Undergraduate Degree Information
The Programs
Admission/Graduation
Advisement Services
Political Science Courses
THE PROGRAMS
The Department of Political Science offers two major degree programs
and two minor programs. The majors offered are a Bachelor's Degree (BA) in
Political Science (36 semester hours required) and an interdisciplinary
Bachelor's Degree (BA) in Political Science/Pre-Law (39 semester hours
required). The minor programs are in Political Science (18 semester hours
required) and Public Administration (18 semester hours required). The
information provided here pertains mainly to the BA program in Political
Science. Separate information sheets regarding the Pre-Law program can be
obtained by requesting them from the Political Science Department or the
department's Pre-Law Advisor (see below for name/address information).
DEPARTMENT PROFILE
The ISU Political Science Department is part of the University's
College of Arts and Sciences. The total number of students majoring within
the department averages approximately 150, that total usually being rather
evenly divided between Political Science majors and Pre-Law majors.
Although a mid- sized unit within the University in terms of its total
number of majors, the Political Science Department has in recent years had
one of the largest contingents of students in the University Honors
Program.
THE CURRICULUM
Schedule
of Classes
The BA degree in Political Science requires a minimum of 36 semester hours. The required courses in the program (24 semester hours) are as follows: PSCI 130, 201, 245, 319, 280, 330, 370, and 499. The remaining 12 semester hours consist of elective courses (of which at least 9 hours must be taken at the 400 level) chosen by the student in consultation with the department's undergraduate curriculum advisor. Students are advised to use these electives to develop special expertise in concentrated areas such as American politics or international affairs. Political Science majors are strongly encouraged to pursue minor programs in related areas of study; among the minors frequently chosen are Communications, Criminology, Economics, Public Administration, and Business Administration.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Internships can be arranged which provide students with the opportunity
to gain experience working in government agencies, public service
organizations, and the private sector. A special department internship
advisor assists in procuring placements.
Indiana State University is strongly committed to international education
and as such seeks to provide students with various opportunities for
overseas study. The Political Science department is heavily involved in
such programs and will work closely with students interested in
participating.
Students wishing to major in Political Science must meet the basic University admissions standards and must formally declare a major in Political Science. To be certified for graduation with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science, a student must satisfy all of the Department's criteria with regard to required and elective courses as well as achieving an overall grade point average of 2.20 in the 36 semester hours that constitute the major program. For further information, the toll-free number to call the Admissions Office is 1-800-742-0891 (nationwide).
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
In addition to the admissions standards mentioned above, international students must provide evidence of financial responsibility and proficiency in English. All international students interested in attending ISU should contact the ISU Office of International Student Affairs (Roger Lehr, Director; TEL: (812) 237-2440; FAX: (812) 237-3602) for assistance with application procedures, financial matters, and documentation/visas. You must begin the admissions process early since at least one year is normally required to complete it.
TUITION
Students from certain counties in Illinois pay Indiana in- state rather than out-of-state tuition rates. Currently these Illinois counties are Clark, Crawford, and Edgar.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid is available through a very wide variety of sources, a
few examples being: scholarships provided by the University, state and
federal governments, private individuals and associations, and businesses;
low-cost loans; and work/study programs. Most people will find
professional assistance invaluable (and often absolutely necessary) in
exploring aid opportunities. Thus you are strongly urged to contact the
ISU Financial Aid Office for information and help.
COMPUTERIZATION
Indiana State University has excellent computer facilities available to all students. The library catalog system is completely computerized, as are most other related research processes. The Political Science Department is fully linked to the University computer system, thereby gaining access to a wide variety of programs for word processing, data storage and management, statistical analysis, desktop publishing, etc. The Department is also linked to the Internet and the Bitnet, two worldwide computer networks for communication, data transfer, and research. Regarding Internet applications, the Department has developed and is constantly refining its expertise in the use of the Gopher and the World Wide Web. A special student LAN (Local Area Network) links all students to University's internal computer resources as well as to the external networks mentioned above. All student access to the University's computer resources and external networks is completely free of charge. All Political Science majors are expected to become familiar with the use of these computer facilities.
