Political Sciences BA

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Political Science is the central field for imparting knowledge of political processes, political values, and public policy. It also plays a key role in cultivating critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This combination of knowledge and skills is valuable not only for individuals engaged directly in public policy-making and administration, but also for those involved in business and non-profit activities. In recent years acquiring the knowledge and skills associated with Political Science has taken on a heightened urgency due to the complexities of an increasingly global economy and diverse U.S. population, as well as to the increasingly intricate relationships between public- sector, private-sector, and non-profit organizations. Adding to this sense of urgency in Florida is the state’s rapid pace of demographic change and the delicate environmental constraints within which its sustainable planning and development efforts must be carried out.

The BA program in Political Science is designed to provide students with the analytical tools needed to address local, regional, and national public policy issues, as well as to achieve their career objectives. Using a variety of innovative approaches, it provides students with the knowledge and skills essential for dealing with the emerging trends reshaping the political landscape.

A baccalaureate degree in Political Science can aid a student’s career pursuits in local, state, and federal government, research and lobbying for business and non-profit organizations, and public interest work for community service organizations. A baccalaureate degree in Political Science also provides an excellent foundation for students who intend to pursue graduate study in law, business, or the social sciences.

Department Contacts

Coughlin, Richard

Program Coordinator Political Science BA/Associate Professor, Political Science & Government

MERWIN 0150

239-590-7177

rcoughli@fgcu.edu

Bogle, Jhaniene

Administrative Specialist

MERWIN 0131B

239-590-7847

jbogle@fgcu.edu

Concentrations

International Relations and Comparative Politics Concentration
Law and Politics Concentration

Accreditation
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Admissions Information
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Admissions Information for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
If you are not yet an FGCU student, visit the Admissions Office Website
If you are a newly-admitted FGCU student please be sure to sign up for an Eagle View Orientation session. As part of this session you will be meeting with an academic advisor who will assist you in registering for classes for your major.
Admission Deadlines
Visit the Admissions Office Web site for information on admission deadlines of the university.
Program Requirements
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Program Requirements for the 2024-2025 Catalog Year
The General Education Program Website is located at https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/
Program Progression and Additional Graduation Requirements
- Attend an orientation session.
- Sign an Advising Agreement document.
In addition to the program requirements, students must:
- Complete a minimum of 120 credits.
- Complete a minimum of 48 of the 120 credits at the upper division (3000-4999 level).
- Earn a cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- Satisfy the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfy the Service-Learning requirement.
- Satisfy the Civic Literacy requirement.
- Satisfy the residency requirement: 30 of the last 60 credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Complete the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an Application for Graduation by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
Program Requirements
1. FGCU General Education Program (https://www.fgcu.edu/academics/undergraduatestudies/generaleducation/)
  
  To prevent or minimize excess hours, select general education courses that satisfy common prerequisite requirements for your intended major.
2. Common Prerequisites
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course
  
  FGCU Course: Any two introductory Political Science courses with the prefixes of CPO, INR, or POS (6 credits).
  The following are suggested courses:
  CPO 2001 Intro to Comparative Politics (3)
  INR 2015 Global Studies (3)
  POS 2041 American National Government (3)
  Acceptable Substitute: POSX000-X999 or INRX000-X999 or CPOX000-X999
3. Required Courses in the Major (15 credits)
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course
  
  CPO 3003 Comparative Politics (3)
  INR 3003 Theories of Int'l Relations (3)
  POS 3043 Amer. Political Institutions (3)
  POS 3703 Intro to Pol Science Research (3)
  POS 4936 Senior Seminar (3)
4. Restricted Electives/Concentration (21 credits)
  A minimum grade of C is required in each course
  
  Select 9 upper division (3000-4999 level) credits with the prefix CPO, INR, PAD (except PAD 4343C), POS, POT, or PUP. A maximum of 6 credits can be applied from the "Additional Electives" category.
  
  Additional Electives:
  CPO 4906 Ind Study in Comp Politics (3)
  IDH 4945 Honors in Washington (3-6)
  INR 3955 Overseas Study (1-3)
  INR 4910 Directed Independent Study (3)
  POS 4905 Independent Study (3)
  POS 4941 Political Science Internship (3-6)
  POS 4942 Washington Center Internship (3-6)
  POT 4906 Ind Study in Political Theory (3)
  
  Courses taken to satisfy required courses in the major cannot be counted as electives. Courses taken in one elective category cannot be used to satisfy another elective category.
  
  No Concentration Noted on Transcript
  Select 12 credits from the following elective courses.
  
