To graduate with a major in political science, a student must pass at least eight courses (24 credit hours) offered by the department, with a grade of C or better in six courses. At least one course must be from the 400-level. The major also must pass an introductory economics (ECON 101) course.

The courses offered by the department are divided into a number of requirements and electives. Each student must take the introductory courses in American government (POLI 100) and international relations (POLI 150), one lower-level course in comparative politics (POLI 131, 226, 232, 235, 236, 238, 239, 241, 257), and one course in political theory (POLI 265, 270, 271, 272, 274, 276, 280, 470, 471, 472, 475). The remaining courses are left wholly to the discretion of the student and can be taken from any of the department's undergraduate offerings. It is suggested that, whenever possible, students take the introductory courses in any of the subfields (comparative, international, American, theory, etc.) before taking more advanced 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.

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 prior to Fall 2006, please click here.