Liberal Arts (Code 420-201)

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1		120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)		39
Core General Education		10 courses, 36 credits
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total		2.00 average
Resident		2.00 average
Major		2.00 average
Minor		2.00 average
Certificate		2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total		30
Senior year		23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence		12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence		21
Certificate		25 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 Universities 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.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION		Credit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree credit		maximum 12
Major, Standard		maximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensive		maximum 2 courses
Minor		maximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree credit		maximum ¼ of total
Major or minor		maximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree credit		maximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184		maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, drama		maximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, drama		maximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-System		no maximum
Other extension/correspondence		maximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFI		maximum 32 credits

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
CGER Categories
Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning (MQR)		4 credit hours, 1 course min
Includes University Math Requirement 1
Communication & Literacy (CL)		8 credit hours, 2 course min (including CL-W)
Includes University Writing Requirement (CL-W) 2
Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW/NSWL)		6 credit hours, 1 course min (NSW-Lab required)
Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Humanities & Arts (HA)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
Civics & Perspectives (CP)		6 credit hours, 2 course min
CGER Totals 3
Credits		minimum 36 credits
Courses		minimum 10 courses

¹

University Mathematics Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Mathematics Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing an approved university-level mathematics course (MQR) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the UW Math Placement Test
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement Calculus or Advanced Placement Statistics exams
• achieving a suitable score on a Credit by Examination administered by the Department of Mathematics.   

²

University Writing Requirement:

Students satisfy the University Writing Requirement in one of four ways:

• completing a Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing course (WRIT 102, WRIT 114, WRIT 116, WRIT 118, or WRIT 120) with a grade of C (not C-) or above
• achieving a suitable score on the English Placement Test (WPT ENGL)
• achieving a suitable score on an exam such as the Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition or Advanced Placement English Language and Composition exams
• achieving a suitable score on the University Writing Program Portfolio.

³

Completion via Placement Tests

• Writing: If the CL-W subcategory is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Communication and Literacy requirement will be reduced from 8 credits (2 courses) to 3 credits (1 course).
• Mathematics: If the University Math Requirement is satisfied through a placement test, the CGER Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning requirement will be considered fully met, replacing the 4-credit (1 course) requirement.
• Students must still complete 36 credits across 10 courses, with any remaining credits or courses eligible to be taken from any CGER category.

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 Core General Education Requirements); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); second language competency at the 102 level.  Second language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Demonstrate a level of second language competency that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a second language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level second language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 or SLHS 103).

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

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Core General Education Requirements); 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)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Thirty-six semester credits, including:
POLS 110	American National Politics	3
POLS 122	Introduction to World Politics	3
POLS 290	Introduction to Political Analysis	3
POLS 480	Political Science Capstone	3
At least one course in American politics, one course in political theory, and two courses in global politics.

Note: MATH 246, MATH 247, or the equivalent must be completed. 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 three course groupings:

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
American Politics
POLS 217	Freedom of Speech	3
POLS/AIS 250	American Indian Politics	3
POLS 301	State and Local Politics	3
POLS 305	Survey of U.S. Constitutional Principles	3
POLS 338	Judicial Politics	3
POLS 340	Congress and the Presidency	3
POLS 341	Political Parties, Elections, and Voting	3
POLS 342	Political Psychology	3
POLS 343	Public Administration	3
POLS 344	Media and Politics	3
POLS 345	Film and Politics	3
POLS 346	Public Policy in the United States	3
POLS 350	Group and Minority Politics	3
POLS/WGSS 351	Women and Politics	3
POLS 353	Afro-American Politics	3
POLS 354	Identity and Discrimination in Politics	3
POLS 368	The Politics of Conspiracy Theories	3
POLS 370	Washington DC Policy Seminar	3
POLS 403	U.S. Constitutional Principles - Powers of Government	3
POLS 404	U.S. Constitutional Principles - Civil Liberties	3
POLS 405	U.S. Constitutional Principles - Due Process and Criminal Law	3
POLS 406	U.S. Constitutional Principles - Equality and Privacy	3
Global Politics
POLS 260	Introduction to Comparative Politics	3
POLS/LAS 319	Politics of Latin America	3
POLS 321	Politics of the Middle East	3
POLS 322	Politics of Russia	3
POLS 323	Politics of Eastern Europe	3
POLS 324	Politics of Asia	3
POLS 325	Model United Nations	3
POLS 327	Politics of Continental Europe	3
POLS 329	Political Violence	3
POLS 330	U.S. Foreign Policy	3
POLS 331	International Organization and Law	3
POLS 332	International Conflict	3
POLS 334	International Political Economy	3
POLS 335	International Relations Theory	3
POLS 336	Arab-Israeli Conflict	3
POLS/WGSS 352	Gender and Politics in Global Perspective	3
POLS 390	Culture and Politics	3
Political Theory
POLS 309	Classical Political Thought	3
POLS 310	Modern Political Theory	3
POLS 311	Contemporary Political Thought	3
POLS 312	American Political Thought	3
POLS 314	The Idea of Tolerance in the Western Political Tradition	3

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, POLS 354

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.

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

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the current 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 Core General Education Requirements (CGER). CGER course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as CGER CL, CGER HA, and CGER NSWL to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of the course. Please click here for a description of the outcomes and requirements.

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 second language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
POLS 110	American National Politics (CGER CP)	3
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (CGER CL)	5
or WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing
MATH 246	Elementary Statistics (CGER MQR)	4
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
Elective		3
POLS 122	Introduction to World Politics (CGER SBS)	3
Elective		3
CGER Option: Humanities & Arts (HA)		3
CGER Option: Natural Sciences & Wellness with Lab (NSWL)		4
Elective		3
TOTAL		34
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
POLS 290	Introduction to Political Analysis	3
101-level Second Language (CGER CL)		4
CGER Option: Natural Sciences & Wellness (NSW)		3
2nd Concentration		3
2nd Concentration		3
POLS: Intl. Relations Elective		3
102-level Second Language (CGER CL)		4
POLS: American Politics Elective		3
CGER Option: Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS)		3
2nd Concentration		3
TOTAL		32
THIRD YEAR - Apply for Admission to Major
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
POLS: Comparative Govt. Elective		3
POLS: Political Theory Elective		3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
2nd Concentration		3
POLS: Theme Elective		3
POLS: Theme Elective		3
POLS: Theme Elective		3
CGER Option: Civics & Perspectives (CP)		3
2nd Concentration		3
2nd Concentration		3
TOTAL		30
FOURTH YEAR
SECOND SEMESTER
POLS 480	Political Science Capstone	3
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
POLS: Theme Elective		3
POLS: Theme Elective		3
2nd Concentration		3
2nd Concentration		3
Elective		3
Elective		3
CGER Course Option		3
Elective		3
Elective		3
TOTAL		27

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

Core General Education Requirements (CGER)