Political Science Major, BA – Honors Concentration

Prerequisites

Honors Concentration

The department’s Honors Program emphasizes the ideals of a superior liberal arts education and gives students a more rigorous and intensive preparation in political science. The honors concentration consists of thirty-four (34) hours in political science courses numbered 200 and above, including completion of POLS 301 , POLS 480 , POLS 487 , and POLS 488 . These 34 hours must include three courses numbered at the 200-level, which must be completed with a minimum cumulative average of 3.0. To graduate with honors in political science, the student must have a minimum GPA of 3.3 in political science, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25, and at least 12 hours of honors courses (POLS 487  and POLS 488  count toward this total, as do any hours earned through honors by contract).

The Honors Program encourages fruitful contacts between individual students and faculty members, and student involvement in planning and developing the program. As a senior, each student takes POLS 487  and POLS 488 , investigates a topic of his or her choice, and presents the results in an Honors Thesis. This project develops with the assistance and supervision of the Honors Director or another member of the Political Science faculty.

Select three courses – Foundations of Political Science:

• POLS 200 - Introduction to Political Philosophy 3 Credit Hours
• POLS 215 - Tennessee Government and Politics 3 Credit Hours
• POLS 240 - Introduction to Public Administration and Public Policy 3 Credit Hours
• POLS 249 - Introduction to Comparative Politics 3 Credit Hours
• POLS 265 - Introduction to International Relations 3 Credit Hours

Complete:

• POLS 301 - Research Methods 3 Credit Hours
• POLS 487 - Senior Honors: Thesis and Seminar 3 Credit Hours
• POLS 488 - Senior Honors: Thesis and Seminar 3 Credit Hours

Complete 15 hours:

• Upper-division (300-400 level) political science courses (Note: POLS 480 - Capstone  does not count toward this requirement.)

Complete:

• POLS 480 - Capstone 1 Credit Hours

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• * Meets Volunteer Core Requirements .