Political Science (BA)
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Political Science to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.
Advising Notes
Important Notes for Political Science majors from Advising:
- This is a small major in terms of total credits and academic requirements, so it does not matter if you take one or two PLSC courses in your first semester – your choice!
- PLSC 100, 101, 102, and 103 can be taken in any order.
- With this major it is very manageable to add a second major or a minor in the future, and study abroad at almost any time. The LUC in DC Program is also a popular option for PLSC majors who want to participate in a domestic as opposed to international program.
- Don’t forget to check the AP/IB guide to ensure you know if you have any incoming credit that will count towards your Core requirements.
- If you prefer to take a foreign language in your first semester, you may do so and make room by swapping out one Core class. Be sure to take your placement exam unless you have no classroom experience with the language. The placement exam will tell you which course to enroll in for fall.
First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Political Science major, you will enroll in the following courses:
One or two of the following (3-6 credits):
- PLSC 100, PLSC 101, PLSC 102, PLSC 103
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Three or four of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 9-12 total credits):
- College Writing Seminar: UCWR 110, based on writing placement
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: HIST 101, HIST 102, HIST 103, or HIST 104
- Foundational Philosophical Knowledge: PHIL 130
- Foundational Literary Knowledge: UCLR 100C, UCLR 100E, or UCLR 100M
- Foundational Theological Knowledge: THEO 100 or THEO 107
- Ethics Knowledge: PHIL 181, PHIL 182, THEO 185, or THEO 186
- Quantitative Knowledge: PLSC 216 (preferred), CJC 206, COMP/MUSC 122, COMP 125 or 150, ISSCM 241, MATH 108, or STAT 103
- Artistic Knowledge: (see options in the Undergraduate Catalog)
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
Interdisciplinary Honors First Semester Course Recommendations
As a Political Science major, you will enroll in the following courses:
One or two of the following (3-6 credits):
- PLSC 100, PLSC 101, PLSC 102, PLSC 103
One Freshman Seminar:
- UNIV 101 (1 credit)
Interdisciplinary Honors Requirements (6 credits)
- HONR 101
- HONR D101
One or two of the following Core classes (Pick only one course per category, 3 - 6 total credits):
- Foundational Historical Knowledge: Any 100/200/300-level HIST course
- Foundational Scientific Knowledge: ENVS 101
The total number of credits you will enroll in for the fall is 16 credits.
The information on the tabs below will help students planning to major in Political Science to choose appropriate classes for their first semester. The recommendations below are for your first semester only, so you may have additional Core requirements, for example, that you'll learn more about during your first semester here.