Earn the skills employers are looking for
Courses in political science will expand your mind and help you gain the skills employers are looking for. Political science majors need to take 33 hours of political science courses, with a grade of C or better in each. Those courses need to fit the following criteria:
Required courses (15 hours)
- POLS-Y103: Introduction to American Politics (3 hours)
- POLS-Y205: Elements of Political Analysis (3 hours). To enroll you will need to have taken or placed out of Math 11100 or higher.
- POLS-Y215: Introduction to Political Theory (3 hours) or POLS-Y217: Introduction to Comparative Politics or POLS-Y219: Introduction to International Relations (3 hours). You must take two of these three courses.
- POLS-Y490: Senior Seminar (3 hours). Pre-requisites: POLS-Y205 and senior standing.
Electives (18 hours)
- Eighteen credit hours of major electives, at least 15 of which must be at the 300- or 400-level. No more than three hours of POLS-P courses can be used as electives.
Recommended Curriculum
In order to provide students with guidance that will both enhance their academic experience and avoid problems meeting requirements, the Department of Political Science has developed the following suggested curriculum for taking Political Science courses, as a major.
Freshman year
- POLS-Y103: Introduction to American Politics (3 hours)
- ENG-W131: Elementary Composition I (3 hours)
- ENG-W270: Elementary Composition II (3 hours)
- MATH-M118: Finite Mathematics (3hours)
- POLS-Y205: Elements of Political Analysis, or POLS-Y215: Introduction to Political Theory (3 hours)
Sophomore year
- POLS-Y205: Elements of Political Analysis, or POLS-Y215: Introduction to Political Theory (3 hours)
- POLS-Y217: Introduction to Comparative Politics or POLS-Y219: Introduction to International Relations (3 hours)
Junior year
- At least 9 credits of upper-division political science courses
Senior year
- At least 12 credits of political science courses, including POLS-Y490: Senior Seminar (3 hours)
Important Note - POLS-Y101: Introduction to Political Science is not recommended for majors. If you take this course, your choice of electives in your Junior and Senior years will be limited.
Transfer Students
Not all previous courses meet the required departmental guidelines. It is strongly recommended that transfer students meet with Scott Wallace, Undergraduate Faculty Mentor, in order to avoid conflicts and missing important courses, which may delay your graduation.
If you find that your previous courses do not meet the 200-level equivalency, you should complete the 200-level courses as early as possible after transferring to IU Indianapolis. Be advised, that it is assumed by instructors of 300/400-level courses that you have completed ENG-W270, and know how to write a research paper. All 300/400-level courses have a term research paper as a requirement.
It is required that you complete 26 credit hours at IU Indianapolis and you must take your senior seminar, POLS-Y490, even if you think you have the equivalent from another university. Please contact Scott Wallace, Undergraduate Faculty Mentor, Cavanaugh Hall 503G, 317-278 5733, if you have any questions.
Degree Map
To help you guide your four-year college journey, consult your degree map for a snapshot of classes you will be taking to finish your degree.
