Undergraduate Programs – Major
Department of Political Science Options
American Political Management OPTION
Global Political Studies OPTION
The Law OPTION
Social Science Education OPTION
American Political Management OPTION
Purpose
This OPTION is designed for students who want to become involved in the growing field of campaign management, lobbying, community organizing, public affairs consulting, or legislative service. The pursuit of public office or political change links these diverse pursuits. Communication skills, knowledge of political institutions, an understanding of the electoral and policy processes, practical experience and the ability to critically evaluate political culture and the policies that culture generates will provide the student with a base from which to pursue these exciting careers. The OPTION will show prospective employers that the student understands not only how government and policy work, but also how government and policy can be changed in the modern world.
Admission
OPTIONS are open to all Political Science majors without formal registration. Upon entry into an OPTION, the student must meet with their faculty Adviser or with the Counseling Office Adviser (in room 222, Thompson) to develop a prospective study plan for fulfilling the OPTION requirements. This plan is flexible but allows the student to map out prospective course choices to fulfill the OPTION requirements according to his/her specific interests and post-graduation plans.
Graduation
To complete the OPTION and obtain recognition at the time of graduation, the student must complete the required courses listed below as well as some combination of electives. The student must maintain a 2.0 GPA in Political Science as well as meet all other College and UMass Amherst requirements for graduation. Upon request the department will issue a “Letter of Completion” to graduating seniors who fulfill this OPTION.
Required Courses
Political Science: (11 courses, 34 credits)
Introductory requirement (2 courses)
2 courses: 100 Level
PoliSci 101—American Politics
One other 100—level political science courseDistribution requirement (4 courses)
Students are required to take at least one course at the 200 level or above in each of the following fields (4 courses). Distribution requirements are in addition to, not a substitute for, the concentration requirements set out below.
- American Politics: (Courses with a 0, 1, 2, 6 or 8 after the first digit)
- Comparative Politics: (Courses with a 3 or a 4 after the first digit)
- International Relations: (Courses with a 5 after the first digit)
- Political Theory: (Courses with a 7 after the first digit)
Concentration requirement (4 courses)
1 course: Foundations of American Politics
PoliSci 203—American Political Thought
PoliSci 297—Race, Culture & American Politics
PoliSci 360—Constitutional Law
PoliSci 361—Civil Liberties1 course: Institutions & Policy
PoliSci 214—Urban Government & Politics
PoliSci 219—State and Local Government
PoliSci 220—Public Administration
PoliSci 302—American Presidency
PoliSci 305—Congress & Legislative Process
PoliSci 367—The Supreme Court
PoliSci 280—Public Policy
Any of the 300 level Policy Courses offered by the department2 courses: Practice of American Politics
PoliSci 208—Political Parties & Elections
PoliSci 297—Modern Political Campaigns
PoliSci 297—News Media & Politics
PoliSci 307—Black Politics
PoliSci 308—Public Opinion
PoliSci 317—Massachusetts Politics
PoliSci 362—Politics, Law & Judicial Behavior
PoliSci 363—The Politics of LawInternship requirement (1 course)
PoliSci 483—Political Science Internship (minimum of three credits)Junior Year Writing Requirement
PoliSci 399 (1 credit) taken in conjunction with any of the above distribution or concentration requirement courses.
Elective Cognate Courses
It is strongly recommended that students take 6 courses, 18 credits, from among the following:
Hist 150—Development of American Civilization to 1876
Hist 151—Development of American Civilization since 1876
Any History course numbered in the 360s, 370s, or 380s
Econ 103—Introduction to Microeconomics
Econ 104—Introduction to Macroeconomics
Econ 105—Introduction to Political Economy
Econ 121—The International Economy
Econ 144—Political Economy of Racism
Com 121—Introduction to Media & Culture
Com 222—Media Programming & Institutions
Com 234—History of Electronic Media
Com 412—Political Communication
Com 537—Broadcasting & Government
Journ 310—The Press & the Third World
Journ 312—Journalism & the Law
Journ 320—History of American Journalism
Journ 335—Introduction to Public Relations
Journ 345—Media Criticism
Global Political Studies OPTION
Purpose
Many political science majors are interested in international relations and foreign politics and governments. To encourage systematic study of these subjects the Global Political Studies OPTION helps students to follow a logical course of study in which they are exposed to a variety of approaches, global regions and issues. Topics of interest include foreign and security policy, political economy, democratic reform, war and conflict (including internal strife), and new social movements.
