Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Slippery Rock University

Political Science, Bachelor of Arts (BA) - Concentration in Professional Politics

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

  • Substantive Knowledge: Political Science students will demonstrate substantive knowledge of institutions, processes and values that shape politics within and among states, and the major theories, concepts, foundations, and methodologies used in the study of politics. (UG 9)
  • Critical Thinking: Political Science students will develop the capacity to think critically about local, state, national, and global politics. (UG 2)
  • Effective Communication: Political Science students will be able to present and defend their ideas, the information that they have acquired, and the analyses developed while utilizing scholarly approaches in political science. (UG 1)
  • Research Skills: Political Science students will demonstrate competency with basic tools underlying modern social and political science research, including proficiency in both quantitative and qualitative analysis, which will allow students to ask and answer basic political questions. (UG 3, UG 4)
  • Engagement in Politics: Political Science students will be prepared for active citizenship and demonstrate an ongoing interest in local, state, national and global politics. (UG 7)

RELATED LINKS

Political Science, BA Program Page

Professional Licensure/Certification Page

CURRICULUM GUIDE

GPA REQUIREMENT

Major GPA: 2.00 or higher
Overall GPA: 2.00 or higher

SUMMARY*

Rock Studies 2 Requirements42
Modern Language Requirement0-9
Other Basic Requirements0-3
Major Requirements39
Electives39

ROCK STUDIES 2 REQUIREMENTS

The Rock
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 13
ENGL 102Critical Writing3
ENGL 104Critical Reading3
MATH 117Quantitative Reasoning3
Select one of the following:3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
Subtotal15
Integrated Inquiry
Creative and Aesthetic Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Humanities Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Social Science Inquiry
Select 3 Credits3
Natural Sciences Inquiry
SCI 101Science of Life3
Physical Sciences Inquiry
SCI 102Understanding the Physical World3
Subtotal15
Thematic Thread
Select 12 Credits 212
Total Hours42
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

One course from each category; six credits must be 300-level or above; no more than 4 credits from one subject area; specific courses required in first major, regardless of prefix of course, cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements; any course with same prefix as first major cannot be used to satisfy thread requirements, even if it is not a course in the first major.

BA Modern Language Requirement

BA degree requires language proficiency at the 103 class level. Exemption by placement or examination is possible.

Complete 0-9 credits0-9
Total Hours0-9

Basic Math Requirement

Check with your adviser or a current degree audit report to see if you have been exempted from this course. The credit earned in this course will not be counted toward the 120 credit hour minimum needed to earn a degree.

Complete one of the following:0-3
Meet required minimum SAT or ACT math score OR
Beginning Algebra
Total Hours0-3

DIVERSITY,  EQUITY,  AND INCLUSION REQUIREMENT

Students must take and pass a course with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) designation prior to graduation.  Students can meet this requirement by taking any DEI - designated course in any program at any time during their undergraduate career. 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

  • 21 major credits must be taken at SRU or PASSHE
  • 21 major credits must be taken at the 300 level or above
Major Requirements
Political Science Core Coursework
POLS 101American National Government 13
POLS 103International Relations 13
POLS 255Introduction to Public Policy 13
POLS 263Introduction to Comparative Politics 13
POLS 310Political Science Research Toolkit 13
POLS 444Applied Political Analysis 13
Professional Politics Concentration Required Coursework
Required Courses
POLS 200State and Local Government 13
POLS 301Organized Political Action 13
POLS 328Assessing Public Opinion 13
POLS 372Campaign Management & Strategy 13
Select 3 credits in Political Institutions3
Law and Courts 1
The Presidency 1
The Congress 1
Select 6 credits in Professional Politics-Related Electives6
Seminar in Democracy 1
Political Learning 1
Internship 1
Civic Engagement and Community Decision-Making 1
Introduction to Nonprofit Management 1
Community Change and Development 1
Total Hours39
1

Course counts for 50% of Major requirements and Major GPA

*

Some courses may require pre-requisites. Please see course descriptions to determine if there are any pre-requisites for that specific course.

Important Curriculum Guide Notes

This Curriculum Guide is provided to help SRU students and prospective students better understand their intended major curriculum. Enrolled SRU students should note that the My Rock Audit may place already-earned and/or in progress courses in different, yet valid, curriculum categories. Enrolled SRU students should use the My Rock Audit Report and materials and information provided by their faculty advisers to ensure accurate progress towards degree completion. The information on this guide is current as of the date listed. Students are responsible for curriculum requirements at the time of enrollment at the University.

PASSHE - Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Institutions

Political Science BA (5 68) with Concentration in Professional Politics (PRPL)
This program is effective as of Summer 2021
Revised 12.20.2022
UCC 10.25.2022/11.29.22

RECOMMENDED FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallHours
POLS 101 American National Government 3
POLS 255
Introduction to Public Policy
or Introduction to Comparative Politics
3
ENGL 102 Critical Writing 3
ESAP 101 FYRST Seminar * 1
MODL 1XXLanguage and Culture I, II, or III 3
SUBJ 139Foundations of Academic Discovery 1 3
 Hours16
Spring
POLS 103 International Relations 3
MATH 117 Quantitative Reasoning 3
MODL 1XXLanguage and Culture I, II, or III 3
ENGL 104 Critical Reading 3
Select one of the following: 3
Civil Discourse: Theory & Practice
Ethics and Civil Discourse
Civil Discourse and Democracy
 Hours15
Second Year
Fall
POLS 255
Introduction to Public Policy
or Introduction to Comparative Politics
3
POLS XXXConcentration Requirement 3
MODL 1XXLanguage and Culture I, II, or III 3
Creative & Aesthetic Inquiry 3
Social Science Inquiry 3
Declare a Thematic Thread 2
 Hours15
Spring
POLS XXXConcentration Requirement 3
POLS XXXConcentration Requirement 3
Humanities Inquiry 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Elective/Minor/Certificate/Second Major 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall
POLS XXXConcentration Requirement 3
POLS XXXConcentration Requirement 3
SCI 101 Science of Life 3
Elective/Minor/Certificate/Second Major 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
 Hours15
Spring
POLS 310 Political Science Research Toolkit 3
POLS XXXConcentration Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
SCI 102 Understanding the Physical World 3
Elective/Minor/Certificate/Second Major 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall
POLS 444 Applied Political Analysis 3
POLS XXXConcentration Requirement 3
Thematic Thread Requirement 3
Free/Minor/Certificate/Second Major 6
 Hours15
Spring
Free/Minor/Certificate/Second Major 12
POLS XXXConcentration Requirement 3
 Hours15
 Total Hours**121
1

Course offered in multiple subjects; cannot take course in first major subject.

2

Work with your Academic Adviser to declare a Thematic Thread by the end of your fall semester in your second year.

*

Students are encouraged to take ESAP 101 as a Free Elective.

** This document is meant to serve as a guide. Some planners may show more than 120 credits because faculty have created flexibility in choosing courses.  However, only 120 credits are required to obtain a degree. Please consult with your academic adviser and refer to your curriculum guide prior to registering for courses. This plan should be reviewed, and verified, by you and your academic adviser at least once each academic year. 

Major Code: 5 68
Concentration Code:  PRPL
Revised: 07.18.2023