Political Science Major (Public Policy Track) – Bachelor of Arts

Program Competencies

Students are expected to possess:

The ability to exhibit knowledge of political conditions within the United States, including the working of formal and informal institutions and the role of conflict, special interest, power, and inequities in the policy making process.

1. An understanding of the political systems in other countries, the relations between countries, and the functioning of international institutions. This is the basis for comparative study and evaluation of the United States political system.
2. The ability to analyze the impact of government policies on social and economic conditions in the United States and other countries.
3. The ability to recognize and value the varied nature of the human condition across individuals and culture groups through the practice of political analysis.
4. The ability to use methods of political investigation, to conduct original studies, and to present findings from those investigations in written and oral formats.
5. The ability to carry out studies in their area of expertise that include a significant analysis of regional resources and issues.
6. The ability to present research and policy reports that are comprehensible to audiences of various public policymakers.
7. The ability to interpret the output of regional resource analyses and their potential use in formulating public policymakers.

Assessment

1. Capstone course

Program Requirements

General Education

POLS 499C	Senior Seminar	3
Total Credit Hours:		36

Refer to the General Education requirements for a complete listing for the University.

Political Science Core Requirements

POLS 110	Introduction to Political Theory	3
POLS 140	United States Government	3
POLS 200	Methods of Political Inquiry	3
POLS 230	Introduction to Comparative Politics	3
POLS 262	U.S. Foreign Policy	3
POLS 321	Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers	3
Total Credit Hours:		18

Political Science Electives

Choose one of the following:

POLS 242	State and Local Government	3
POLS 344	Kentucky Government	3
Total Credit Hours:		3

Public Policy Track Requirements

ECON 201	Principles of Macroeconomics	3
ECON 202	Principles of Microeconomics	3
POLS 352	American Public Policy	3
Total Credit Hours:		9

Public Policy Track Electives

Choose 6-15 hours from the following:

POLS 324	Environmental Law and Policy	3
POLS 325	Federalism and the Constitution	3
POLS 336	North American Politics: United States and Canada	3
POLS 343	Political Parties and Elections	3
POLS 345	Congress and the Federal Bureaucracy	3
POLS 351	Public Administration	3
POLS 420	Seminar in Public Law	3
POLS 492	Washington Center Seminar Program	3
POLS 494	Washington Center Internship Program	3-15
POLS 496	Frankfort Legislative Internship Program	15
POLS 498	Local, State, National and International Government Internship	3-15
ECON 341	Public Finance	3
ECON 342	Money and Banking	3
ECON 350	Intermediate Microeconomics	3
ECON 351	Intermediate Macroeconomics	3
ECON 401	Environmental Economics	3
ECON 447	International Economics	3
PLS 355	Administrative Law	3
PLS 370	History of American Law	3
PPOL 399	Selected Topics in Public Policy	3
RAPP 300	Seminar in Regional Issues I	3
RAPP 350	Practicing Regional Analysis I	3
RAPP 376	Directed Research	3
RAPP 450	Practicing Regional Analysis II	3
RAPP 490	Seminar in Regional Issues II	3
SOC 370	Rural Sociology	3
Total Credit Hours:		6-15

Minor

All majors must also include a minor or additional major. See Terms to Know.

Total Credit Hours:

21

Free Electives

Free Electives	(chosen by student)	18-27
Total Credit Hours:		18-27

Total Credit Hours: 120