Political Science
College of Liberal Arts
Department of Political Science
(907) 474-7609
Degree: B.A.
Minimum Requirements for Degree: 130 credits
The study of political science is the study of human efforts to create social organizations and processes compatible with our environment. Political science is related to all of the social science disciplines. It is the study of the dynamics of human behavior in various cultural, national and international spheres.
Students of political science may prepare for teaching or for advanced study in law and the social sciences, or prepare themselves for careers in public service.
Undergraduate Degree Requirements
Political Science -- B.A. Degree
- Complete general university requirements and B.A. degree requirements including PS 100X, PS 300X, HIST 100X.
- Complete the following major degree requirements (33 credits):
PS 101 -- Introduction to American Government and
Politics (3 credits)
PS 222 -- Research Methods (3 credits)
PS 492 -- Senior Seminar in Political Science (3 credits)
Complete 24 additional credits in political science including at least three credits from 4 of the 5 following sub-disciplinary groups:
American Government and Politics
PS 212 -- Introduction to Public Administration (3 credits)
PS 301 -- American Presidency (3 credits)
PS 302 -- Congress and Public Policy (3 credits)
PS 401 -- Political Behavior (3 credits)
PS 403 -- Public Policy (3 credits)
PS 462 -- Alaska Government and Politics (3 credits)
Public Law
PS 303 -- Politics and the Judicial Process (3 credits)
PS 330 -- Law, Justice and Society (3 credits)
PS 404 -- Introduction to Legal Research and Writing (3 credits)
PS 435 -- Constitutional Law I: Institutions and
Governmental Power (3 credits)
PS 436 -- Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3 credits)
Comparative Politics
PS 201 -- Comparative Politics (3 credits)
PS 202 -- Cases in Comparative Politics (3 credits)
PS 311 -- Government and Politics of the Russian and the Periphery (3 credits)
PS 312 -- East Asian Government and Politics (3 credits)
PS 460 -- Government and Politics of Canada (3 credits)
PS 461 -- Government and Politics of Latin America (3 credits)
International Politics
PS 321 -- International Politics (3 credits)
PS 322 -- International Law and Organizations (3 credits)
PS 323 -- International Political Economy (3 credits)
PS 437 -- American Foreign Policy (3 credits)
PS 438 -- Peace and National Security (3 credits)
Political Theory
PS 314 -- Political Ideologies (3 credits)
PS 315 -- American Political Thought (3 credits)
PS 411 -- Classical Political Theory (3 credits)
PS 412 -- Modern Political Theory (3 credits)
PS 415 -- Contemporary Political Theory (3 credits) - Minimum credits required (130 credits)
MINOR in Political Science
A minor in Political Science requires 15 credits distributed as follows:
- PS 101 -- Introduction to American Government and Politics (3 credits)
- Complete 12 credits in political science including three (3) credits each from four of the five following sub-disciplinary groups:
American Government and Politics
Public Law
Comparative Politics
International Politics
Political Theory (12 credits)