Major Requirements 

To graduate with a major in political science, you must complete a minimum of 36-39 credits in political science, including 9 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. The following courses are required of ALL majors:

PO 100 or PO 105   American Politics for NonMajors/Foundations of American Politics

PO 110                   Countries and Concepts

PO 280                   Methods of Political Research

PO 371                   Internship

PO 480                   Seminar

And ONE of the following:

PO 221                   Understanding International Conflict

PO 320                   Diplomacy and International Organizations

PO 323                   Topics in World Politics

Download the Majors' Advising Sheet

Political Science Course List

Major Requirements -- 2008

Students beginning the major in Fall 2008 will meet new requirements.  To graduate with a major in political science, you must complete a minimum of 41 credits in political science, including 9 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. The following courses are required of ALL majors:

PO 100:  Introduction to Politics

PO 105:  The American Political System

PO 221   Introduction to International Relations

PO 280:  Methods of Political Research (or MA 120 AND MA 220)

PO 371:  Internship

PO 410:  Political Science Professional Development

PO 450:  Senior Thesis

EC 100:  Macroeconomics

Requirements of the University and the College
In addition, you must meet the requirements of Millikin University and the College of Arts and Sciences. All Millikin graduates must accumulate a minimum of 124 credits to graduate, of which no more than 39 may be political science credits. Overall, at least 39 credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above (including political science credits).

Either the University or the College require most political science graduates to meet the following requirements. (JMS and Presidential Scholars meet different requirements.) Please consult with your adviser if you have specific questions about fulfilling these elements:

Specific coursework
IN 140: University Seminar (first year)
IN 150: Critical Writing, Reading, and Research I (first year)
IN 151: Ctitical Writing, Reading, and Research II (first year)
IN 250: U.S. Studies* (second year)
IN 350: Global Studies* (third year)

Non-specific coursework
One lab-based science course
One experiential fine arts course
One historical studies course
One literature course
Show quantitative reasoning skills
Show foreign language proficiency
Off-campus learning (met by PO 371)

*Political science majors may not use courses taught by political science faculty to meet these requirements.

Minor Requirements

To graduate with a minor in political science, you must complete 21 credits of political science courses. At least 9 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 or above. No specific courses are required; however, we strongly encourage minors to take PO 105, since many of our 300-level courses require completion of this course as a prerequisite.