Department of Political Science
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
www.uni.edu/polisci
Staff:
P. Mauceri, Head. P. Agbese, K. Basom, R. Hays, D. Hoffman, J. Holmes, A. Kogl, C. Larimer, M. Licari, R. McNeal, D. Moore, C. Peters, D. Vajpeyi, T. Yu
The Department of Political Science offers the following undergraduate programs and program certificates. Specific requirements for these programs are listed within this Department of Political Science section in the following order:
Undergraduate Majors (B.A.)
Political Communication (also listed in Department of Communication Studies)
Political Science - Liberal Arts
Minors
International Affairs - Liberal Arts
Political Science - Liberal Arts
Program Certificates
Certificate in International Peace and Security
Certificate in State and Local Government
Bachelor of Arts Degree Programs
Political Communication Major
The Political Communication major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required core: |
|
6 hours |
|
Journalism: 48J:002 |
3 hours |
6 hours |
|
History: 961:116 |
3 hours |
Geography: 970:114 |
3 hours |
Internship Communication: 48C:197 or Political Science: 940:181 |
4 hours |
Emphases (select two areas of focus with 6 hours from each area) |
12 hours |
Total |
37 hours |
Focus Area 1: State and Local Public Affairs (6 hours)
Political Science: 942:048; 942:131; 942:132
Focus Area 2: Political Campaigns and Elections (6 hours)
Political Science: 942:112; 942:134; 942:150; 942:151
Focus Area 3: International Affairs (6 hours)
Political Science: 943:119; 943:143; 943:145
Geography: 970:116
Focus Area 4: International Communication (6 hours)
Communication: 48C:151
Journalism: 48J:151
Public Relations: 48P:170
Focus Area 5: Decision-Making (6 hours)
Communication: 48C:128/CAP:128; 48C:148; 48C:178
Focus Area 6: Political Discourse (6 hours)
Communication: 48C:113; 48C:123; 48C:174
Sociology: 980:138
Focus Area 7: Media Analysis (6 hours)
Electronic Media: 48E:021; 48E:131; 48E:139; 48E:141; 48E:161
Political Science Major - Liberal Arts
The Political Science-Liberal Arts major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
Political Science: 940:010; 941:050; 942:014; 943:024; 944:040 |
15 hours |
Students must take at least one upper-level course in each of the four sub-fields of political science: Political Theory: 941:1XX American Politics: 942:1XX International Relations: 943:1XX Comparative Politics: 944:1XX |
3 hours 3 hours 3 hours 3 hours |
Students must take one Senior Seminar in Political Science: 940:184 |
3 hours |
Electives in political science |
9 hours |
Total |
39* hours |
*Not more than 9 semester hours of political science taken within the International Affairs minor or Politics and Law minor may also be counted for credit on this major.
Political Science Major - Teaching (Extended Program)
The Political Science-Teaching major requires a minimum of 129-135 total hours to graduate (depending on the minor chosen). This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements , the Professional Education Requirements, and the following specified major requirements to complete the minimum of 129-135 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
4 hours |
|
3 hours |
|
Political Science: 940:010; 941:050;942:014; 942:131 or 942:132; 942:134 or 942:151; 943:024; 944:040 |
21 hours |
Electives in American politics |
9 hours |
Total |
37 hours* |
A teaching minor is required in one of the social sciences.
*Not more than 9 semester hours of political science taken within the International Affairs minor or Politics and Law minor may also be counted for credit on a political science major or minor (teaching or non-teaching).
Public Administration Major
The Public Administration major requires a minimum of 120 total hours to graduate. This total includes Liberal Arts Core requirements and the following specified major requirements, plus electives to complete the minimum of 120 hours. Liberal Arts Core courses included in major program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
Political Science: 940:010; 940:111; 942:014; 942:048; 942:153; 942:172; 942:173; 942:174; 942:188 |
27 hours |
Internship: 940:181 |
4-8 hours |
Areas of concentration: choose one of the following focus areas |
9 hours |
Total |
40-44 hours |
Focus Area 1 - Economics and Finance (select 3 courses)
Economics: 920:053; 920:054; 920:117*; 920:125*; 920:148
Political Science: 940:176
Focus Area 2 - Community and Regional Development (select 3 courses)
Political Science: 940:176; 942:131; 942:171**
Geography: 970:117; 970:164; 970:168; 970:174
Criminology: 982:153***
Focus Area 3 - Human Resources (select 3 courses)
Management: 15A:153^; 150:165; 150:166
Psychology: 400:157****; 400:158****
Social Work: 450:163*****
Communication Studies: 48C:132
Political Science: 940:173
*920:053 and 920:054 are prerequisites for this course. Both 920:053 and 920:054 may substitute for 920:024 which will satisfy Category 5B of the Liberal Arts Core.