This OPTION allows students to fulfill the Five College International Relations Certificate (many courses fulfill both requirements), undertake study abroad, and prepare for graduate and professional study in international relations and law, Foreign Service, and political science. It also opens career paths in international and government service, business, and law. Students should consult their advisers to focus their interests and take advantage of campus, Five College, and study abroad opportunities in global studies.
Admission
OPTIONS are open to all Political Science majors without formal registration. Upon entry into an OPTION, the student must meet with their faculty Adviser or with the Counseling Office Adviser (in Thompson 222) to develop a prospective study plan for fulfilling the OPTION requirements. This plan is flexible but allows the student to map out prospective course choices to fulfill the OPTION requirements according to his/her specific interests and post-graduation plans.
Graduation
To complete the OPTION and obtain recognition at the time of graduation, the student must complete the required courses listed below as well as some combination of electives. The student must maintain a 2.0 GPA in Political Science as well as meet all other College and UMass Amherst requirements for graduation. Upon request the department will issue a “Letter of Completion” to graduating seniors who fulfill this OPTION.
Required Courses
Political Science: (11 courses, 34 credits)
Introductory requirement (2 courses)
PoliSci 111—Comparative Politics
PoliSci 121—World PoliticsDistribution requirement (4 courses)
Students are required to take at least one course at the 200 level or above in each of the following fields. Distribution requirements are in addition to, not a substitute for, the concentration requirements set out below:
- American Politics: (Courses with a 0,1, 2, 6 or 8 after the first digit)
- Comparative Politics: (Courses with a 3 or a 4 after the first digit)
- International Relations: (Courses with a 5 after the first digit)
- Political Theory: (Courses with a 7 after the first digit)
Concentration requirement (5 courses)
All courses must be at the 200-level or above.1 additional Comparative Politics course (Courses with a 3 or a 4 after the first digit)
1 additional International Relations course (Courses with a 5 after the first digit)
2 additional courses drawn from either the Comparative Politics or International Relations field (Courses with a 3, 4, or 5 after the first digit)
1 additional political science course from any field including a graded three-credit internship course (PoliSci 483-Political Science Internship with the internship clearly tied to global political studies or issues) or a Senior Honors Thesis (PoliSci 499T)
Junior Year Writing Requirement
PoliSci 399 (1 credit) taken in conjunction with any of the above distribution or concentration requirement courses.
Elective Cognate Courses
It is recommended that students take related courses in Economics, History, foreign languages and area studies as appropriate. Students are also urge to pursue the Five College International Relations Certificate Program, appropriate area studies certificates and to consider study abroad opportunities.
The Law Option
Purpose
The law option has been designed for students who wish to focus their academic work by taking law-related courses or consider themselves pre-law. This option should also be of interest to students wishing to prepare for the criminal justice and paralegal professions. The law option is also comparable with students who double major in history, legal studies, or any of the other social sciences.
Admission
The student must be a Political Science major. Before pursuing this option, the student is encouraged to meet with a faculty advisor and develop a two- or three-page study plan, which will provide the student with a set of goals to facilitate completion of the option.
Graduation
With the completion of the requirements for the Law Option, a student may request a letter from the Department certifying that the Law Option has been fulfilled. To complete the option and obtain the letter of certification from the Department at the time of graduation, the student must satisfy the requirements of the option and should have completed some combination of electives outside the Department. The student must maintain a 2.0 GPA in Political Science as well as meet all other College and UMass Amherst requirements for graduation.
Required Courses
Political Science (11 courses, 33 credits)
Introductory Requirement (2 courses)
PoliSci 100—American Politics
One additional 100 level political science course either
PoliSci 162—Introduction to Constitutional Law or
PoliSci 163—Introduction to Civil Liberties.
Distribution Requirement (4 courses)
- American Politics: (Courses with a 1, 2, 3, 6 or 8 after the first digit; students are urged NOT to satisfy the distribution with a law related course)
- Comparative Politics: (Courses with a 2 or a 4 after the first digit)
- International Relations: (Courses with a 5 after the first digit; International Law may be used to satisfy this requirement)
- Political Theory: (Courses with a 7 after the first digit)
Concentration Requirement (5 courses)
Courses should be taken from the 360 series below of as further specified. Not more than one of the five course can be an independent study course with a law focus or a graded law-related internship or Honors law-related research. Note that Honors Thesis (POLISCI 499Y) and Honors Project (POLISCI 499P) are in addition to the 11 course requirement for the major. Note also that up to two law-related course may be taken at other political science departments (five college, study abroad, exchange, or transfer).360 Constitutional Law
361 Civil Liberties
362 Politics, Law and Judicial Behavior
363 The Politics of Law
365 Bill of Rights/Equal Protection
366 The First Amendment
367 The Supreme CourtJunior Year Writing Requirement for the Political Science major must be completed and may be done with any writing course offered by the Department.
