Buffalo State University 57 courses 120 total credits
Political science is the study of government and politics. The major is divided into five areas: American government and politics, international politics, comparative government and politics, political theory, and public law. Students gain an understanding of government and politics through classes distributed among the five areas and a combination of directed research and experiential learning, e.g. participation in scholarly conferences and/or internships at the national, state or local level. Students are thus prepared for an array of career options in both the public and private sectors. The Bachelor of Arts program in Political Science enables students to concentrate their studies in Public Legal Studies or commit to a broader program of study under the General Political Science concentration.
| General Education 23 Requirements | 33 credits |
| Political Science Major Requirements | 39 credits |
| All College Electives | 48-51 credits |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 credits |
OR Public Legal Studies Concentration General Political Science Concentration Required Core Courses Complete ALL of the following Courses: Political Science Distribution 1. American Government and Politics 2. International Relations 3. Comparative Government and Politics 4. Political Theory 5.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 101 | Introduction to Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 102 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 203 | Political Analysis | 3 |
| PSC 204 | Political Statistics | 3 |
| PSC 399 | Research Skills | 3 |
| PSC 470 or PSC 488 | Senior Seminar or Internship | 3 |
| Total | 18 credits | |
Public Law Political Science Distribution - Select one course from four of the five distribution areas . American Government & Politics Select one course if American Government & Politics is one of the four political science distribution choices. Complete ANY of the following Courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 210 | The American Presidency | 3 |
| PSC 218 | African American Political Culture | 3 |
| PSC 225 | The Politics of Diversity and Justice | 3 |
| PSC 310 | American Political Parties | 3 |
| PSC 312 | Legislative Process | 3 |
| PSC 315 | State and Local Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 410 | Political Behavior and Public Opinion | 3 |
| Total | 12 credits | |
International Relations
Select one course if International Relations is one of the four political science distribution choices. Complete ANY of the following Courses:
Comparative Government and Politics
Select one course if Comparative Government and Politics is one of the four political science distribution choices. Complete ANY of the following Courses:
Political Theory
Select one course if Political Theory is one of the four political science distribution choices. Complete ANY of the following Courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 351 | History of Political Thought I | 3 |
| PSC 352 | History of Political Thought II | 3 |
| PSC 355 | American Political Thought | 3 |
| PSC 375 | Race, Sex, and Politics of Myth and Story | 3 |
Public Law
Select one course if Public Law is one of the four political science distribution choices. Complete ANY of the following Courses:
Political Science General Electives
Courses NOT used to fulfill Political Distribution Requirements may also be used as Political Science electives. Earn at least 9 credits from the following:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 215 | Urban Government | 3 |
| PSC 327 | Practical Politics | 3 |
| PSC 364 | American Public Policy | 3 |
| PSC 389 | Topics in Political Science | 3 |
| PSC 415 | Urban Public Policy | 3 |
| PSC 495 | Special Project | 1-3 |
| PSC 497 | Capstone Internship | 3-16 |
| PSC 499 | Independent Study | 1-12 |
| Total Political Science General Electives | 9 credits | |
Public Legal Studies Concentration Required Core Courses
Complete ALL of the following Courses: Political Science Distribution 1. American Government and Politics 2. International Relations/Comparative Gov't & Politics 3.
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 101 | Introduction to Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSC 102 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| PHI 103 or PHI 107 | Introduction to Logic or Introduction to Mathematical Logic | 3 |
| PSC 203 | Political Analysis | 3 |
| PSC 204 | Political Statistics | 3 |
| PSC 221 or PSC 250 | Judical Process and Politics or Introduction to Law | 3 |
| PHI 112 | Professional Ethics | 3 |
| PSC 317 or PSC 320 | U.S. Constitutional Law or U.S. Civil Liberties | 3 |
| PSC 399 | Research Skills | 3 |
| PSC 470 or PSC 488 | Senior Seminar or Internship | 3 |
| Total Public Legal Studies Concentration Required Core Courses | 30 credits | |
Political Theory & Philosophy Political Science Distribution - Select one course from each of the three distribution areas . American Government and Politics Complete ANY of the following Courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 312 | Legislative Process | 3 |
| PSC 321 | Civil Procedure | 3 |
| PSC 420 | Contemporary Constitutional Issues | 3 |
| PSC 421 | Discrimination and the U.S. Constitution | 3 |
| PSC 485 | Mock Trial | 1-3 |
| Total | 9 credits | |
International Relations/Comparative Gov't & Politics
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 302 | International Conflict and Peaceful Resolution | 3 |
| PSC 308 | International Organizations and International Law | 3 |
| PSC 344 | Comparative Democracy | 3 |
Political Theory & Philosophy
Complete ANY of the following Courses:
| Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PHI 301 | Justice: Liberty Vs. Equality | 3 |
| PHI 304 | Philosophy of Law | 3 |
| PHI 314 | Rights and Respect | 3 |
| PSC 351 | History of Political Thought I | 3 |
| PSC 355 | American Political Thought | 3 |
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