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Department of Political Science

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy

Students on Summer 2020, Fall 2020, or Spring 2021 requirements POLSPHILBA

The Interdepartmental Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy allows students to study both disciplines within a single major, addressing foundational issues relating to political life, ethics, and the law. Students develop skill in identifying and critically evaluating arguments, thinking clearly and independently, writing analytically, and applying principles of logic, while acquiring the tools and knowledge to understand the theory and practice of government and politics, both in the U.S. and internationally.

Requirements

The major requires at least 42 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
  1. Political Science Courses. At least 18 credit hours:
    1. American Politics and Public Policy. At least one (1) course:
      • POLS-P 301 Health Policy and Politics in the United States
      • POLS-Y 301 Political Parties and Interest Groups
      • POLS-Y 302 Public Bureaucracy in Modern Society
      • POLS-Y 303 Formation of Public Policy in the United States
      • POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law
      • POLS-Y 305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties
      • POLS-Y 306 State Politics in the United States
      • POLS-Y 307 Indiana State Government and Politics
      • POLS-Y 308 Urban Politics
      • POLS-Y 311 Democracy and National Security
      • POLS-Y 313 Environmental Policy
      • POLS-Y 315 Political Psychology and Socialization
      • POLS-Y 316 Public Opinion and Political Participation
      • POLS-Y 317 Voting, Elections, and Public Opinion
      • POLS-Y 318 The American Presidency
      • POLS-Y 319 The United States Congress
      • POLS-Y 320 Judicial Politics
      • POLS-Y 321 The Media and Politics
      • POLS-Y 324 Gender and Politics
      • POLS-Y 325 African American Politics
      • POLS-Y 326 American Social Welfare Policy
      • POLS-Y 329 Racial and Ethnic Politics in the United States
      • POLS-Y 394 Public Policy Analysis
    2. Comparative Politics or International Relations. At least one (1) course:
      • POLS-P 302 The Politics of Economic Crisis and Reform
      • POLS-P 303 Challenges of Democracy
      • POLS-Y 332 Russian Politics
      • POLS-Y 333 Chinese Politics
      • POLS-Y 334 Japanese Politics
      • POLS-Y 335 Western European Politics
      • POLS-Y 336 South East Asian Political Systems
      • POLS-Y 337 Latin American Politics
      • POLS-Y 338 African Politics
      • POLS-Y 339 Middle Eastern Politics
      • POLS-Y 340 East European Politics
      • POLS-Y 341 Authoritarian Regimes
      • POLS-Y 342 Human Rights and State Repression
      • POLS-Y 343 The Politics of International Development
      • POLS-Y 344 Civil Wars
      • POLS-Y 345 Comparative Revolutions
      • POLS-Y 346 Politics in the Developing World
      • POLS-Y 347 German Politics
      • POLS-Y 348 The Politics of Genocide
      • POLS-Y 350 Politics of the European Union
      • POLS-Y 351 Political Simulations
      • POLS-Y 352 The Holocaust and Politics
      • POLS-Y 353 The Politics of Gender and Sexuality
      • POLS-Y 356 South Asian Politics
      • POLS-Y 360 United States Foreign Policy
      • POLS-Y 361 Contemporary Theories of International Politics
      • POLS-Y 362 International Politics of Selected Regions
      • POLS-Y 363 Comparative Foreign Policy
      • POLS-Y 364 International Organization: Political and Security Aspects
      • POLS-Y 366 Current Foreign Policy Problems
      • POLS-Y 367 International Law
      • POLS-Y 368 Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy
      • POLS-Y 372 The Analysis of International Politics
      • POLS-Y 374 International Organization
      • POLS-Y 375 War and International Conflict
      • POLS-Y 376 International Political Economy
      • POLS-Y 399 Politics of the United Nations
      • POLS-Y 407 Problems in Comparative Politics
    3. Political Theory. At least two (2) courses:
      • POLS-Y 379 Ethics and Public Policy
      • POLS-Y 381 Classical Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 382 Modern Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 383 Foundations of American Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 384 Developments in American Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 386 African American Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 388 Marxist Theory
      • POLS-Y 395 Quantitative Political Analysis
      • POLS-Y 405 Models and Theories of Political Decision Making
      • POLS-Y 406 Problems in Political Philosophy
    4. Seminar. One (1) course:
      • POLS-Y 490 Senior Seminar in Political Science