Elective Cognate Courses
It is recommended that students take law-related courses in Legal Studies, Sociology, Economics, and History.
Social Science Education OPTION
Purpose
The Department of Political Science offers an OPTION in Social Science Education designed to fulfill requirements in the Curriculum Framework for History and Social Science established by the Massachusetts Department of Education. The OPTION is for students who wish to major in Political Science and prepare for certification as a social studies teacher at the secondary level in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Admission
OPTIONS are open to all Political Science majors without formal registration. Upon entry into an OPTION, the student must meet with their faculty Adviser or with the Counseling Office Adviser (in room 222, Thompson) to develop a prospective study plan for fulfilling the OPTION requirements. This plan is flexible but allows the student to map out prospective course choices to fulfill the OPTION requirements according to his/her specific interests and post-graduation plans.
Graduation
To complete the OPTION and obtain recognition at the time of graduation, the student must complete the required courses listed below as well as some combination of electives. The student must maintain a 2.0 GPA in Political Science as well as meet all other College and University requirements for graduation. Upon request the department will issue a “Letter of Completion” to graduating seniors who fulfill this OPTION.
Required Courses
Political Science: (11 courses, 34 credits)
Introductory requirement (3 courses)
Political Science 101—American Politics
Political Science 111—Comparative Politics
Political Science 121—World PoliticsDistribution requirement (4 courses)
Students are required to take at least one course at the 200 level or above in each of the following fields. Distribution requirements are in addition to, not a substitute for, the concentration requirements set out below.American Politics:
Political Science 203-American Political ThoughtComparative Politics:
Political Science 236—Russian Politics
Political Science 239—Government and Politics of West Europe
Political Science 245—Government and Politics of the English Speaking Caribbean
Political Science 332—Government and Politics of Scandinavia
Political Science 335—Government and Politics of East Central Europe
Political Science 340—Government and Politics of Latin America
Political Science 343—Government and Politics of East Africa
Political Science 346—Government and Politics of West AfricaInternational Relations:
Political Science 253—International Environmental Politics and Policies
Political Science 255—American Foreign Policy
Political Science 351—International Security Policy
Political Science 352—Inter-American Relations
Political Science 354—International Relations
Political Science 356—International Law
Political Science 357—International Organization
Political Science 359—International Political EconomyPolitical Theory:
Political Science 270—Ancient Political Thought
Political Science 271—Modern Political Thought
Political Science 373—Contemporary Political Theory
Political Science 374—Issues in Political Theory
Political Science 375—Feminist Theory and PoliticsConcentration requirement (3 courses)
One course drawn from the following State and Local Politics courses:
Political Science 219—State and Local Government
Political Science 317—Massachusetts PoliticsOne course drawn from the following American Government & Politics courses:
Political Science 208—Political Parties and Elections
Political Science 214—Urban Government and Politics
Political Science 280—Public Policy
Political Science 297—Special Topics (e.g., "News Media and Politics," or "Modern Political Campaigning," or "Race, Culture and American Politics")
Political Science 302—The American Presidency
Political Science 305—Congress and the Legislative Process
Political Science 307—Black Politics
Political Science 380—Social Welfare Policy
Political Science 382—Environmental PolicyOne course drawn from the following Constitutional Law & the Courts courses:
Political Science 360—Constitutional Law
Political Science 361—Civil Liberties
Political Science 362—Politics, Law, and Judicial Behavior
Political Science 363—The Politics of Law
Political Science 367—The Supreme CourtJunior Year Writing Requirement (1 course)
One additional three credit course at the 200-level or above in any of the above categories taken in conjunction with Political Science 399-Junior Year Writing (1 credit)
Elective Cognate Courses
The Curriculum Framework for History and Social Science published by the Massachusetts Department of Education also specifies courses in departments outside Political Science. These are indicated below. We strongly recommend that you take these courses, especially those in History, as part of your program of study.
History (5 courses)
2 courses in U.S. History
1 course in European History
2 courses in Non-Western History
Economics (1 course)
Introductory Economics or Political Economics.
Geography (Geosciences) or Culture (Anthropology) (1 course)
to be chosen from: Human, Physical, or Economic Geography, or Cultural/Social Anthropology
Elective (1 course)
to be chosen from:
African American Studies, Anthropology, Classics, Communications, Judaic Studies, Philosophy, Sociology, or Women’s Studies
