Political Science, Minor Minor
Political science is the study of governments, political processes, public policies and political behavior by groups or individuals and is an ideal major for students with a passion for current events.聽 At 51猎奇, students take coursework from four broad areas of political science in order to obtain a well-rounded education in the field: American politics, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. Along with exploring these substantive areas, students strengthen their research, writing, and critical thinking skills.聽 With this background, students leave 51猎奇 ready to enter graduate school or the world of work in government, international organizations, campaigns, business, consulting, nonprofits, and many other industries. This broad the minor is available entirely online, or students can mix-and-match and take a some online and some traditional classes. Many students find that a degree in Political Science aligns well with their interest in law and their plans to attend law school after college. Students planning for law school also often participate in our law sports programs such as intercollegiate moot court and intercollegiate mock trial.
Program Type
Minor
Program Format
On Campus, Online
What pairs well with a Political Science minor?
Any other topic related to people and society!
- Sociology
- Criminal Justice
- Economics
- Urban Studies
- History
- International Studies
- Global Studies
- Journalism
Requirements
Minors are required to complete a minimum of 18 credits in political science, of which at least 9 must be in upper-division courses (numbered 300 or above) taken at 51猎奇. Minors must complete courses in at least two of the following four areas: American politics, comparative politics, international politics, and political theory. Students must attain a 2.0 GPA in all political science courses, including any transfer work, and a 2.0 GPA in all political science courses taken at 51猎奇.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory and methods courses | ||
| These are courses that count toward your minor in Political Science, but do not count toward the 'two different areas' requirement. | ||
| Introduction to Political Science | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science Research | 3 | |
| Political Data Analysis | 3 | |
| Survey Research | 3 | |
| Areas of Political Science | ||
| Use this list to ensure that you take courses from at least two different areas of Political Science. | ||
| American Politics | ||
| Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 | |
| State Politics | 3 | |
| Multicultural America: Minority Voting Rights and Representation | 3 | |
| Introduction to Public Service | 3 | |
| American Public Policy | 3 | |
| Urban Government and Politics | 3 | |
| Ethnicity, Religion and Race in American Politics | 3 | |
| Environmental Politics | 3 | |
| Public Administration | 3 | |
| Law and Society | 3 | |
| Topics in American Politics: | 3 | |
| Cyberpolitics 1 | 3 | |
| The American Presidency | 3 | |
| Law Through Popular Culture | 3 | |
| Constitutional Law: Government Powers and Federalism | 3 | |
| Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties | 3 | |
| The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Immigration | 3 | |
| Judicial Politics | 3 | |
| The Supreme Court | 3 | |
| Constitutional Interpretation | 3 | |
| Party Politics in America | 3 | |
| Women in Politics | 3 | |
| Congressional Politics | 3 | |
| Urban Political Problems | 3 | |
| Administrative Law | 3 | |
| Sex, Gender, and the Law | 3 | |
| Elections and Voting Behavior | 3 | |
| Problems in Law Studies: | 3 | |
| Public Opinion | 3 | |
| Political Psychology | 3 | |
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Politics of the World's Nations | 3 | |
| Russian and Post-Soviet Politics | 3 | |
| The Politics of Authoritarian Regimes | 3 | |
| Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | 3 | |
| Politics of Revolution in Developing Nations | 3 | |
| Latin American Politics | 3 | |
| The Arab-Israeli Conflict | 3 | |
| African Politics | 3 | |
| Seminar in Comparative Politics: | 3 | |
| Comparative Political Systems | 3 | |
| Korean Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | 3 | |
| Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict | 3 | |
| Health, Wealth, and Democracy | 3 | |
| Elections in the Modern World | 3 | |
| International Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | 3 | |
| Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | 3 | |
| International Law | 3 | |
| The Politics of International Economic Relations | 3 | |
| International Organization and the United Nations | 3 | |
| Seminar in International Relations: | 3 | |
| Politics of Nuclear Weapons | 3 | |
| Asian International Relations | 3 | |
| Korean Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | 3 | |
| Problems of American Foreign Policy | 3 | |
| Theories and Methods in International Politics | 3 | |
| International Conflict | 3 | |
| Morality, Conflict and War | 3 | |
| Current Crises and Events in International Relations | 3 | |
| Conduct of American Foreign Affairs | 3 | |
| Political Theory | ||
| Sex and Power | 3 | |
| The Body Politic: Topics in Health and Politics | 3 | |
| Classics of Political Theory | 3 | |
| History of International Political Thought | 3 | |
| The Development of Western Political Thought | 3 | |
| Modern Political Thought | 3 | |
| Environmental Political Theory | 3 | |
| The Philosophy of Law | 3 | |
| American Political Thought | 3 | |
| Contemporary Political Theory | 3 | |
| Politics and Philosophy: | 3 | |
- 1
Depending on instructor, may satisfy American Politics or International Relations area requirement, but not both.
- 2
May be used to satisfy Comparative Politics or International Politics but not both.
Letters & Science Minor Advising
Advising for the minor takes place within the department by a faculty member or staff member. Follow the steps using the "Declare a Minor" button on the department鈥檚 website which may include instructions on how to select a faculty advisor if there is more than one to choose from.
Students who already have an L&S college advisor because their degree plan is in L&S can discuss the minor with them as well since they will be familiar with any minor in L&S. Students who are working on a degree from a 51猎奇 college other than the College of Letters & Science will not need an L&S college advisor for just a minor and one will not be assigned. These students should work with the faculty or staff advisor they receive as part of the minor declaration process or contact the department directly for assistance.
Applicants who have not started classes at 51猎奇 yet who wish to declare a minor should wait until they are registered for their first 51猎奇 classes and then can declare the minor using the 鈥淒eclare a Minor鈥� button on the program鈥檚 website. If you have questions about the minor before then, contact聽let-sci@uwm.edu.
The Political Science major and minor are available for completion entirely online. Learn more about how the online program works.