    5. Political Science Electives. Additional courses, as needed, to fulfill remaining requirements:
      • One of:
        • POLS-Y 100 American Political Controversies
        • POLS-Y 101 Introduction to Political Science
        • POLS-Y 102 International Political Controversies
        • POLS-Y 103 Introduction to American Politics
        • POLS-Y 104 The Politics of Saving the World
        • POLS-Y 105 Introduction to Political Theory
        • POLS-Y 107 Introduction to Comparative Politics
        • POLS-Y 109 Introduction to International Relations
        • POLS-Y 110 Mathematics and Politics
        • POLS-Y 121 Capitalism and Democracy
      • POLS-P 301 Health Policy and Politics in the United States
      • POLS-P 302 The Politics of Economic Crisis and Reform
      • POLS-P 303 Challenges of Democracy
      • POLS-X 276 Political Science Practicum I
      • POLS-X 299 Careers for Political Science Students
      • POLS-X 376 Political Science Practicum II
      • POLS-X 471 Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship
      • POLS-X 476 Political Science Practicum III
      • POLS-X 477 Field Experience in Political Science
      • POLS-X 490 Undergraduate Readings in Political Science
      • POLS-Y 200 Contemporary Political Topics
      • POLS-Y 202 Politics and Citizenship in the Information Age
      • POLS-Y 204 Institutional Analysis and Governance
      • POLS-Y 205 Analyzing Politics
      • POLS-Y 207 The Politics of Business
      • POLS-Y 208 Leadership, Civil Society, and Public Policy
      • POLS-Y 209 Protests in a Global World
      • POLS-Y 210 Honors Seminar
      • POLS-Y 211 Introduction to Law
      • POLS-Y 212 Making Democracy Work
      • POLS-Y 239 US Foreign Policy and the Muslim World
      • POLS-Y 243 Governance and Corruption across the World
      • POLS-Y 249 Religion, Politics, and Public Policy
      • POLS-Y 281 Modern Political Ideologies
      • POLS-Y 300 Topics in Current Politics and Governance
      • POLS-Y 301 Political Parties and Interest Groups
      • POLS-Y 302 Public Bureaucracy in Modern Society
      • POLS-Y 303 Formation of Public Policy in the United States
      • POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law
      • POLS-Y 305 Constitutional Rights and Liberties
      • POLS-Y 306 State Politics in the United States
      • POLS-Y 307 Indiana State Government and Politics
      • POLS-Y 308 Urban Politics
      • POLS-Y 311 Democracy and National Security
      • POLS-Y 313 Environmental Policy
      • POLS-Y 315 Political Psychology and Socialization
      • POLS-Y 316 Public Opinion and Political Participation
      • POLS-Y 317 Voting, Elections, and Public Opinion
      • POLS-Y 318 The American Presidency
      • POLS-Y 319 The United States Congress
      • POLS-Y 320 Judicial Politics
      • POLS-Y 321 The Media and Politics
      • POLS-Y 324 Gender and Politics
      • POLS-Y 325 African American Politics
      • POLS-Y 326 American Social Welfare Policy
      • POLS-Y 329 Racial and Ethnic Politics in the United States
      • POLS-Y 332 Russian Politics
      • POLS-Y 333 Chinese Politics
      • POLS-Y 334 Japanese Politics
      • POLS-Y 335 Western European Politics
      • POLS-Y 336 South East Asian Political Systems
      • POLS-Y 337 Latin American Politics
      • POLS-Y 338 African Politics
      • POLS-Y 339 Middle Eastern Politics
      • POLS-Y 340 East European Politics
      • POLS-Y 341 Authoritarian Regimes
      • POLS-Y 342 Human Rights and State Repression
      • POLS-Y 343 The Politics of International Development
      • POLS-Y 344 Civil Wars
      • POLS-Y 345 Comparative Revolutions
      • POLS-Y 346 Politics in the Developing World
      • POLS-Y 347 German Politics
      • POLS-Y 348 The Politics of Genocide
      • POLS-Y 349 Policy Making Around the Globe
      • POLS-Y 350 Politics of the European Union
      • POLS-Y 351 Political Simulations
      • POLS-Y 352 The Holocaust and Politics
      • POLS-Y 353 The Politics of Gender and Sexuality
      • POLS-Y 356 South Asian Politics
      • POLS-Y 360 United States Foreign Policy
      • POLS-Y 361 Contemporary Theories of International Politics
      • POLS-Y 362 International Politics of Selected Regions
      • POLS-Y 363 Comparative Foreign Policy
      • POLS-Y 364 International Organization: Political and Security Aspects
      • POLS-Y 366 Current Foreign Policy Problems
      • POLS-Y 367 International Law
      • POLS-Y 368 Russian and Soviet Foreign Policy
      • POLS-Y 372 The Analysis of International Politics
      • POLS-Y 374 International Organization
      • POLS-Y 375 War and International Conflict
      • POLS-Y 376 International Political Economy
      • POLS-Y 379 Ethics and Public Policy
