Political Science, Major - Liberal Arts

Liberal Arts (Code 420-201)

University Requirements

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)39
Liberal Education Core36
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total2.00 average
Resident2.00 average
Major2.00 average
Minor2.00 average
Certificate2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total30
Senior year23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence21
Certificate25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.
1

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

2

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATIONCredit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree creditmaximum 12
Major, Standardmaximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensivemaximum 2 courses
Minormaximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree creditmaximum ¼ of total
Major or minormaximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree creditmaximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, dramamaximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, dramamaximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-Systemno maximum
Other extension/correspondencemaximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFImaximum 32 credits

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTSa minimum of 36 credits
Knowledge Goal
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural SciencesTwo (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social SciencesTwo (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): HumanitiesTwo (2) learning experiences
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine ArtsOne (1) learning experience
Skills Goal
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral CommunicationTwo (2) learning experiences
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): MathematicsOne (1) learning experience
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): CreativityOne (1) learning experience
Responsibility Goal
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and InclusivityTwo (2) learning experiences
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global PerspectivesOne (1) learning experience
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental IssuesOne (1) learning experience
Integration Goal
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): IntegrationTwo (2) learning experiences
Service-Learning Goal
Service-Learning30 hours

College Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree (B.A./B.S.)

University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.

College Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 in the major, the minor, and the certificate. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the minor and the certificate are computed similarly.

Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements. A standard major (a minimum of 36 credits) must be supplemented by a minor (a minimum of 24 credits) or by a certificate (12 to 18 credits) to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program. No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major (60 or more credits) or with two majors of 36 or more credits each.

Certain degree programs, which include Comprehensive Majors, may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Acceptable academic program combinations are determined at the college level. A major and a minor or a major and certificate or two majors (if available) may not be elected in the same department or program, except in the approved combinations listed here.

College Credits. Earn at least 90 credits in courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); foreign language competency at the 102 level.  Foreign language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a foreign language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level foreign language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 / LANG 122 or CSD 103).

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); mathematics competency at the MATH 111, MATH 112 or MATH 113 level.  Mathematics competency can be met in one of three ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the student to enter MATH 114.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 113.  (3) Achieve a satisfactory score on the MATH 112 competency test.  This test may be attempted no more than two times.

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 420-201)

Thirty-six semester credits, including:
POLS 110American National Politics3
POLS 122Introduction to World Politics3
POLS 290Introduction to Political Analysis3
POLS 480Political Science Capstone3
At least one course in each of the four course groupings defined below

Note: MATH 246 or its equivalent must be completed as part of the Liberal Education Core requirements. Credits will not count toward the major.

Information for Political Science Majors and Minors

Political Science courses at the 200 level and above are classified into the following four course groupings:

American Politics
POLS 217Freedom of Speech3
POLS 301State and Local Politics3
POLS 305Survey of U.S. Constitutional Principles3
POLS 338Judicial Politics3
POLS 340Congress and the Presidency3
POLS 341Political Parties, Elections, and Voting3
POLS 342Public Opinion and Political Behavior3
POLS 343Public Administration3
POLS 344Media and Politics3
POLS 345Film and Politics3
POLS 346Public Policy in the United States3
POLS 350Group and Minority Politics3
POLS 353Afro-American Politics3
POLS 403U.S. Constitutional Principles - Powers of Government3
POLS 404U.S. Constitutional Principles - Civil Liberties3
POLS 405U.S. Constitutional Principles - Due Process and Criminal Law3
POLS 406U.S. Constitutional Principles - Equality and Privacy3
POLS/AIS 250American Indian Politics3
POLS/WGSS 351Women and Politics3
International Relations
POLS 325Model United Nations3
POLS 330U.S. Foreign Policy3
POLS 331International Organization and Law3
POLS 332International Conflict3
POLS 334International Political Economy3
POLS 335International Relations Theory3
POLS 336Arab-Israeli Conflict3
Comparative Government
POLS 260Introduction to Comparative Politics3
POLS 321Politics of the Middle East3
POLS 322Politics of Russia3
POLS 323Politics of Eastern Europe3
POLS 324Politics of Asia3
POLS 327Politics of Continental Europe3
POLS 329Political Violence3
POLS/WGSS 352Gender and Politics in Global Perspective3
POLS 390Culture and Politics3
POLS/LAS 319Politics of Latin America3
Political Theory
POLS 309Classical Political Thought3
POLS 310Modern Political Thought3
POLS 311Contemporary Political Thought3
POLS 312American Political Thought3
POLS 314The Idea of Tolerance in the Western Political Tradition3

NOTE: All majors should take POLS 290 before taking any 300 level courses.

