to: Majors and Combined Degrees
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