All Political Science majors are assigned a faculty advisor who assists them in planning their course schedules to assure that all graduation requirements are met. Departmental faculty and staff are also available to help students find job placements upon graduation or to aid them in securing admission to graduate programs. The University also operates a large-scale Career Center that provides a wide variety of programs to assist students in achieving their postgraduate ambitions.
PRE-LAW PROGRAM
The Political Science Department also offers a Bachelor's Degree in Pre-Law for those students interested in preparing for a career in the legal profession. Information about the program can be obtained from the Political Science Department, TEL: (812) 237-2430.
| GENERAL | |
| PSCI 105 | Contemporary Political Issues |
| PSCI 130 | Introduction to Political Science |
| PSCI 255 | Law and Cultural Politics |
| PSCI 301 | American Politics for International Students |
| PSCI 499 | Senior Seminar in Political Science |
| AMERICAN POLITICS | |
| PSCI 201 | American Government |
| PSCI 210 | Ethnic Groups in Politics |
| PSCI 305 | State and Local Government |
| PSCI 306 | Political Parties |
| PSCI 308 | The Judicial Process |
| PSCI 310 | Women and the Law |
| PSCI 317 | American Constitutional Law: An Introduction |
| PSCI 400 | Topics in American Politics |
| PSCI 404 | Indiana Politics |
| PSCI 407 | Legislative Process and Behavior |
| PSCI 409 | Congress and Public Policy |
| PSCI 410 | Groups and the Political Process |
| PSCI 412 | The Politics of Education |
| PSCI 414 | The American Presidency |
| PSCI 416 | Public Opinion and Mass Political Behavior |
| PSCI 417 | Constitutional Law and American Politics |
| PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | |
| PSCI 330 | Introduction to Public Administration |
| PSCI 331 | Techniques of Public Policy Analysis |
| PSCI 426 | Governmental Personnel Management |
| PSCI 429 | Organization Theory and Management |
| PSCI 431 | Government Regulation and Public Policy |
| PSCI 432 | Financial Administration |
| PSCI 434 | Comparative Public Administration |
| POLITICAL THEORY | |
| PSCI 245 | Political Inquiry |
| PSCI 309 | American Political Thought |
| PSCI 319 | Survey of Political Thought |
| PSCI 440 | Topics in Political Theory and Methodology |
| INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | |
| PSCI 370 | International Politics |
| PSCI 460 | American Foreign Policy |
| PSCI 465 | United States Diplomacy |
| PSCI 470 | Topics in International Politics |
| PSCI 471 | The United Nations and World Order |
| PSCI 473 | International Law |
| PSCI 474 | Latin America in World Politics |
| PSCI 475 | International Relations of Africa |
| PSCI 477 | The Middle East in World Affairs |
| PSCI 478 | USSR & CIS in World Affairs |
| COMPARATIVE POLITICS | |
| PSCI 280 | Introduction to Comparative Politics |
| PSCI 380 | The Third World |
| PSCI 480 | Topics in Comparative Politics |
| PSCI 481 | Politics in Western Europe |
| PSCI 483 | Latin American Politics |
| PSCI 486 | Politics of the Soviet Union in Transition |
| PSCI 488 | African Politics |
| PSCI 490 | Politics of the Middle East |
| PSCI 492 | Contemporary African Politics |
| SPECIAL COURSES | |
| PSCI 495 | Internship in Political Science |
| PSCI 497 | Field Work in Political Science |
| PSCI 498 | Readings in Political Science |
For additional information, write or call:
James M. Scott
Professor and Chair
PH: 812/237-2430 Fax: 812/237-3445
TOLL FREE: 1-800-GO-TO-ISU
email:
jscott22@isugw.indstate.edu
Back to Political Science: Undergraduate Handbook
The Catalog of Indiana State University is the document of authority for all students. The requirements given in the catalog supersede information issued by any academic department, program, college, or school. The University reserves the right to change the requirements at any time.