Students are strongly encouraged to develop a 15-credit topical theme as a part of their major course of study.  Recommended themes include:

American Political Development Theme

Core:  POLS 305 and POLS 312

Electives:  POLS 250/AIS 250, POLS 301, POLS 330, POLS 338, POLS 340, POLS 341, POLS 342, POLS 343, POLS 344, POLS 346, POLS 350, POLS 351, POLS 403

Constitutional Studies Theme

Core:  POLS 305 and at least two of the following:  POLS 403, POLS 404, POLS 405, POLS 406

Electives:  POLS 301, POLS 310, POLS 312, POLS 330, POLS 338, POLS 340, POLS 350, POLS 351, POLS 353

Electoral Politics Theme

Core:  POLS 341 and POLS 260

Electives:  POLS 301, POLS 310, POLS 312, POLS 321, POLS 322, POLS 327, POLS 340, POLS 342, POLS 344, POLS 350, POLS 404 

Global Conflict Resolution Theme

Core:  POLS 332 and POLS 335

Electives:  POLS 311, POLS 321, POLS 323, POLS 325, POLS 327, POLS 330, POLS 331, POLS 334, POLS 336

Global Diversity Theme

Core:  POLS 260 and POLS 390

Electives:  POLS 319, POLS 321, POLS 322, POLS 324, POLS 325, POLS 327, POLS 336

Global Human Rights Theme

Core:  POLS 332

Electives:  POLS 260, POLS 309, POLS 311, POLS 319, POLS 321, POLS 322, POLS 324, POLS 325, POLS 327, POLS 331, POLS 334, POLS 336, POLS 350

Representation & Action Theme

Core:  POLS 311 and POLS 325

Electives:  POLS 301, POLS 331, POLS 340, POLS 341, POLS 342, POLS 344, POLS 346, POLS 350, POLS 351, POLS 353, POLS 390, POLS 404

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

  • Communication Skills: Political Science students will be able to write and speak effectively.
  • Research Skills: Political Science students will be able to construct research questions and use appropriate sources and methods to answer them.  
  • Knowledge of American Politics: Political Science students will analyze political behavior, institutions, and law or policy.
  • Knowledge of Political Theory: Political Science students will analyze core intellectual traditions in political thought and apply to political issues.
  • Knowledge of International Relations: Political Science students will analyze the behavior of international actors and the nature of their interactions.
  • Knowledge of Comparative Politics: Political Science students will analyze the political systems of states.
  • Civic Responsibility: Political Science students will demonstrate sense of responsibility necessary to become constructive global citizens.
  • Integration: Political Science students will connect academic knowledge to their own experiences and make connections across disciplines.

Sample Degree Plan

Political Science, Major - Liberal Arts, B.A. 

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2023-2024 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
POLS 110American National Politics (LE-K2, LE-R3)3
WRIT 114Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)5
or WRIT 116 Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
MATH 246Elementary Statistics (LE-S2)4
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (K3) Humanities3
LE Option: Integration (I1)3
POLS 122Introduction to World Politics (LE-K2, LE-R2)3
Elective3
LE Option: Knowledge 3 (K3) Humanities3
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (K1L) Natural Sciences with Lab4
Elective3
TOTAL34
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
POLS 290Introduction to Political Analysis (LE-S3)3
Foreign Language: 101 Level (LE-S1)4
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (K1) Natural Sciences3
2nd Concentration 3
2nd Concentration 3
POLS: Intl. Relations Elective3
Foreign Language: 102 Level (LE-S1)4
POLS: American Politics Elective3
LE Option: Knowledge 4 (K4) Fine Arts3
2nd Concentration 3
TOTAL32
THIRD YEAR - Apply for Admission to Major
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
POLS: Comparative Govt. Elective 3
POLS: Political Theory Elective 3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity3
2nd Concentration 3
POLS: Theme Elective 3
POLS: Theme Elective 3
POLS: Theme Elective 3
LE Option: Responsibility 1 (R1) Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity3
2nd Concentration 3
2nd Concentration 3
TOTAL30
FOURTH YEAR
SECOND SEMESTER
POLS 480Political Science Capstone (LE-I1)3
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
POLS: Theme Elective 3
POLS: Theme Elective 3
2nd Concentration 3
2nd Concentration 3
Elective3
Elective3
LE Option3
Elective3
Elective3
TOTAL27
Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

Note: All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).