  CPO 3034 Politics of Developing Nations (3)
  CPO 3143 European Politics (3)
  CPO 3303 Latin American Politics (3)
  CPO 3403 Politics of the Middle East (3)
  CPO 3731 Comparative Democratization (3)
  CPO 3760 Religion & Politics (3)
  CPO 4062 Comparative Judicial Politics (3)
  CPO 4514 Asian Politics (3)
  CPO 4774 The Politics of Extremism (3)
  CPO 4930 Special Topics Comp Politics (3)
  INR 4061 International Armed Conflicts (3)
  INR 4075 International Human Rights (3)
  INR 4303 U.S. Foreign Policy (3)
  INR 4333 International Security (3)
  INR 4502 International Organizations (3)
  INR 4703 International Political Econ (3)
  INR 4930 Special Topics Intl Relations (3)
  PAD 3810 State & Local Public Admin (3)
  PAD 4232 Grant Writing & Administration (3)
  PAD 4253 Community/Economic Development (3)
  PAD 4332 Strategic Analysis & Planning (3)
  PAD 4351 Environmental Governance (3)
  PAD 4603 Administrative Law (3)
  POS 3175 Southern Politics & Civ Rights (3)
  POS 3250 Political Communication (3)
  POS 3270 Political Campaigns/Elections (3)
  POS 3272 Politics & the Citizen (3)
  POS 3283 Judicial Process (3)
  POS 3411 The Modern Presidency (3)
  POS 3424 Legislative Process (3)
  POS 3691 Law, Politics, and Society (3)
  POS 4070 Race, Ethnicity, & Politics (3)
  POS 4072 Women in Politics & Govt (3)
  POS 4152 Urban Politics and Problems (3)
  POS 4284 Politics of the Judiciary (3)
  POS 4604 Con Law - Civil Liberties (3)
  POS 4614 Con Law - Institutional Powers (3)
  POS 4931 Spec Topics in Political Sci. (3)
  POT 3003 Political Theorists (3)
  POT 3075 Culture and Politics (3)
  POT 3303 Ideology & Propaganda (3)
  POT 3501 Politics, Ethics, & Pol Theory (3)
  POT 4204 American Political Thought (3)
  POT 4514 Theories of Political Violence (3)
  POT 4932 Sp Topics -Politics/Humanities (3)
  PUP 3040 State and Local Public Policy (3)
  PUP 4004 Policymaking & Administration (3)
  PUP 4206 Int'l Environmental Policy (3)
  PUP 4603 Politics & Policy in Medicine (3)
  PUP 4930 Special Topics-Public Policy (3)
  
  International Relations and Comparative Politics Concentration
  
  Select 12 credits from the following elective courses. A minimum of 6 credits must be selected from the concentration’s CPO- and/or INR-prefix courses.
  
  CPO 3034 Politics of Developing Nations (3)
  CPO 3143 European Politics (3)
  CPO 3303 Latin American Politics (3)
  CPO 3403 Politics of the Middle East (3)
  CPO 3731 Comparative Democratization (3)
  CPO 3760 Religion & Politics (3)
  CPO 4062 Comparative Judicial Politics (3)
  CPO 4514 Asian Politics (3)
  CPO 4774 The Politics of Extremism (3)
  CPO 4930 Special Topics Comp Politics (3)
  INR 4061 International Armed Conflicts (3)
  INR 4075 International Human Rights (3)
  INR 4303 U.S. Foreign Policy (3)
  INR 4333 International Security (3)
  INR 4502 International Organizations (3)
  INR 4703 International Political Econ (3)
  INR 4930 Special Topics Intl Relations (3)
  POT 3075 Culture and Politics (3)
  POT 3303 Ideology & Propaganda (3)
  POT 4514 Theories of Political Violence (3)
  PUP 4206 Int'l Environmental Policy (3)
  
  Law and Politics Concentration
  
  Select 12 credits from the following elective courses. A minimum of 6 credits must be selected from the concentration’s POS-prefix courses.
  
  CPO 4062 Comparative Judicial Politics (3)
  CPO 4774 The Politics of Extremism (3)
  INR 4075 International Human Rights (3)
  INR 4502 International Organizations (3)
  PAD 4603 Administrative Law (3)
  POS 3175 Southern Politics & Civ Rights (3)
  POS 3283 Judicial Process (3)
  POS 3691 Law, Politics, and Society (3)
  POS 4070 Race, Ethnicity, & Politics (3)
  POS 4284 Politics of the Judiciary (3)
  POS 4604 Con Law - Civil Liberties (3)
  POS 4614 Con Law - Institutional Powers (3)
  PUP 4206 Int'l Environmental Policy (3)
5. University Requirements (3 credits)
  Select one of the following:
  IDS 3920 University Colloquium (3)
  Or at least 3 credits in sustainability coursework (SCGR Attribute)
6. Additional Electives - as needed to reach total credits required for the degree.
Total Credits Required: 120
Degree Map
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Degree Maps are to be used as a general guideline for students. Some students scheduling needs may vary based upon completed courses and transfer credits. Please see your advisor for assistance and verification.
2024-2025 Political Science BA Degree Map

2024-2025 Political Science - IR & Comparative Politics BA Degree Map

2024-2025 Political Science - Law and Politics BA Degree Map

Additional Graduation Requirements include:
- A minimum of 120 credit hours.
- A minimum of 48 of the 120 hours must be at the upper division (3000 - 4999) level.
- A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all coursework attempted at FGCU.
- A minimum grade of C for each course used to satisfy the following categories: common prerequisites, required courses in the major, and courses in the concentration.
- Satisfaction of the College-Level Skills and foreign language entrance requirements.
- Satisfaction of the Service Learning requirement (See www.fgcu.edu/connect).
- Satisfaction of the residency requirement: thirty of the last sixty credits must be completed at FGCU.
- Completion of the summer course enrollment requirement.
- Submit an online Application for Graduation via Gulfline by the deadline listed in the FGCU Academic Calendar.
For All Majors: Students are strongly recommended to select required lower division electives that will enhance their General Education coursework and that will support their intended baccalaureate degree program. Students should consult with an academic advisor in their major degree area.
Course Description
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Official Course Descriptions

Search for official course descriptions by using the Course Description Search utility.