      • POLS-Y 381 Classical Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 382 Modern Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 383 Foundations of American Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 384 Developments in American Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 386 African American Political Thought
      • POLS-Y 388 Marxist Theory
      • POLS-Y 394 Public Policy Analysis
      • POLS-Y 395 Quantitative Political Analysis
      • POLS-Y 399 Politics of the United Nations
      • POLS-Y 401 Topics in Political Science
      • POLS-Y 405 Models and Theories of Political Decision Making
      • POLS-Y 406 Problems in Political Philosophy
      • POLS-Y 407 Problems in Comparative Politics
      • POLS-Y 490 Senior Seminar in Political Science
      • POLS-Y 496 Foreign Study in Political Science
      • POLS-Y 499 Honors Thesis
  2. Philosophy Courses. At least 18 credit hours:
    1. Ethics and Value Theory. At least one (1) course:
      • PHIL-P 242 Applied Ethics
      • PHIL-P 246 Introduction to Philosophy and Art
      • PHIL-P 332 Feminism and Value
      • PHIL-P 340 Classics in Ethics
      • PHIL-P 342 Problems of Ethics
      • PHIL-P 343 Classics in Social and Political Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 345 Problems in Social and Political Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 346 Classics in Philosophy of Art
      • PHIL-P 347 Contemporary Controversies in Philosophy of Art
      • PHIL-P 375 Philosophy of Law
      • PHIL-P 393 Biomedical Ethics
    2. History of Philosophy. At least one (1) course:
      • PHIL-P 201 Ancient Greek Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 205 Modern Jewish Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 211 Early Modern Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 301 Medieval Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 304 19th Century Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 305 Topics in the Philosophy of Judaism
      • PHIL-P 319 American Pragmatism
      • PHIL-P 328 Philosophies of India
      • PHIL-P 330 Marxist Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 335 Phenomenology and Existentialism
      • PHIL-P 374 Early Chinese Philosophy
    3. Epistemology and Metaphysics. At least one (1) course:
      • PHIL-P 310 Topics in Metaphysics
      • PHIL-P 312 Topics in the Theory of Knowledge
      • PHIL-P 320 Philosophy of Language
      • PHIL-P 360 Philosophy of Mind
      • PHIL-P 366 Philosophy of Action
    4. Logic. At least one (1) course:
      • PHIL-P 150 Elementary Logic
      • PHIL-P 250 Introductory Symbolic Logic
    5. Philosophy 300–499 Level Requirement. 12 credit hours:
      • PHIL-P 300 Philosophical Methods and Writing
      • PHIL-P 301 Medieval Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 304 19th Century Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 305 Topics in the Philosophy of Judaism
      • PHIL-P 310 Topics in Metaphysics
      • PHIL-P 312 Topics in the Theory of Knowledge
      • PHIL-P 319 American Pragmatism
      • PHIL-P 320 Philosophy of Language
      • PHIL-P 328 Philosophies of India
      • PHIL-P 330 Marxist Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 332 Feminism and Value
      • PHIL-P 335 Phenomenology and Existentialism
      • PHIL-P 340 Classics in Ethics
      • PHIL-P 342 Problems of Ethics
      • PHIL-P 343 Classics in Social and Political Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 345 Problems in Social and Political Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 346 Classics in Philosophy of Art
      • PHIL-P 347 Contemporary Controversies in Philosophy of Art
      • PHIL-P 348 Philosophy and Literature
      • PHIL-P 350 Logic of Sets
      • PHIL-P 352 Logic and Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 360 Philosophy of Mind
      • PHIL-P 363 Philosophy and Psychoanalysis
      • PHIL-P 366 Philosophy of Action
      • PHIL-P 370 Topics in Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 371 Philosophy of Religion
      • PHIL-P 374 Early Chinese Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 375 Philosophy of Law
      • PHIL-P 376 Leadership and Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 393 Biomedical Ethics
      • PHIL-P 401 History of Philosophy: Special Topics
      • PHIL-P 470 Special Topics in Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 498 Honors Thesis Directed Research
      • PHIL-P 499 Honors Thesis
      • One (1) of:
        • PHIL-X 471 Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship in Philosophy
        • PHIL-X 473 Internship in Philosophy
      • PHIL-X 490 Readings in Philosophy
    6. Philosophy Electives. Additional courses, as needed, to fulfill remaining requirements:
      • One (1) of:
        • PHIL-P 103 Gender, Sexuality and Race
