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The Political Science Major
Political Science is concerned with the description and explanation of political institutions and behavior, the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and the relations of people with their governments. The curriculum provides the student with a broad knowledge of both domestic and foreign political institutions, processes, and problems. The undergraduate major is designed to enable students to attain several objectives:
1. A broad understanding of political institutions and issues as the central element of a general education;
2. A basic knowledge of governmental techniques for those considering a career in public service;
3. Pre-professional training for students planning to enter a law school;
4. A basic foundation in Political Science for those contemplating specialization at the graduate level.
Political Science is the third largest undergraduate major at UNC-Chapel Hill. But there is ample opportunity for students to receive individual attention and assistance as they pursue their chosen course of study. Many classes have fewer than 30 students, and our faculty members are committed to creating interesting and relevant classroom environments. Over the years, many of our faculty members have been recognized for their efforts with teaching awards.
In addition to our wide range of traditional courses, undergraduate students are offered the opportunity to apply their knowledge through internships for credit, service-learning courses (A.P.P.L.E.S.), and independent study.
For students entering UNC prior to Fall 2006
1. Complete no fewer than eight political science courses. All courses in the major must be taken with a letter grade (not pass/fail).
2. Receive a grade of "C" or better in at least six of the Political Science courses. Courses counting for the major may not count simultaneously for the fulfillment of other requirements. The only exception is Poli 100, which may also count as a General College social science perspective. Transfer students must complete at least half of their major courses at UNC and receive a grade of "C" or better in three-fourths of them.
3. Complete Political Science 100 (American Government), Political Science 150 (International Relations), one course in Comparative Politics, and one course in Political Theory. (These courses are listed below.) Students using a political theory course to satisfy the General College Philosophical Perspective cannot count this course as a course toward the Political Science major. However, they will be exempted from taking an additional course in Political Theory.
4. Complete and pass one 400-level Political Science course.
5. Complete and pass Economics 101.
6. A maximum of six hours can be taken from the grouping 196, 197, and 214.
Comparative Politics
131 Political Change and Modernization
226 Government and Politics in East Asia
232 Politics in England
235 Politics of the Soviet Union and its Successor States
236 Politics of East Central Europe
238 Contemporary Latin American Politics
239 Introduction to European Government
241 Contemporary Africa
257 Contemporary German Studies: An Interdisciplinary Seminar
Political Theory
265 Feminism and Political Theory
270 Classical Political Thought
271 Modern Political Thought
272 The Ethics of Peace, War, and Defense
274 African-American Political Thought
276 Major Issues of Political Theory: An Introduction
280 American Political Thought
470 Social and Political Philosophy
471 Recent and Contemporary Political Thought
472 Problems of Modern Democratic Theory
475 Marxism and Socialism
NOTE: In addition to the above requirements of the Department of Political Science, all political science majors must complete the requirements of the General College and the College of Arts and Sciences. Advice concerning these requirements should be obtained from General College advisors in Steele Building and from Arts and Sciences advisors in Steele Building. Students must see an advisor in Steele Building for information about graduation requirements and other university regulations.
For students entering UNC in Fall 2006 or after
1. Complete no fewer than eight political science courses. All courses in the major must be taken with a letter grade (not pass/fail).
2. Receive a grade of "C" or better in at least six of the Political Science courses. POLI 100 can be counted as part of the major and also as a non-historical Social and Behavioral Sciences (SS) course, and as the North Atlantic World (NA) Connections course. Transfer students must complete at least half of their major courses at UNC and receive a grade of "C" or better in three-fourths of them.
3. Complete Political Science 100 (American Government), Political Science 150 (International Relations), one course in Comparative Politics, and one course in Political Theory. (These courses are listed below.)
4. Complete and pass one 400-level Political Science course.
5. Complete and pass Economics 101.
6. A maximum of six hours can be taken from the grouping 196 and 197.
Comparative Politics
131 Political Change and Modernization
226 Government and Politics in East Asia
232 Politics in England
235 Politics of the Soviet Union and its Successor States
236 Politics of East Central Europe
238 Contemporary Latin American Politics
239 Introduction to European Government
241 Contemporary Africa
257 Contemporary German Studies: An Interdisciplinary Seminar
Political Theory
265 Feminism and Political Theory
270 Classical Political Thought
271 Modern Political Thought
272 The Ethics of Peace, War, and Defense
274 African-American Political Thought
276 Major Issues of Political Theory: An Introduction
280 American Political Thought
470 Social and Political Philosophy
471 Recent and Contemporary Political Thought
472 Problems of Modern Democratic Theory
475 Marxism and Socialism
NOTE: In addition to the above requirements of the Department of Political Science, all political science majors must complete the requirements of the General College and the College of Arts and Sciences. Advice concerning these requirements should be obtained from General College advisors in Steele Building and from Arts and Sciences advisors in Steele Building. Students must see an advisor in Steele Building for information about graduation requirements and other university regulations.
