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    Oct 08, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science


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OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: A “C” or better is required in all Political Science (POS) courses counting towards the major.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: A minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C”) in the major.

Required Course(s) for fulfilling Capstone Experience: POS 499, or POS 487 and POS 488 taken together.

Contact Information: Amy Fried, Professor and Chair, 115 North Stevens Hall (207) 581-1797, amyfried@maine.edu


Political Science examines the nature of politics from diverse perspectives. The requirements for majors in the department teach students to think critically about the fundamental theories, principles, institutions, and practices of politics in their social and historical contexts. Course work in the department is required in four main sub-fields of the discipline of political science - American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory - so that students will acquire the knowledge and skills for further study in law school or graduate school, or will be prepared for careers in public service or related fields. Opportunities for internships and for independent study with faculty are numerous. The department encourages its students to pursue related work in the humanities and social sciences so that their political studies fall within the context of a liberal arts education.

Major Requirements:

  • POS 100, American Government.
  • A minimum of 36 credits in POS courses with grades of “C” (2.0) or better. The 36 credits must be distributed as follows and at least 21 of the 36 credits must be at the 300, 400, or 500-level:
    American Politics (6 cr.)
    International Relations (6 cr.)
    Comparative Politics (6 cr.)
    Political Theory (6 cr.)
    POS Electives (POS 100 may be used as an elective) (12 cr.)
  • Students must have a minimum of 72 hours outside their major

Majors within the department may not receive more than a total of 12 credits toward graduation for any combination of internships and field experience, and not more than 6 credits may be used toward the departmental major. A field supervisor normally participates in the evaluation of an internship or field experience course.

  • A minimum of 18 of the 36 POS credits required must be completed at the University of Maine.

The requirements listed on this page are specific to this particular major. Students are also responsible for meeting any graduation requirements set out by their college. Students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) should make sure to review those requirements as stated on the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences  page of the catalog.

American Politics:


Three credits of an internship or field experience course related to American Politics may be used toward satisfying this sub-field requirement.

International Relations:


Three credits of an internship or field experience course related to International Relations may be used toward satisfying this sub-field requirement.

Political Theory:


Internship and Independent Study Courses:


Suggested curriculum for the B.A. in Political Science


First Year - First Semester


First Year - Second Semester


Second Year - First Semester


  • Credits: 3
  • Course from Upper Level American Politics Sub-field  Credits: 3
  • General Education: Cultural Diversity and International Perspectives Credits: 3
  • General Education: Mathematics Credits: 3
  • Course towards Minor or Double Major  Credits: 3

Second Year - Second Semester


  • POS Upper Level Course from International Relations Sub-field Credits: 3
  • POS Upper Level Course from Comparative Politics Sub-field Credits: 3
  • General Education: Lab-Science Credits: 4
  • General Education: Writing Intensive Credits: 3
  • General Education: Population and the Environment Credits: 3

Third Year - First Semester


  • POS Upper level American Credits: 3
  • POS Upper level theory Credits: 3
  • General Education: Artistic and Creative Expression Credits: 3
  • Course towards Minor or Double Major Credits: 6

Third Year - Second Semester


  • POS Upper level Elective Credits: 3
  • POS Upper level Elective Credits: 3 
  • General Education: Human Values and Social Context Credits: 3
  • Course towards Minor or Double Major Credits: 6

Fourth Year - First Semester


Fourth Year - Second Semester


  • POS Upper level electives Credits: 6
  • Electives Credits: 9

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