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Political Science
Understanding and Explaining Politics
Have you ever considered how governments solve complex problems in areas like immigration, healthcare or environmental protection? Why do governments make the decisions they do? Or what makes politics and policy often so challenging?
Political Science majors study the institutions and processes of domestic and international governance and decision making, their underlying ideas and ideologies, political opinion and political psychology, state-society relations, electoral processes, and resultant politics and policies. Students develop valuable skills in critical thought, oral and written communication, and important quantitative and qualitative research skills. Together, these skills prepare majors for future careers in a variety of fields, including law, business, journalism, advocacy, government, and politics. Political science is a flexible major that can complement your many other interests. The major also offers opportunities to connect with alumni and pursue internships.
AREAS OF STUDY
- American Politics
- Global Politics
- Law, Politics, and Theory
- Social Justice
- Legal Studies
CAREER OPTIONS
- Politics
- Law
- Journalism
- Government Agencies
- Business
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Nonprofits, Public Policy and Administration
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
- Political Science
- Law
- Journalism
- Public Policy
- International Business
- Public Administration
- Environmental Studies
What’s special about this program?
At UD, political science extends beyond the classroom. Through the Center for Political Communication, undergraduates may work on research teams examining how media, public opinion and political psychology shape American democracy. Students may earn academic credit for internships or spend a full spring semester living, working and taking classes in Washington, D.C. Qualified students can also apply to work with the Delaware General Assembly through the Legislative Fellows Program. Students may apply for department funding and James R. Soles Citizenship Endowment stipends to support internships, research and public service projects. The major offers three concentrations, related minors in legal studies, political communication and politics and social justice, and an accelerated B.A./M.P.A. pathway with the Biden School.
Get Involved
Women in Law and Politics
Soles Undergraduate Citizenship Stipends
POSCIR Ambassadors
Model United Nations
College Democrats
College Republicans
HenLaw
Students in the Public Interest
Phi Sigma Alpha
Iota Rho
Center for Political Communication
Women’s Studies
Mock Trial
Sample curriculum
All majors are required to complete four core courses: Introduction to American Politics, Introduction to Global Politics and Research Methods for Political Science, and one of Introduction to Public Policy, Introduction to Politics and Social Justice, Introduction to Comparative Politics, or Introduction to Political Theory. Beyond the core courses, you may choose to major in political science without a concentration or to specialize in one of three concentrations: American politics, global politics or law, politics and theory. Political science is a flexible major that can complement your many other interests including a second major, or minors, and prepares you to engage an increasingly complex world.
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
POSC 150 (Core 1/4) (Breadth Requirement: Group C (1/3)) | POSC 240 (Core 2/4) (Breadth Requirement: Group C (3/3)) |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
MATH 113, 114, 115, 117, or other | Foreign Language (2/3) |
Foreign Language (1/3) | Breadth Requirement: Group A (1/3) |
ENGL 110 | Breadth Requirement: Group B (1/3) |
UNIV 101 |
|
Credits: 17 | Credits: 16 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
POSC 220, 230, 270, or 285 (Core 3/4) | POSC 300 (Core 4/4) |
POSC Elective Course (1/6) * | Breadth Requirement: Group A (2/3) |
Foreign Language (3/3) | Breadth Requirement: Group B (3/3) |
Breadth Requirement: Group D (1/3) | Breadth Requirement: Group D with lab (2/3) |
Breadth Requirement: Group B (2/3) | POSC Elective Course (2/6) * |
Credits: 16 | Credits: 16 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
POSC Elective Course (3/6) * | POSC Elective Course (4/6) * |
Breadth Requirement: Group A (3/3) | Discovery Learning Experience |
Breadth Requirement: Group D (3/3) | Multicultural Requirement |
Breadth Requirement: Group C (3/3) | Free Elective |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
Credits: 15 | Credits: 15 |
| FALL | SPRING |
|---|---|
POSC Elective Course (5/6) * | POSC Elective Course (6/6) * |
Second Writing | 1 credit Capstone |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
Free Elective | Free Elective |
| 1 credit Free Elective |
Credits: 15 | Credits: 14 |