The Honors Program provides political science majors the opportunity to pursue an independent research project over a two-semester period. Students begin the program by taking Political Science 691H, Honors Seminar in Research Design, in the spring semester of their junior year. During this course, they complete the first chapter of the proposed thesis.
If the first chapter is acceptable, students continue their thesis research in the senior year under the direction of a faculty advisor in Political Science 692H. Upon successful completion of the program, which includes an oral defense of the thesis, students are awarded a degree "with Honors" or "with Highest Honors in Political Science."
To be admitted to the Honors Program students must have at least a 3.2 overall grade point average and 3.5 in Political Science. They should have completed four courses in the major. Students interested in participating in the Honors Program should apply online (see below) and contact Stuart Macdonald by October of the first semester of their junior year.
Click here to apply online.
The University of North Carolina 's Alpha Chi chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha was founded in 1949, and is one of the oldest and most venerated undergraduate honor societies on the Chapel Hill campus. Membership in Pi Sigma Alpha is open to Political Science majors who have completed at least fifteen hours of Political Science with an overall grade point average of 3.2 or better and a Political Science grade point average of 3.5 or better. Induction takes place yearly at a spring ceremony. For further information, contact Janet Ward in 360 Hamilton Hall.
A.P.P.L.E.S. is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable professional experience and course credit while contributing to the local community and communities across the state. Through relationships with more than 250 nonprofit and governmental organizations in the Triangle and across the state, A.P.P.L.E.S. offers four programs for undergraduate students:
- Service-Learning Courses - Students participate in community work through their academic courses, connecting theory- and skill-based knowledge to the issues affecting the community.
- Spring and Summer Internships - Undergraduates complete 8-10 week paid internships in a variety of nonprofit organizations across the state during the spring and summer. These internships carry an academic requirement, for which students also receive 3 hours of academic credit.
- Alternative Spring and Fall Breaks - During Fall and Spring Breaks, groups perform service in a community in North Carolina, such as Cherokee, Wilmington, or the Outer Banks. Participating students meet as a class for the weeks preceding the trip, plan their service, and learn about service-learning theories in preparation for their journey. The trip is free, and students earn 1 hour of credit for their participation in class.
- Robert E. Bryan Fellowships - Students with innovative ideas for service to the community can receive $1,500 for Academic Year Fellowships and $4,000 for Summer Fellowships to implement self-designed, off-campus experiences in public service.
A.P.P.L.E.S. courses in Political Science are offered on a semi-regular basis. However, many A.P.P.L.E.S. courses offered by other departments give Political Science majors a chance to develop skills in areas important to the field. For more information, current course listings, and forms, visit the A.P.P.L.E.S. Web site. A.P.P.L.E.S. Service-Learning is a student-sponsored program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
If you would like more information about majoring in Political Science, contact Janet Ward at jkerr@email.unc.edu or (919) 962-0442.
The Shepherd Jones Award, named for the late faculty member who served for many years in the U.S. State Department and who was present at the founding of the United Nations in 1945, is given annually to the best undergraduate paper on a topic in international relations. The paper shall be written and nominated within one year of the current deadline date for submission, March 7. Spring semester papers nominated after March 7 will be considered in the judging in the following academic year. It may be nominated by the author, the instructor or a third party. A paper written by a student graduating in December is eligible, provided is was written while the student was still enrolled. Deadline for receipt of all submissions is Friday, March 7th. The Award carries a prize of $100. Papers may be submitted in electronic or had copy form. For the former, email it as an attachment to a message to timmck@email.unc.edu. Write "Shepherd Jones paper nomination" in the subject line. For hard copy submissions, send via campus mail to Prof. Timothy McKeown, Department of Political Science, C.B. #3265.
