DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
Undergraduate Department of Political Science
COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & PUBLIC POLICY
Chair: Brad Gomez; LeRoy Collins Eminent Scholar: L. Atkeson; Syde P. Deeb Eminent Scholar & Marian D. Irish Professor: W. Berry; Professors: Coleman, Hassell, Jackson, Reenock, Souva; Associate Professors: Beazer, Driscoll, Ehrlich, Grosser, Kern, Ou, Pietryka, Rainey; Assistant Professors: Ballard, Davis, Foster, Gasparyan, Haim, Matush, Milliff, Whyman; Teaching Faculty: Cyphers, Kile, Nagar; Affiliated Faculty: F. Berry, Cockerham, Landau, Metcalf; Professors Emeriti: Atkins, Barrilleaux, Crew, Dye, Flanagan, Glick, Kim, Scholz, C. Weissert, W. Weissert
The political science major offers an undergraduate education in the liberal arts tradition, preparing the graduate for a variety of careers by emphasizing the acquisition of skills in communication and analysis and by encouraging independent thought, tolerance, and informed interest in current affairs. More specifically, the study of political science provides background for careers in government at the local, state, and national levels; in international organizations; political campaigns; interest groups and lobbying organizations; journalism; business; and the law.
Digital Literacy Requirement
Students must complete at least one course designated as meeting the Digital Literacy Requirement with a grade of “C–” or higher. Courses fulfilling the Digital Literacy Requirement must accomplish at least three of the following outcomes:
Evaluate and interpret the accuracy, credibility, and relevance of digital information
Evaluate and interpret digital data and their implications
Discuss the ways in which society and/or culture interact with digital technology
Discuss digital technology trends and their professional implications
Demonstrate the ability to use digital technology effectively
Demonstrate the knowledge to use digital technology safely and ethically
Each academic major has determined the courses that fulfill the Digital Literacy requirement for that major. Students should contact their major department(s) to determine which courses will fulfill their Digital Literacy requirement.
Undergraduate majors in political science satisfy this requirement by earning a grade of “C–” or higher in CGS 2060 or CGS 2100, or through other mechanisms as detailed in the relevant section of this General Bulletin.
State of Florida Common Program Prerequisites for Political Science
The Florida Virtual Campus (FLVC) houses the statewide, internet-based catalog of distance learning courses, degree programs, and resources offered by Florida's public colleges and universities, and they have developed operational procedures and technical guidelines for the catalog that all institutions must follow. The statute governing this policy can be reviewed by visiting https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2021/1006.73.
FLVC has identified common program prerequisites for the degree program in Political Science. To obtain the most up-to-date, state-approved prerequisites for this degree, visit: https://cpm.flvc.org/programs/27/190.
Specific prerequisites are required for admission into the upper-division program and must be completed by the student at either a community college or a state university prior to being admitted to this program. Students may be admitted into the University without completing the prerequisites but may not be admitted into the program.
Requirements for a Major in Political Science
A political science major consists of 30 credit hours in political science with a grade of “C–” or better in each course, with the following restrictions:
At least 21 credit hours in courses numbered 3000 and above
At least 21 credit hours in an assembled classroom (as distinguished from individual credit for honors, directed studies, and internships)
At least 15 credit hours in an assembled classroom at Florida State University (may include courses taken through the study abroad program)
The political science program includes five subfields of study: American government (course prefix is POS), comparative politics (CPO), international relations (INR), public policy (PUP), and public administration (PAD). PAD courses are offered by the Askew School of Public Administration. ISS 2937 may count as a political science course if the instructor is a faculty member in political science.
Majors must take at least three introductory courses, including POS 1041 and two additional courses chosen from: CPO 2002, INR 2002, PUP 3002, and PAD 3003. NOTE: CPO 2002, INR 2002, POS 1041, and PUP 3002 are prerequisites to most of the upper-level courses in their respective subfields.
Majors also must take at least six credit hours in any three subfields. The introductory courses listed above can be counted toward this subfield requirement. Only those courses listed under the subfield headings below can be used toward that subfield (i.e. courses listed under the “Others” section, though having a course prefix of POS, do not count towards the American Government subfield). Majors may verify whether selected courses will count toward major and subfield requirements with the department's Academic Coordinator.
Note: Courses offered by other departments, even if they have the same prefix as approved political science courses listed below, cannot be counted towards major or minor requirements in political science. Contact the department's Academic Coordinator if clarification is required.
POS 3713, Understanding Political Science Research, is required of all majors. This course should be taken as early as possible in the student's academic program, and no later than the first term of junior year (prior to the completion of 75 credit hours).
A student who has been admitted to the Political Science major at FSU and received more than two grades below “C-” (D+, D, D-, F, U) in political science courses will not be permitted to graduate with a degree in the major.
Political science majors are required to have a minor or second major and to meet the requirements stipulated by that department or program. Public administration is not permitted as a minor because classes in that area count toward the political science major.
Honors in the Major
The department offers a program of honors in the major to encourage qualified juniors and seniors to undertake independent and original research as part of the undergraduate experience. For requirements and other information, see the “University Honors Office and Honor Societies” chapter of this General Bulletin.
Internships
An optional internship in political science is designed to allow students to earn up to six credit hours of credit in political science while also garnering practical experience in government and politics. The prerequisites for internship are: completion of at least 60 credit hours; completion of 15 credit hours in political science with a “C–” or better, including POS 3713; an overall grade point average of 3.0 or a GPA of 3.0 in political science courses; and permission from the department. Internship credits taken through the Askew School of Public Administration, International Affairs, or Interdisciplinary Social Sciences cannot be counted toward political science major or minor requirements.
For complete details, interested students should contact the department. The deadline to apply for internship credit through the department is the third day of classes of the term a student will intern. The department does not award retroactive credit for completed internships under any circumstances.
Requirements for a Minor in Political Science
Students majoring in other departments or programs may minor in political science with 15 credit hours of political science courses with grades of “C–” or better. A maximum of six credit hours of PAD and/or PHM prefixes combined may be counted toward the minor. At least nine credit hours must be at the 3000 level or above, and at least six of those must be earned at Florida State University.