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May 29, 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
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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
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Return to: Majors and Combined Degrees
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