University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2021-2022 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Political Science, B.A.


A degree in Political Science helps students think and act more effectively in our complex world, serving as a gateway to careers in policymaking, lobbying, campaign management, law, consulting, nonprofit management, risk analysis, the public sector, and more. The field analyzes politics and government in all their intricacies, considering broad questions of justice, war, peace, policymaking, culture, and economics. Across five distinct areas of study ranging from American politics to international relations—and through a broad range of internships and research opportunities—the program prepares students to develop and apply innovative approaches to local, national, and global challenges. Amid the program’s wide range of interests and approaches lies a common concern with all things “political,” including current issues, institutions, behavior, power, ethics, and public goods. This common interest in the public aspects of human society allows students to better consider the uses of power and persuasion, the ideas that shape social and political movements, and the nature of core governing institutions.

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

American Politics: The American politics subfield focuses on the political behavior of the public U.S. political institutions, and how they interact. Topics include public opinion, voting, campaigns and elections, political psychology, political identity, Congress, the presidency and bureaucracy, the courts, the media, state and local governments, and interest groups.

Comparative Politics. This subfield seeks to understand and explain socio-political, economic and historical outcomes through comparisons of socio-political, economic and cultural entities and forces between and within countries. Comparativists study political institutions, political organizations, political behavior across state and sub-state venues with a goal of understanding the how and why of politics in a variety of contexts.  

International Relations. The International Relations subfield covers interactions, cooperation, and conflict among states and between states and non-state actors. Topics of study include theories of international relations, conflict, foreign policy, national and international security, international law and organizations, global environmental policy, human rights, human security, and international political economy.

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

Public Administration and Policy. This area includes topics such as foundations of public service, public human resource management, organizational theory and behavior, public budgeting, public policy process, policy analysis, policy implementation, and a variety of substantive topics such as environmental policy, and energy politics and policy.

Student Learning Outcomes


Students will be able to:

  • demonstrate critical thinking, writing and communication skill.
  • demonstrate knowledge of government systems, electoral processes, and public policy processes and outcomes.
  • demonstrate knowledge of international systems, diversity and cross-cultural issues.

Contact Information


Department of Political Science
Thompson Building 221
(775) 784-4601
polisci@unr.edu

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

Transfer to the University of Nevada, Reno


Use the transfer agreement  and the degree planner (available by clicking Print degree planner icon at the top right of this page) to build your plan for graduation with your advisor. Course substitutions not identified on the transfer agreement require UNR advisor approval.

If a major-to-major transfer agreement is not available for your transfer institution, please check the General Core agreement  if available. If neither is available, access Transferology to assist in your planning.

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. Core General Education Requirements (24-27 units)


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

Students in this major must meet all Core Objectives (CO1 through CO14). Courses satisfying Core Objectives are designated (e.g., CO9) in General Catalog curricula and course descriptions.

A. Composition & Communication; Critical Analysis & Use of Information (3-6 units) - CO1, CO3


B. Quantitative Reasoning (3 units minimum) - CO2


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO2 courses .

C. Physical & Natural Phenomena (6 units minimum) - CO4, CO4L


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO4/CO4L courses .

D. Cultures, Societies, & Individuals (3 units) - CO6


E. Artistic Composition, Interpretation, & Expression (3 units) - CO7


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO7 courses .

F. History & Culture (6 units) - CO5


Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO5 courses CH 201  and CH 212  are recommended.

G. Constitution (0 units) - CO8


II. Additional Core Requirements (18 units maximum)


Students must take courses that satisfy the following Core Objectives. Some or all of these Core Objectives may be satisfied in the Major Requirements (Section IV).  Refer to the Core Curriculum  chapter in this catalog.

A. Science, Technology & Society - CO9


Choose one course. Refer to the Core Curriculum chapter for a list of approved CO9  courses.

B. Diversity & Equity - CO10


Choose one course.

C. Global Contexts - CO11


Choose one course:

D. Ethics - CO12


Choose one course:

E. Capstone Integration & Synthesis - CO13


Choose one course:

F. Application - CO14


Choose one course:

III. 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, 6 units that are outside the departments in which they major or minor, and that exclude courses taken to fulfill the Core General Education requirements (Core Objectives 1 through 8).

IV. Major Requirements (27 units)


Eighteen of the 27 units must be taken at the 300-400 level.

A. Required Courses (0 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 (3 units)
  • Comparative Government (3 units)
  • International Relations (3 units)

C. Political Science Electives (12 units)


V. Minor Requirements (18-21 units)


The Political Science department accepts any minor approved by the College of Liberal Arts.

VI. Electives (7-42 units)


VII. Recommended Schedule


A. First Year


Fall Semester (13 units)


Spring Semester (16-17 units)


B. Second Year


Fall Semester (15-16 units)


  • (3 units) CO5
  • Physical & Natural Phenomena (3-4 units) CO4 or CO4L

  • Foreign Language 211 (3 units)
  • College Breadth Requirements (3 units)
  • 100-200 Level PSC Major (3 units)

Spring Semester (15 units)


  • (3 units) CO5
  • Foreign Language 212 (3 units)
  • 100-200 Level Minor (3 units)
  • 100-200 Level PSC Major (3 units)
  • Diversity & Equity (3 units) CO10

C. Third Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


  • PSC Major (6 units)
  • College Breadth Requirement (3 units)
  • General Elective (6 units) 

Spring Semester (15 units)


  • 300-400 Level PSC Major (6 units)
  • 300-400 Level Minor (6 units)
  • Science, Technology & Society (3 units) CO9

D. Fourth Year


Fall Semester (15 units)


  • 300-400 Level PSC Major (6 units)
  • Capstone Integration & Synthesis (3 units) CO13
  • Minor (3 units)
  • 300-400 Level Minor (3 units)

Spring Semester (15 units)