Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Political Science, (Accelerated B.A./M.A)


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Program objectives for a B.A. in Political Science are: (a) basic understanding of political institutions and processes in the United States and other countries; (b) basic understanding of the ways in which countries interact with one another, directly or through intermediary institutions; (c) basic understanding of the development of political thought; (d) able to apply basic political science methodologies to political science questions; (e) able to analyze and explain political processes and outcome; (f) able to interpret political attitudes, values, and beliefs; (g) have the critical thinking skills necessary for careers in government, business, law, or academia.

University General Education Program (41 hours)


See Graduation from the University  for the University General Education Program requirements.

College and Degree (B.A.) Requirements (6-9 hours)


The College and Bachelor of Arts requirements  are in addition to the University General Education Program requirements.

The Major (36 hours)


For the purposes of defining undergraduate requirements for the political science major and minor, the department employs four subfields, with the following courses in each:

Note:


Students must complete POLS 1030  and POLS 4101 .

Students must complete at least 6 hours in each of the four subfields listed above.

No more than 9 total hours of internship (POLS 4230 , POLS 4231 ), mock trial (POLS 4709 ), research and study abroad (POLS 4399 ), and independent study (POLS 4702 ) combined may be counted toward the 36 hours required for a major in Political Science. Of these 9 hours, no more than three hours of Administrative Internship (POLS 4231 ), and no more than six total hours in any combination of POLS 4709 , POLS 4399 , and POLS 4702  may be counted toward the major.

At least 15 hours in political science must be earned in residence at the University of Memphis.

NOTE: Students who have successfully completed an equivalent social statistics course prior to declaring a Political Science major are exempted from the requirement to take POLS 4101 , and must substitute another upper-division course in Political Science.

NOTE: The College offers Pre-Law advising for those interested in careers in law. Also, any major in Political Science may earn a second major in International Studies. Political Science courses in International Relations and Comparative Politics fulfill requirements for both the Political Science major and the interdisciplinary major in International Studies.

Accelerated B.A./M.A Program in Political Science


This program allows outstanding undergraduates to begin the coursework for the Master of Arts in Political Science during their senior year. Students are encouraged to begin planning to enter the Accelerated B.A./M.A. program early in their undergraduate career, in consultation with their advisor in the Department of Political Science.

Working with the undergraduate and graduate academic coordinators, undergraduates selected into this program begin a carefully tailored course of study which will allow them to complete their B.A. degree while they also begin the coursework toward their M.A.

To apply, students must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, and must submit two reference letters and a copy of their transcript to the Political Science department. Each applicant will complete an interview with the graduate academic coordinator in political science.

Students must also apply to the Graduate School for the accelerated B.A./M.A. program, which allows them to take graduate courses in political science. To continue in the program past the B.A., students must apply for full admission into the Graduate School and into the Political Science department’s M.A. program.

Only in ABM programs, up to 9 hours of graduate course work may be applied to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. However, any graduate coursework will not apply to undergraduate GPA.

Electives


Electives may be chosen to bring the total number of hours to 120.

Honors Program


The department offers an honors program to qualified majors who choose to pursue a more sophisticated knowledge of the discipline, a more rigorous level of analysis, and a deeper understanding of politics. Students who have completed 55 hours of course work (with at least 9 hours in Political Science), have an inclusive grade point average of at least 3.0 and a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25 in the major, or who can present equivalent qualifications, are invited to apply for admission to the program.

The program requires 18 hours of honors course work, 12 or more of which must be upper-division Political Science courses, and minimum final grade point averages of 3.00 overall, 3.25 in Political Science, and 3.25 in honors coursework. Honors students also have the option of completing a Senior Thesis in Political Science (POLS 4999 ). Those students who complete the program and the regular college requirements will be recognized at the commencement ceremony by having their degrees conferred “With Honors in Political Science.” Moreover, the student’s diploma and the record at the University of Memphis will reflect this distinction. Details of the program are available in the Political Science Office.

Typical 4-Year Political Science Sequence


Semester Totals 30-31 hrs


Sophomore Year


Semester Totals 32 hrs


Junior Year


  • UD elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
  • UD POLS (3)
  • UD POLS Comparative Politics (3)
  • UD POLS Amer. Gov. & Policy (3)
  • UD POLS International Relations (3)
  • UD POLS (3)
  • UD elective (3)
  • Elective (3)

Semester Totals 30 hrs


Senior Year


Semester Totals 28 hrs


Total Hours: 120-122


Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120


*Must satisfy University General Education Program Requirement

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