Political Science

Faculty

Khalil Dokhanchi, Professor
Daniela Mansbach, Assistant Professor
Alisa Von Hagel, Assistant Professor

Program Description

Active citizenship is the foundation of the UW-Superior Political Science Program. The program offers courses that not only create informed students, but also students who can study the roots of problems at the local, state, national, and international levels, formulate creative solutions to these problems, and develop advocacy strategies that address them. Students in the major complete a set of common core courses and then choose a concentration in American Politics, Peace Studies, or Political Theory.

Student Learning Outcomes

Ability to analyze, interpret, and understand texts and discourse
Ability to effectively identify, evaluate, and formulate arguments
Ability to develop, organize, and express ideas in a precise, clear, effective, and systematic manner in writing, discussion, and oral presentations
Ability to recognize and appreciate multiple perspectives and the limitations of each perspective
Ability to independently research a topic and to produce a fully documented research paper
Ability to formulate and develop concrete solutions in terms of political action

Political Science Major

36 total credits

All students majoring in political science must complete a nine-credit set of political science core requirements along with a concentration in either American Politics, Peace Studies, or Political Theory.

Political Science Core required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

POLS 499

Senior Seminar -- 3.00 credits

Students must complete either:

American Politics Concentration OR
Peace Studies Concentration OR
Political Theory Concentration

Political Science Major - American Politics Concentration Requirements

36 total credits

Political Science Core required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

POLS 499

Senior Seminar -- 3.00 credits

Introductory American Politics required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 150

American National Government -- 3.00 credits

FNS 151

Introduction to Tribal Administration -- 3.00 credits

POLS 260

Contemporary Issues in American Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 330

U.S. State and Local Government -- 3.00 credits

Advanced American Politics required courses (12 credits required):

POLS 361

Campaigns and Elections -- 3.00 credits

POLS 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

WST 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 465

Congress and the Presidency -- 3.00 credits

POLS 420

Biotechnology Policy and Ethics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 397

American Conservative Thought -- 3.00 credits

American Politics Electives required courses (6 credits required):

LSTU 450

U.S.Constitutional Law, Part I -- 3.00 credits

LSTU 321

Judicial Process -- 3.00 credits

POLS 352

Paths to Peace -- 3.00 credits

POLS 372

Power and Resistance -- 3.00 credits

Political Science Major - Peace Studies Concentration Requirements

36 total credits

Political Science Core required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

POLS 499

Senior Seminar -- 3.00 credits

Introductory Peace Studies required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 101

Introduction to Comparative Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 175

The Making of the Modern Global System -- 3.00 credits

POLS 263

Contemporary Issues in World Politics -- 3.00 credits

Advanced Peace Studies required courses (12 credits required):

POLS 352

Paths to Peace -- 3.00 credits

POLS 353

International Law -- 3.00 credits

POLS 376

Theories of Human Rights -- 3.00 credits

POLS 345

Theories of War and Peace -- 3.00 credits

POLS 356

Seminar in Peacebuilding -- 3.00 credits

Peace Studies Elective required courses (6 credits required):

POLS 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

WST 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

WST 456

Feminist Theory and Action -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 456

Feminist Theory and Action -- 3.00 credits

POLS 381

Theories of Justice -- 3.00 credits

POLS 372

Power and Resistance -- 3.00 credits

Foreign language skills are strongly recommended. Students should have at least two years of foreign languages.

Political Science Major - Political Theory Concentration Requirements

36 total credits

Political Science Core required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

POLS 499

Senior Seminar -- 3.00 credits

Introductory Political Theory required courses (6 credits required):

POLS 372

Power and Resistance -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 262

Introduction to Political Theory -- 3.00 credits

POLS 265

Contemporary Issues in Political Theory -- 3.00 credits

Advanced Political Theory required courses (12 credits required):

POLS 372

Power and Resistance -- 3.00 credits

POLS 376

Theories of Human Rights -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 211

Contemporary Moral Problems -- 3.00 credits

POLS 381

Theories of Justice -- 3.00 credits

POLS 397

American Conservative Thought -- 3.00 credits

WST 456

Feminist Theory and Action -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 456

Feminist Theory and Action -- 3.00 credits

Political Theory Elective required courses (9 credits required):

HIST 412

Socialism in the West: Theory and Practice -- 3.00 credits

HIST 415

The History of Nationalism in Europe -- 3.00 credits

SOCI 371

Social Theory -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 340

Enlightenment, Freedom and Alienation (19th Century Philosophy) -- 3.00 credits

POLS 345

Theories of War and Peace -- 3.00 credits

POLS 420

Biotechnology Policy and Ethics -- 3.00 credits

Political Science Major - Early Adolescence-Adolescence Level (EA-A) Requirements

36 total credits

Political Science Core required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

POLS 499

Senior Seminar -- 3.00 credits

Introductory American Politics required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 150

American National Government -- 3.00 credits

FNS 151

Introduction to Tribal Administration -- 3.00 credits

POLS 260

Contemporary Issues in American Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 330

U.S. State and Local Government -- 3.00 credits

Advanced American Politics required courses (12 credits required):

POLS 361

Campaigns and Elections -- 3.00 credits

POLS 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

WST 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 465

Congress and the Presidency -- 3.00 credits

POLS 420

Biotechnology Policy and Ethics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 397

American Conservative Thought -- 3.00 credits

American Politics Electives required courses (3 credits required):

LSTU 450

U.S.Constitutional Law, Part I -- 3.00 credits

LSTU 321

Judicial Process -- 3.00 credits

POLS 352

Paths to Peace -- 3.00 credits

POLS 372

Power and Resistance -- 3.00 credits

Social Science Education required course (3 credits required):

SSED 339

Secondary Methods in Social Science Education -- 3.00 credits

Certification to teach also requires completion of a series of Wisconsin Teacher Certification (DPI) requirements. See the Teacher Education section of this catalog for details.