Recommended Topical Themes
Students are strongly encouraged to develop a 15-credit topical theme as a part of their major course of study.  Recommended themes include:

American Political Development Theme
Core: POLS 305 and POLS 312
Electives: POLS 250/AIS 250, POLS 301, POLS 330, POLS 338, POLS 340, POLS 341, POLS 342, POLS 343, POLS 344, POLS 346, POLS 350, POLS 351, POLS 403

Constitutional Studies Theme
Core: POLS 305 and at least two of the following: POLS 403, POLS 404, POLS 405, POLS 406
Electives: POLS 301, POLS 310, POLS 312, POLS 330, POLS 338, POLS 340, POLS 350, POLS 351, POLS 353

Electoral Politics Theme
Core: POLS 341 and POLS 260
Electives: POLS 301, POLS 310, POLS 312, POLS 321, POLS 322, POLS 327, POLS 340, POLS 342, POLS 344, POLS 350, POLS 404

Global Conflict Resolution Theme
Core: POLS 332 and POLS 335
Electives: POLS 311, POLS 321, POLS 323, POLS 325, POLS 327, POLS 330, POLS 331, POLS 334, POLS 336

Global Diversity Theme
Core: POLS 260 and POLS 390
Electives: POLS 319, POLS 321, POLS 322, POLS 324, POLS 325, POLS 327, POLS 336

Global Human Rights Theme
Core: POLS 332
Electives: POLS 260, POLS 309, POLS 311, POLS 319, POLS 321, POLS 322, POLS 324, POLS 325, POLS 327, POLS 331, POLS 334, POLS 336, POLS 350

Representation & Action Theme
Core: POLS 311 and POLS 325
Electives: POLS 301, POLS 331, POLS 340, POLS 341, POLS 342, POLS 344, POLS 346, POLS 350, POLS 351, POLS 353, POLS 390, POLS 404

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIGH IMPACT PRACTICES (HIPs)
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire encourages all students to participate in High Impact Practices.  The following information identifies any specific recommendations that faculty in this major have concerning which HIPs might be most beneficial to students, and any recommendations about when those HIPs best fit into the degree plan. Students should also consult their faculty advisor for information on HIPs. There are many additional high impact opportunities available. Talk to your academic advisor for more information about incorporating HIPs like Study AbroadIntercultural ImmersionInternship, and/or  Student/Faculty Collaborative Research into your time at UW-Eau Claire.

The Political Science Department encourages our majors to consider all of the available High Impact Practices. The most common ones among our majors are internships, study abroad programs, and collaborative research opportunities.

Liberal Education (LE) Core Guidance

Liberal Education Core (LE Core) 

The LE Core comprises 17 learning experiences across 11 learning outcomes. Students must complete a minimum of 36 credits in courses approved for the LE Core. 

  • K1 – Natural Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K2 – Social Sciences; two experiences (one lab science experience is required in K1 or K2). 

  • K3 – Humanities; two experiences. 

  • K4 – Fine Arts; one experience. 

  • S1 – Written and Oral Communication; two experiences (one experience must satisfy the University writing requirement). 

  • S2 – Mathematics; one experience (must satisfy the University math competency requirement). 

  • S3 – Creativity; one experience (can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • R1 – Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity; two experiences (one experience must meet the UW System Design for Diversity (DD) requirement). 

  • R2 – Global Perspectives; one experience. 

  • R3 – Civic and Environmental Issues; one experience. 

  • I1 – Integration; two experiences (one experience can be fulfilled in a student’s major). 

  • SL—Service Learning; 30 hours 

Additional LE Core Information 

  • Most LE Core learning experiences are course based, and many courses meet more than one learning outcome (e.g., K3 and R2 or K1 and R3). 

  • Some learning experiences can also be met outside of a traditional course (e.g., undergraduate research (S3), study abroad (I1)). 

  • S1 – An English placement score that fulfills the University writing requirement fulfills one S1 experience. 

  • S1 – A foreign Language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 102 level satisfies one S1 experience. 

  • S1, R2 – A foreign language placement score that qualifies the student to enter the 202 level satisfies one experience in S1 and the R2 experience. 

  • S2 – A math placement score that qualifies the student to enter Math 111, 112, 113 or 114 fulfills the S2 experience. 

  • S3 – Completion of two credits from any approved music ensemble fulfills the S3 experience. 

  • I1 – Any semester long study abroad program can fulfill one I1 experience.