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.

POL 125 - Introduction to Politics and Government 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 200 - Introduction to Political Philosophy 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 221 - Global Politics 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 227 - American National Government 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 344 - Research Methods 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 409 - Seminar: Historical and/or Political Research and Interpretation 3 Credit Hour(s) (Senior 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):

HIS 105 - World Civilizations I 3 Credit Hour(s) or
HIS 106 - World Civilizations II 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECO 251 - Principles of Microeconomics 3 Credit Hour(s) or
ECO 252 - Principles of Macroeconomics 3 Credit Hour(s)
ANT 200 - Cultural Anthropology 3 Credit Hour(s) or
SOC 100 - Introductory Sociology 3 Credit Hour(s)

Additional Courses (9 semester hours):

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

POL 240 - African Politics 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 250 - Latin American Politics 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 263 - European Politics 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 293 - Introduction to Canada 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 310 - Politics and History of East Asia 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 324 - American Foreign Policy 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 361 - Model United Nations I 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 362 - Model United Nations II 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 376 - Global Issues I: War and Peace 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 377 - Global Issues II: Human Rights and Social Justice 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 379 - Global Issues: Political Development 3 Credit Hour(s)
HIS 332 - Politics and History of the Middle East (W)(S)(G) 3 Credit Hour(s)
HIS 333 - Politics and History of East Asia 3 Credit Hour(s)
HIS 335 - History of Africa 3 Credit Hour(s)
HIS 352 - Latin American History 3 Credit Hour(s)
HIS 357 - History of England 3 Credit Hour(s)
HIS 359 - History of Germany 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECO 352 - International Economics 3 Credit Hour(s)
ECO 364
MUS 107 - History and Literature of Classical Music 2 Credit Hour(s)
MUS 213 - World Music 2 Credit Hour(s)
MUS 246 - History and Literature of the Romantic and Twentieth Century Periods 3 Credit Hour(s)
MUS 247 - History and Literature of the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque Periods 3 Credit Hour(s)
REL 204 - Religions of the World 3 Credit Hour(s)
NDI 345 - Service Learning on the US/Mexico Border 2 Credit Hour(s)
ENS 101 - Introduction to Environmental Science 3 Credit Hour(s)
GEO 201 - Environmental Geology 3 Credit Hour(s)
BIO 375 - Caribbean Biogeography 1 Credit Hour(s)

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:

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.
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):

POL 237 - Local US Government 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 304 - Congress 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 320 - The American Presidency 3 Credit Hour(s) (may only take POL 320 or HIS 320 but not both)
POL 322 - Parties, Interest Groups and Elections 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 323 - Political Culture and Behavior 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 333 - Constitutional Law: Power and Structure 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 334 - Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 345 - The Supreme Court and Judicial Process 3 Credit Hour(s)
HIS 320 - The American Presidency 3 Credit Hour(s) (cannot also take POL 320 )
REL 210 - Religion and Politics in America 3 Credit Hour(s)
CRM 220 - Policing and Law Enforcement 3 Credit Hour(s)
ENS 361 - Environmental Law and Politics 3 Credit Hour(s)
SOC 230 - Contemporary US Social Issues 3 Credit Hour(s)

Note:

Self-Designed Concentration (18 semester hours):

American Politics and Government Courses:

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

POL 237 - Local US Government 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 304 - Congress 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 320 - The American Presidency 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 322 - Parties, Interest Groups and Elections 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 323 - Political Culture and Behavior 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 333 - Constitutional Law: Power and Structure 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 334 - Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 345 - The Supreme Court and Judicial Process 3 Credit Hour(s)
REL 210 - Religion and Politics in America 3 Credit Hour(s)
CRM 220 - Policing and Law Enforcement 3 Credit Hour(s)
ENS 361 - Environmental Law and Politics 3 Credit Hour(s)
SOC 230 - Contemporary US Social Issues 3 Credit Hour(s)

Global Politics Courses:

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

POL 240 - African Politics 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 250 - Latin American Politics 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 263 - European Politics 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 293 - Introduction to Canada 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 310 - Politics and History of East Asia 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 324 - American Foreign Policy 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 361 - Model United Nations I 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 362 - Model United Nations II 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 376 - Global Issues I: War and Peace 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 377 - Global Issues II: Human Rights and Social Justice 3 Credit Hour(s)
POL 379 - Global Issues: Political Development 3 Credit Hour(s)

Note:

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