Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit. 

Bachelor of Arts, Major in Political Science
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) 23
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences)3
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 2, 34
Degree Specific Requirements
Fine Arts (ARTS, DANC, MUSI, PHIL 3366, or THEA)3
Foreign Language 214
PHIL 3
Major: Foundation
COMS or THEA: Select one of the following:3
Public Speaking 3
Comm. for Bus. & Professions
Persuasion
Small Group Communication
Beginning Acting
Voice I for the Actor
Computer Science: Select one of the following:3
Business Computer Applications
Introduction to Computers
Major: Required 4
POLS 3374
POLS 3379
Quantitative Methd for Pol Sci
and Research & Writing in Pol Sci
6
Political Theory: Select one of the following:3
Contemporary Political Theory
Ideologies and Democracy
Survey of Political Theory
American Political Thought
POLS International Relations/Comparative Politics (Select one of the following):3
Cent & Eastern European Politi
Intro to Comparative Politics
Asian Politics
Religion and Politics
Western European Politics
Politics of The Middle East
Intro International Relations
American Foreign Policy
International Law & Org
International Political Econ
Latin American Politics
International Human Rights
Conflict Studies
Political Violence & Terrorism
POLS American Politics (Select one of the following):3
Local Political Systems
State Political Systems
Judicial Systems
Pol Ethnic Minorities & Gender
The Presidency and Executives
The Congress and Legislatures
Political Parties-Interest Grp
Politics and The Media
Const Law I:Civ Rights& Librts
Const Law II:Gov Pwr/St-Fed Rl
Political Attitudes & Behavior
Major: Prescribed Electives
POLS Electives (at least six hours must be advanced) 59
Electives: Advanced
Advanced Electives6
Electives: General
General Electives4
Minor: Required 618
Total Hours120
1

MATH 1332 or MATH 1342 is recommended.

2

Four Foreign Language courses in one language required. If a student uses the last two foreign language courses to satisfy Component Area IV and Component Area IX in core curriculum in addition to the degree specific requirements, additional elective credit will be needed to reach the minimum 120 credits. 

3

COMS 1361 satisfies 3 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement of Component Area IX (Component Area Option). 

4

Additional Requirements:

  • No grade below a C in a Political Science course will count toward the major.
  • Students must have 42 advanced hours; at least 15 hours of POLS must be advanced. 
5

POLS 2304 is recommended. 

6

The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Political Science. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Additional Requirements:

  • No grade below a C in a Political Science course will count toward the major.
  • Students must have 42 advanced hours; at least 15 hours of POLS must be advanced. 

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.  

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area II13Component Area V3
Component Area VII3Component Area VII3
ENGL 130123ENGL 130223
Foreign Language34Foreign Language 34
HIST 130143HIST 130243
 16 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area III4
Component Area IV3Component Area IX3
Component Area VIII3Component Area IX1
Foreign Language33Foreign Language33
POLS Electives53POLS 33793
 16 14
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
COMS or THEA63BUAD 1305 or CSTE 13303
Minor73Minor73
POLS (American Politics)83Minor73
POLS (International Relations/Comparative Politics)93POLS Electives53
POLS 3377, 3378, 3373, or 33723POLS 33743
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Fine Arts (ARTS, DANC, MUSI, PHIL 3366, or THEA)3Advanced Electives3
Minor73Advanced Electives 3
Minor73General Electives3
PHIL3General Electives1
POLS Electives53Minor73
 15 13
Total Hours: 120
1

MATH 1332 or MATH 1342 is recommended.

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communications).

3

Four Foreign Language courses in one language required. If a student uses the last two foreign language courses to satisfy Component Area IV and Component Area IX in core curriculum in addition to the degree specific requirements, additional elective credit will be needed to reach the minimum 120 credits. 

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

5

POLS 2304 is recommended.

6

See Major Foundation course list below. 

7

The following minor cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Political Science. 

8

See American Politics course list below.  

9

See International Relations/Comparative Politics course list below.  

American Politics
Select one of the following:
POLS 3331Local Political Systems3
POLS 3332State Political Systems3
POLS 3334Judicial Systems3
POLS 3335Pol Ethnic Minorities & Gender3
POLS 3336The Presidency and Executives3
POLS 3337The Congress and Legislatures3
POLS 3360Political Parties-Interest Grp3
POLS 3364Politics and The Media3
POLS 4334Const Law I:Civ Rights& Librts3
POLS 4335Const Law II:Gov Pwr/St-Fed Rl3
POLS 4372Political Attitudes & Behavior3
International Relations/Comparative Politics
Select one of the following:
POLS 3361Cent & Eastern European Politi3
POLS 3365Intro to Comparative Politics3
POLS 3368Asian Politics3
POLS 3369Religion and Politics3
POLS 3370Western European Politics3
POLS 3375Politics of The Middle East3
POLS 3380Intro International Relations3
POLS 3381American Foreign Policy3
POLS 3385International Law & Org3
POLS 3386International Political Econ3
POLS 3387Latin American Politics3
POLS 4383International Human Rights3
POLS 4384Conflict Studies3
POLS 4385Political Violence & Terrorism3
Major Foundation Course List
Select one of the following:
COMS 1361Public Speaking 13
COMS 2382Comm. for Bus. & Professions3
COMS 3374Persuasion3
COMS 3383Small Group Communication3
THEA 1364Beginning Acting3
THEA 2336Voice I for the Actor3
1

COMS 1361 satisfies 3 hours of the Core Curriculum requirement of Component Area IX (Component Area Option). 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework.

Additional Requirements:

  • No grade below a C in a Political Science course will count toward the major.
  • Students must have 42 advanced hours; at least 15 hours of POLS must be advanced. 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BA in Political Science is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Analytical, writing, speaking, interpersonal, and professional skills.
  • Work as effective members of a team.
  • Utilize technology to solve problems and accomplish goals.
  • Prepare students for professional careers in the 21st century.
  • Prepare students to make meaningful contributions to local, state, national, and global communities.