University General Course Catalog 2015-2016 
    
    Apr 19, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2015-2016 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Political Science, B.A.


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Description


The political science curriculum at the University of Nevada, Reno is divided into five fields:

American Politics

The American politics area includes all facets of the American political system: elections, parties, the presidency, legislatures, the courts, the media, bureaucracy, state and local government, public administration and interest groups. American politics courses also consider the effects of different institutional arrangements and decision rules.

Comparative Politics

The comparative politics area includes general comparative analysis of national political systems as well as comparative topics such as women in politics, revolution, terrorism, human rights and political development. It also includes the study of politics in specific areas: Western Europe, the former Soviet Union, Latin America, the Middle East, South Asia, Japan and China.

International Relations 

The international relations area covers interaction, cooperation and conflict among nations. It includes theories of international relations, great power politics, foreign policy, defense and national security, international law and organizations, global environmental policy, human rights and international political economy.

Political Theory

The political theory area includes political philosophy and its history, contemporary political ideologies, democratic theory, political ethics and evaluation.

Public Administration and Policy

There are several courses in methodology that deal with research methods and techniques for data gathering and analysis.

Contact Information


236 Mack Social Science
(775) 784-4601

College of Liberal Arts Advising http://www.unr.edu/liberal-arts/student-resources/academic-advising

Graduation Requirements


Total Units 120
Cumulative GPA 2.0
University GPA 2.0
Major GPA 2.0
Residency Requirement 30 Upper-Division Units at UNR
Major Residency Requirement 15 Upper-Division Units in the major at UNR
Upper-Division Requirement 42 Upper-Division Units
Half Program Units/4 Year Institution 60 Units

 

I. University Core Curriculum Requirements (36-45 units)


NOTE: Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter of this catalog for information regarding the “Core English and Math Completion Policy”.

A. English (3-8 units)


Refer to the “English” section of the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

B. Mathematics (3-5 units)


Refer to the “Mathematics” section of the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

C. Natural Sciences (6-8 units)


Refer to the “Natural Sciences” section of the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

D. Social Sciences (3 units)


Refer to the “Social Sciences” section of the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

E. Fine Arts (3 units)


Refer to the “Fine Arts” section of the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

F. Core Humanities (9 units)


Refer to the “Core Humanities” section of the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

G. Capstone Courses (6 units)


Refer to the “Capstone” section of the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

H. Diversity (3 units)


Refer to the “Diversity” section of the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

II. Additional College Requirements (6-20 units)


Units may vary depending on initial course placement in foreign language coursework.

A. Foreign Language (0-14 units)


Successful completion of the foreign language requirement may be accomplished through one of four options:

  1. complete a fourth semester college course in a foreign language or in American Sign Language;
  2. demonstrate proficiency through placement examination or other means determined by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, including minimum CBAPE, SAT II, or IB scores;
  3. show transcript evidence of successful completion of four years of high school coursework in the same foreign language; or
  4. participate in a Studies Abroad program pre-approved by the college to meet the foreign language requirement.

B. College Breadth Requirement (6 units)


Students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree in the college shall be required to take, within the College of Liberal Arts, two courses that are outside the departments in which they major or minor, and that exclude courses taken to fulfill Core Curriculum requirements.

III. Major Requirements (30 units)


Eighteen of the 30 units must be taken at the 300-400 level.

A. Required Courses (3 units)


B. One Political Science course from each of the following five fields: (15 units)


  • American Government (3 units)
  • Public Administration and Public Policy (3 units)
  • Political Theory–course must be 300-400-level (3 units)
  • Comparative Government (3 units)
  • International Relations (3 units)

C. Political Science Electives (12 units)


IV. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)


Students must complete 18-21 units in a minor. The Political Science department accepts any minor approved by the College of Liberal Arts.

V. Electives (3-30 units)


VI. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


First Semester (16 units)


  • Core Curriculum English* (3 units)
  • Core Curriculum Math* (3 units)
  • Foreign Language 111 (4 units)
  • Core Curriculum Social Science (3 units)

Second Semester (16-17 units)


  • Core Curriculum Natural Science A (3-4 units)
  • Foreign Language 112 (4 units)
  • Core Curriculum Fine Arts (3 units)

B. Second Year


First Semester (15-16 units)


  • Core Curriculum Natural Science (3-4 units)
  • Foreign Language 211 (3 units)
  • College Breadth Requirements (3 units)
  • PSC Major Course (100-200 level) (3 units)

Second Semester (15 units)


  • Foreign Language 212 (3 units)
  • Minor (100-200 level) (3 units)
  • PSC Major Course (100-200 level) (3 units)
  • Core Curriculum Diversity (3 units)

C. Third Year


First Semester (15 units)


  • PSC Major Courses (6 units)
  • College Breadth Requirement (3 units)

Second Semester (13-15 units)


  • PSC Major Courses (300-400 level) (6 units)
  • Minor Courses (300-400 level) (6 units)
  • General Elective (1-3 units)

D. Fourth Year


First Semester (15 units)


  • PSC Major Courses (300-400 level) (6 units)
  • Core Curriculum Capstone (major) (3 units)
  • Minor (3 units)
  • Minor (300-400 level) (3 units)

Second Semester (13 units)


  • Core Curriculum Capstone (3 units)
  • Minor (300-400 level) (3 units)
  • General Electives (7 units)

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