Nov 24, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Political Science Major


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Political science is a dynamic and wide-ranging discipline that explores governmental institutions, political processes, and political philosophy throughout history and around the world. Political scientists specifically study the formation and execution of policy and law, elections and voting, the nature of communities, as well as the way individuals and nations work together to solve problems, resolve disputes, and live in peace. Political scientists also consider questions of justice, law, power, liberty, equality, war, authority, rights, leadership, collective action, social choice, responsibility, and much more.

Students majoring in political science have the opportunity to cultivate an array of broadly transferable skills in writing, research, public speaking, leadership, diplomacy, strategic decision-making, interpersonal communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and analysis. Political science, then, is a popular major for those interested in careers in law, politics, journalism, public administration, higher education, foreign service, government, and the nonprofit sector. Many political scientists are also found in business management, sales, marketing, publishing, engineering, research and development, healthcare, insurance, and more.

Heidelberg University’s program focuses on the interdisciplinary study of political reality, drawing especially on the social sciences and humanities. We also strongly encourage students to apply their classroom experience through internships in Washington, DC, in Ohio, or anywhere in the world.

Major Requirements


Core Courses (18 semester hours):


HIS and POL double majors may choose HIS 405  or POL 409  as their capstone experience.

International Studies Concentration (18 semester hours):


Language Requirement: Complete one (1) language course at the 200-level or above in a second language or demonstrate proficiency in a second language through a method determined by, and acceptable to, the Department.

Foundational Courses (9 semester hours):


Additional Courses (9 semester hours):


Choose three (3) or four (4) of the following - must be three (3) different prefixes:

International Cross-Cultural Experience


Must take part in an international or cross-cultural experience that is approved in advanced by the Department and meets the following conditions:

  1. Students who have lived primarily in the United States take part in an academic program or internship at least one (1) week in duration, and in a country other than the United States. Students are strongly encouraged to spend a semester or full academic year abroad.
  2. Students who have lived primarily in countries other than the United States take part in an on or off-campus academic experience or internship with three (3) or more credit hours. Acceptable options include the Washington Seminar or Reagan Institute programs, a study abroad program, or an internship in the United States. Students are strongly encouraged, where possible, to pursue experiential and internship opportunities worth more than three (3) credit hours.

Current university programs that fulfill this requirement include the “Border Trip,” (NDI 345 ), Belize (BIO 375 ), the Heidelberg@Heidelberg Summer Program in German and European Studies, Oxford, Seville, Alicante, Cuernavaca, and any short-term Heidelberg study trips approved by the Department. Non-Heidelberg academic programs may be accepted, but must be approved in advance by the Department. Academic travel undertaken prior to admission to Heidelberg will not be accepted as a fulfillment of this requirement.

Note:


With Department approval, independent studies and internships (POL 370 , POL 401 , and POL 402 ), as well as coursework completed while studying abroad or in Washington, DC (via, for example, the Washington Semester or Reagan Institute), can count toward a concentration.

American Politics and Government Concentration (18 semester hours):


Choose six (6) of the following courses (at least two of which must have a POL prefix):

Note:


With Department approval, independent studies and internships (POL 370 , POL 401 , and POL 402 ), as well as coursework completed while studying abroad or in Washington, DC (via, for example, the Washington Semester or Reagan Institute), can count toward a concentration.

Self-Designed Concentration (18 semester hours):


American Politics and Government Courses:


Choose three (3) of the following American Politics and Government courses:

Global Politics Courses:


Choose three (3) of the following Global Politics courses:

Note:


With Department approval, independent studies and internships (POL 370 , POL 401 , and POL 402 ), as well as coursework completed while studying abroad or in Washington, DC (via, for example, the Washington Semester or Reagan Institute), can count toward a concentration.

Students are strongly encouraged, but not required, to utilize internships and independent study opportunities in the U.S. and abroad to fulfill elective credits.

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