In addition to the University Core Curriculum listed in the
Undergraduate Catalog, below are the required courses that you must take in order to earn a bachelor’s degree in
political science from Ball State. For more information or course descriptions, view the
Undergraduate Catalog or visit your advisor.
You are expected to maintain at least a 2.0 grade point average in departmental course work. As a senior, you have three options for completing the required capstone course: senior thesis, research seminar, or
internship.
Required courses for all options:
| POLS 130 |
Amer Nat Gov |
3 |
| POLS 210 |
Pol Sci Res |
3 |
It is recommended that you complete the above two courses during your freshman year or the first semester of your sophomore year. Option 1 - Political Science
Choose 15 credit hours from:
| POLS 237 |
Stat Loc Pol |
3 |
| POLS 280 |
Compar Systm |
3 |
| POLS 293 |
Intl Relatns |
3 |
| POLS 312 |
Early W Thot |
3 |
| or POLS 313 |
Mod Wst Thot |
3 |
| POLS 342 |
Publc Policy |
3 |
| POLS 350 |
Pub Administ |
3 |
Choose 3 credit hours from senior capstone:
| POLS 369 |
Prof Exp |
3-6 |
| POLS 404 |
Senior Thes |
3 |
| POLS 479 |
Pract Exp |
3-6 |
| POLS 499 |
Senior Sem |
3 |
12 credit hours from POLS (minimum of 9 credit hours in 300- and 400-level courses excluding 312, 313, 342, 350)3 credit hours from passing one major Modern or Classical Language course at the 200-level or above.
Total: 39 credit hours
Option 2 - Economics Option
Choose 15 credit hours from:
| POLS 237 |
Stat Loc Pol |
3 |
| POLS 280 |
Compar Systm |
3 |
| POLS 293 |
Intl Relatns |
3 |
| POLS 312 |
Early W Thot |
3 |
| or POLS 313 |
Mod Wst Thot |
3 |
| POLS 342 |
Publc Policy |
3 |
| POLS 350 |
Pub Administ |
3 |
Choose 3 credit hours from senior capstone:
| POLS 369 |
Prof Exp |
3-6 |
| POLS 404 |
Senior Thes |
3 |
| POLS 479 |
Pract Exp |
3-6 |
| POLS 499 |
Senior Sem |
3 |
6 credit hours from any 300- and 400-level political science electives (excluding 312, 313, 342, 350) Choose 6 credit hours from:
| ECON 332 |
Labr Rel Law |
3 |
| ECON 345 |
Gov Budgets |
3 |
| ECON 346 |
Law Econ |
3 |
| ECON 370 |
Indust Organ |
3 |
3 credit hours from passing one major Modern or Classical Language course at the 200-level or above. Total: 39 credit hours A double major in political science and economics may be more appropriate for pre-law students. See economics,
liberal arts option, for total requirements in this program.
Option 3: International Studies
Choose 15 credit hours from:
| POLS 280 |
Compar Systm |
3 |
| POLS 281 |
Prob Em Nats |
3 |
| POLS 290 |
Am Fr Policy |
3 |
| POLS 293 |
Intl Relatns |
3 |
| POLS 312 |
Early W Thot |
3 |
| or POLS 313 |
Mod Wst Thot |
3 |
| POLS 345 |
Nat Def Poly |
3 |
Choose 12 credit hours from:
| POLS 382 |
Westn Europe |
3 |
| POLS 384 |
Brit Gov Pol |
3 |
| POLS 385 |
Euro Union |
3 |
| POLS 386 |
Pol Rus |
3 |
| POLS 392 |
Un Intl Org |
3 |
| POLS 394 |
Int Rln Asia |
3 |
| POLS 395 |
Pol Glo Econ |
3 |
| POLS 488 |
Gv Pol China |
3 |
| POLS 490 |
Intrnatl Law |
3 |
| POLS 493 |
Wrld Politcs |
3 |
| POLS 494 |
Pol Terror |
3 |
| POLS 495 |
F Pol China |
3 |
Choose 3 credit hours from senior capstone:
| POLS 369 |
Prof Exp |
3-6 |
| or EURO 369 |
Prof Exp |
3 |
| POLS 404 |
Senior Thes |
3 |
| POLS 479 |
Pract Exp |
3-6 |
| or EURO 479 |
Pract Exp |
3 |
| POLS 499 |
Senior Sem |
3 |
3 credit hours from passing one major Modern or Classical Language course at the 200-level or above.
Total: 39 credit hours