Go to the Course Descriptions Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select a course prefix from one of the SUBJECT dropdowns (required)
3. Enter search words in the TEXT field (optional, but will narrow the search results)
4. Press Search
Course Schedule
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Getting Started With the Course Schedule Search

Search for program courses by using the Course Schedule Search utility.

Go to the Course Schedule Search Web page, then follow these steps:
1. Select an Academic Year from the TERM dropdown (required)
2. Select one or more of the search options to narrow your results (for example, CAMPUS, COLLEGE, DEPARTMENT, LEVEL, PREFIX*, COURSE ATTRIBUTE**). For virtual or web courses, select VIRTUAL in the CAMPUS field.
3. Press Search.
*A course prefix is a three-letter designator for a major division of an academic discipline (for example, ACG for Accounting , BSC for Biological Science, ENC for English Composition). See the Degree Requirements page for a list of courses (with prefix and number) that can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

**A course attribute identifies specific characteristics of courses that can be used in a Degree Evaluation to satisfy a degree requirement. (Course attribute examples are Humanities courses - GEHM and Social Science courses - GESO.)
Learning Outcomes
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Academic Learning Compact

Consistent with its mission and guiding principles, Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to academic excellence and continuous quality improvement, as supported by a sound teaching-learning process. Within this process, students and instructors share responsibility for learning that is a movement from the simple to the complex, the concrete to the abstract, and the dependent to the independent. The Academic Learning Compact (ALC) initiative supports the teaching-learning process by clearly identifying expected core student learning outcomes in the areas of content/discipline knowledge and skills, communication skills, and critical thinking skills; aligning curricula with expectations; and using assessment to guide continuous improvement.

Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Find information sources (both primary and secondary) that facilitate high-quality political science research.
2. Integrate and apply political science perspectives when conducting research and reporting research results.
Content/Discipline Knowledge and Skills are assessed through essays, exams, and other projects completed in 3000 - 4000 level political science courses (CPO, INR, PAD, POS, POT, and PUP prefixes) and in the required POS 4936 Senior Seminar in Political Science.
Communication Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. In both written and spoken communication, provide appropriate and compelling information that establishes knowledge and credibility.
2. In both written and spoken communication, present arguments and evidence in an orderly, clear, and persuasive way.
3. Demonstrate a command of syntax, grammar, writing mechanics, and formatting conventions appropriate to social science academic writing.
Communication Skills are assessed through essays, exams, and other projects completed in 3000 - 4000 level political science courses (CPO, INR, PAD, POS, POT, and PUP prefixes) and in the required POS 4936 Senior Seminar in Political Science.
Critical Thinking Skills
Graduates will be able to:
1. Develop imaginative and informed perspectives on political problems that reflect an understanding of the problems’ complexities.
2. Analyze the assumptions and viewpoints of information sources, as well as demonstrate the ability to effectively question these.
3. Develop conclusions that are both insightful and logically related to other stages of the analytic process.
Critical Thinking Skills are assessed through essays, exams, and other projects completed in 3000 - 4000 level political science courses (CPO, INR, PAD, POS, POT, and PUP prefixes) and in the required POS 4936 Senior Seminar in Political Science.
Tuition, Fees, and Financial Assistance
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Tuition and Fees

Information on Tuition, Fees and estimated total Cost of Attendance is available on the Office of the Bursar web site.

Financial Aid Opportunities

Visit FGCU's Financial Aid Web site for information about grants, additional scholarships, loans, and student employment.
Preparing for Law School
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Undergraduate students interested in legal careers sometimes ask “.....what should I major in if I want to go to law school? Is Political Science a good major?”

Neither the American Bar Association (ABA), the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), nor any of the nation’s top law schools recommends a specific undergraduate major, pointing out that the nation’s top law schools admit students from almost every academic field. What they recommend instead is that pre-law students select a major that best inspires and sustains their academic interest, as well as develops key skills. These include skills in analysis and problem-solving, critical reading, writing, oral communication, general research, and task organization and management. The ABA and LSAC also recommend acquiring the following types of knowledge: a broad understanding of history; a fundamental understanding of political thought and of the contemporary American political system; basic mathematical and financial skills; an understanding of human behavior and social interaction; and an understanding of diverse cultures, institutions, and issues both within the United States and internationally. Because of the breadth of these recommended skills and knowledge areas, LSAC cautions that a narrowly based or vocationally oriented major may not be the best preparation for law school.

FGCU’s Political Science major is well suited for developing these diverse skills and areas of knowledge. So if you intend to someday apply to law school and you have a strong interest in politics, international relations, and political thought, Political Science is an excellent major for you.