        • PHIL-P 105 Critical Thinking
        • PHIL-P 106 Introduction to Problems of Philosophy
        • PHIL-P 107 Philosophy and the Environment
        • PHIL-P 135 Introduction to Existentialism
        • PHIL-P 141 Introduction to Ethical Theories and Problems
        • PHIL-P 145 Liberty and Justice: A Philosophical Introduction
        • PHIL-P 150 Elementary Logic
      • PHIL-P 200 Problems of Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 201 Ancient Greek Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 205 Modern Jewish Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 211 Early Modern Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 240 Business and Morality - Ethics in Context
      • PHIL-P 242 Applied Ethics
      • PHIL-P 246 Introduction to Philosophy and Art
      • PHIL-P 250 Introductory Symbolic Logic
      • PHIL-P 251 Intermediate Symbolic Logic
      • PHIL-P 270 Introductory Topics in Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 300 Philosophical Methods and Writing
      • PHIL-P 301 Medieval Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 304 19th Century Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 305 Topics in the Philosophy of Judaism
      • PHIL-P 310 Topics in Metaphysics
      • PHIL-P 312 Topics in the Theory of Knowledge
      • PHIL-P 319 American Pragmatism
      • PHIL-P 320 Philosophy of Language
      • PHIL-P 328 Philosophies of India
      • PHIL-P 330 Marxist Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 332 Feminism and Value
      • PHIL-P 335 Phenomenology and Existentialism
      • PHIL-P 340 Classics in Ethics
      • PHIL-P 342 Problems of Ethics
      • PHIL-P 343 Classics in Social and Political Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 345 Problems in Social and Political Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 346 Classics in Philosophy of Art
      • PHIL-P 347 Contemporary Controversies in Philosophy of Art
      • PHIL-P 348 Philosophy and Literature
      • PHIL-P 350 Logic of Sets
      • PHIL-P 352 Logic and Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 360 Philosophy of Mind
      • PHIL-P 363 Philosophy and Psychoanalysis
      • PHIL-P 366 Philosophy of Action
      • PHIL-P 370 Topics in Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 371 Philosophy of Religion
      • PHIL-P 374 Early Chinese Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 375 Philosophy of Law
      • PHIL-P 376 Leadership and Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 393 Biomedical Ethics
      • PHIL-P 401 History of Philosophy: Special Topics
      • PHIL-P 470 Special Topics in Philosophy
      • PHIL-P 498 Honors Thesis Directed Research
      • PHIL-P 499 Honors Thesis
      • One (1) of:
        • PHIL-X 471 Undergraduate Teaching Assistantship in Philosophy
        • PHIL-X 473 Internship in Philosophy
      • PHIL-X 490 Readings in Philosophy
  3. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Major GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Major Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
    3. Major Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. Major Residency. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
    5. College Breadth. At least 38 credit hours must be completed in courses from College of Arts and Sciences disciplines outside of the major area.

Major Area Courses

Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:

  • Any course at the 100–499 level with the PHIL or POLS subject area prefix—as well as any other subject areas that are deemed functionally equivalent
  • Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
  • Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
Exclusions

The following courses cannot be applied toward major requirements or the College Breadth requirement:

  • PHIL-F 116

This program of study cannot be combined with the following:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science (ECONPOLSBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy (PHILBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Political Science (PHILPOLSBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Religious Studies (PHILRELBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (POLSBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics (POLSECONBA)
  • Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Philosophy (RELPHILBA)
  • Interdepartmental Minor in Economics and Political Science (ECONPOLMIN)
  • Interdepartmental Minor in Political Science and Economics (POLSECNMIN)
  • Minor in Philosophy (PHILMIN)
  • Minor in Philosophy of Mind and Cognition (PHILMCMIN)
  • Minor in Philosophy of the Arts (PHILARMIN)
  • Minor in Political Science (POLSMIN)

Exceptions to and substitutions for major requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.