Political Science Minor

24 total credits

All students minoring in political science must complete a six credit set of political core requirements along with concentration in either American Politics, Peace Studies or Political Theory.

Political Science Core required courses (6 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

Students must complete either:

American Politics minor requirements
Peace Studies minor requirements
Political Theory minor requirements

American Politics Minor Requirements

24 total credits

Political Science Core required courses (6 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

Introductory American Politics required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 150

American National Government -- 3.00 credits

FNS 151

Introduction to Tribal Administration -- 3.00 credits

POLS 260

Contemporary Issues in American Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 330

U.S. State and Local Government -- 3.00 credits

Advanced Political Science Elective required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 361

Campaigns and Elections -- 3.00 credits

POLS 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

WST 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 465

Congress and the Presidency -- 3.00 credits

POLS 420

Biotechnology Policy and Ethics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 397

American Conservative Thought -- 3.00 credits

Peace Studies Minor Requirements

24 total credits

Political Science Core required courses (6 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

Introductory Peace Studies required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 101

Introduction to Comparative Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 175

The Making of the Modern Global System -- 3.00 credits

POLS 263

Contemporary Issues in World Politics -- 3.00 credits

Advanced Peace Studies required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 352

Paths to Peace -- 3.00 credits

POLS 353

International Law -- 3.00 credits

POLS 376

Theories of Human Rights -- 3.00 credits

POLS 345

Theories of War and Peace -- 3.00 credits

POLS 356

Seminar in Peacebuilding -- 3.00 credits

POLS 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

WST 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 456

Feminist Theory and Action -- 3.00 credits

WST 456

Feminist Theory and Action -- 3.00 credits

POLS 381

Theories of Justice -- 3.00 credits

POLS 372

Power and Resistance -- 3.00 credits

Foreign language skills are strongly recommended. Students should have at least two years of foreign languages.

Political Theory Minor Requirements

24 total credits

Political Science Core required courses (6 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

Introductory Political Theory required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 262

Introduction to Political Theory -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 262

Introduction to Political Theory -- 3.00 credits

POLS 265

Contemporary Issues in Political Theory -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 456

Feminist Theory and Action -- 3.00 credits

WST 456

Feminist Theory and Action -- 3.00 credits

POLS 381

Theories of Justice -- 3.00 credits

Advanced Political Theory and Elective required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 372

Power and Resistance -- 3.00 credits

POLS 376

Theories of Human Rights -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 211

Contemporary Moral Problems -- 3.00 credits

PHIL 340

Enlightenment, Freedom and Alienation (19th Century Philosophy) -- 3.00 credits

POLS 397

American Conservative Thought -- 3.00 credits

POLS 345

Theories of War and Peace -- 3.00 credits

POLS 420

Biotechnology Policy and Ethics -- 3.00 credits

Political Science Minor - Secondary Education Certification Requirements

24 total credits

Political Science Core required courses (6 credits required):

POLS 100

Introduction to Political Science -- 3.00 credits

FYS 114

First Year Seminar-Social Sciences,Non Western -- 3.00 credits

FYS 104

First-Year Seminar-Social Sciences -- 3.00 credits

FYS 101

First-Year Seminar- Humanities/History -- 3.00 credits

POLS 296

Research Design -- 3.00 credits

Introductory American Politics required courses (9 credits required):

POLS 150

American National Government -- 3.00 credits

FNS 151

Introduction to Tribal Administration -- 3.00 credits

POLS 260

Contemporary Issues in American Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 330

U.S. State and Local Government -- 3.00 credits

Advanced Political Science Elective required courses (6 credits required):

POLS 361

Campaigns and Elections -- 3.00 credits

POLS 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

WST 374

Women and Politics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 465

Congress and the Presidency -- 3.00 credits

POLS 420

Biotechnology Policy and Ethics -- 3.00 credits

POLS 397

American Conservative Thought -- 3.00 credits

Social Science Education course requirement (3 credits required):

SSED 339

Secondary Methods in Social Science Education -- 3.00 credits

Certification to teach also requires completion of a series of Wisconsin Teacher Certification (DPI) requirements. See the Teacher Education section of the catalog for details.

Broad Field Social Studies Major - Political Science Concentration

Students interested in teaching Political Science at the Early Adolescence-Adolescence Level (EA-A) are encouraged to consider the Broad Field Social Studies Major with an American Politics Concentration. Broad Field Social Studies is a comprehensive inter-disciplinary major designed specifically for students who intend to teach within the social studies disciplines at the secondary level. For more information, see the Broad Field Social Studies section of this catalog.