Mar 28, 2024  
2023/2024 University Catalog 
    
2023/2024 University Catalog

Political Science, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences


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(Major Code: 22071) (SIMS Code: 115501)

All candidates for a degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences must complete the graduation requirements listed in “Graduation Requirements .” A total of 40 upper division units must be taken, of which 30 must be selected as described in the major. No more than 48 units in political science courses can apply to the degree.

A minor is not required with this major.

Impacted Program

The Political Science major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the Political Science major, students must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete with a grade of C (2.0) or better: POL S 101 POL S 102 , either POL S 103  or POL S 104 , and three units of either Statistics or Logic (POL S 201 ECON 201 PSY 280 SOC 201 STAT 119 STAT 250 PHIL 120 ). These courses cannot be taken for credit/no credit (Cr/NC);
  2. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.40 or better.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the pre-major at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit http://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

Preparation for the Major


The major requires four lower-division courses (12 units): POL S 101, POL S 102, either POL S 103 or POL S 104, and a course in either statistics or logic.

These prerequisite courses may not be taken Cr/NC. The minimum grade in each class is C (2.0) or better.

Language Requirement


Competency (successfully completing the third college semester or fifth college quarter) is required in one language other than English to fulfill the graduation requirement. Refer to section of catalog on “Graduation Requirements .”

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


Complete POL S 390W  or another approved upper division writing course (W) with a grade of C (2.0) or better. See “Graduation Requirements ” section for a complete listing of requirements.

International Experience


The department encourages international experience for its majors. It will facilitate the transfer of political science credits for appropriate study abroad, student exchange, or other overseas programs. Study abroad courses, including international internship courses, may receive political science credit if approved in advance by the Political Science undergraduate adviser. 

Major


The major requires a minimum of 30 upper-division units: Three units in each of the four subfields, Political Theory, American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Politics (12 units total); three units from a capstone course, and 15 units from any SDSU upper-division political science courses (except POL S 390W ).

Upper-division political science courses from other universities may be used toward the major only with approval of the Political Science undergraduate adviser.

Courses by Field


The major requires one three-unit course in each of the four fields-Political Theory, American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Politics-for a total of 12 units. Additional courses in a field may be taken as major electives or, for the 500-level courses, as a capstone course.

American Politics


Capstone Requirement


The major requires one three-unit capstone course fulfilled by: 

Major Electives


The major requires 15 units of major electives, which may come from any SDSU upper-division political science courses (except POL S 390W).

Upper-division political science courses from other universities, including study abroad programs, may be used toward the major only with approval of the Political Science undergraduate advisor.

Students may optionally take up to three units toward the 15 units of major electives from one of:

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