**942:014 and 942:132 are prerequisites for this course.
***980:001 and 982:022 are prerequisites for this course.
****400:001 is a prerequisite for these courses.
*****980:001 is a prerequisite for this course.
^15A:153 is the designated course number for non-business majors who need to take 150:153.
Minors
International Affairs Minor - Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
The International Affairs minor is composed of 21 hours in political science and related disciplines. The requirements are as follows:
Required: |
|
6 hours |
|
At least two of the following Economics***: 920:136 Political Science: 943:119; 943:120; 943:125; 943:126; 943:127; 943:129; 943:143; 943:145; 944:121; 943:123 |
6 hours |
At least one of the following Political Science: 944:135; 944:162; 944:164; 944:165; 944:167 |
3 hours |
Two of the following*; any additional electives of the courses listed above OR Communication: 48C:151 Journalism: 48J:151 Spanish: 780:120; 780:123; 780:152 Portuguese: 790:123 Economics***: 920:143; 920:175 History: 963:154; 963:157; 963:160; 963:169; 963:170; 963:172; 963:174; 964:175; 964:175; 964:180; 964:182; 964:187 Geography: 970:114; 970:116; 970:141 Anthropology: 990:162 |
6 hours |
Total |
21 hours** |
*This requirement may also be met by an internship approved by the Department of Political Science. Furthermore, students who have successfully completed four semesters at the college level of any foreign language, with at least a 2.00 GPA, or demonstrate an equivalent competency level can apply three credit hours toward the fulfillment of this requirement.
**No more than 9 hours of political science for this minor can also be counted toward a teaching or non-teaching major in political science.
***920:053 and 920:054 are prerequisites to all 100-level economic courses. Either 920:024 or both 920:053 and 920:054 will satisfy Category 5B of the Liberal Arts Core.
Political Science Minor - Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
Political Science: 940:010; 941:050; 942:014; 943:024; 944:040 |
15 hours |
Electives in political science |
3 hours |
Total |
18 hours* |
*Not more than 9 semester hours of political science taken within the International Affairs minor or Politics and Law minor may also be counted for credit on a political science major or minor (teaching or non-teaching).
Political Science Minor - Teaching
Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
Required: |
|
4 hours |
|
Political Science: 940:050; 942:014; 942:131 or 942:132; 942:134 or 942:151; 943:024; 944:040 |
18 hours |
Electives in American politics |
6 hours |
Total |
28 hours* |
*Not more than 9 semester hours of political science taken within the International Affairs minor or Politics and Law minor may also be counted for credit on a political science major or minor (teaching or non-teaching).
Politics and Law Minor
Liberal Arts Core courses included in minor program requirements are distinguished by italics.
The Politics and Law minor is intended to provide students with a general understanding of American legal institutions and how these institutions interact andinfluence our policy. The program equips students with a facility in legal reasoning and logic.
Required: |
|
Philosophy: 650:045 |
3 hours |
9 hours |
|
Two of the following: Management: 150:105 |
6 hours |
One of the following: Management: 150:101 Psychology: 400:070 Philosophy: 652:172 |
3 hours |
Total |
21 hours |
Prerequisites:
*982:128 prerequisite: 980:001
**982:131 prerequisites: 980:001; 982:022
***982:132 prerequisites: 982:022; 982:025
Not more than 9 semester hours of political science for this minor can count toward a teaching or non-teaching major in political science.
Program Certificates
The University of Northern Iowa makes available, in addition to traditional programs, the opportunity for students to earn program certificates. Program certificates provide an alternative to programs leading to a degree, a major, or a minor; they certify that an individual has completed a program approved by the university. For information on the following program certificates, contact the Department of Political Science or the Office of the Registrar, which serves as the centralized registry.
Certificate in International Peace and Security
The Certificate in International Peace and Security is designed to provide a specialized and in-depth knowledge of theories, concepts and evidence about issures of conflict and peace in world politics. Students will develop analytical and practical skills on matters of diplomacy and conflict resolution, coupled with a breadth of understanding about contemporary issues, about the different types and forms of international violence that exist, as well as the causes of and solutions to such conflict.
This certificate complements UNI-s Center for International Peace and Security Studies (CIPSS), and is meant to foster interdisciplinary study. If your career goals are in foreign service, public or private sector conflict mediation, international business and risk assessment, homeland security or military service, this certificate program will be an invaluable benefit to your education. Any student seeking advanced study in international security, or who wishes to foster peace and understand war, is eligible and will find this intensive program rewarding.
Required: |
|
6 hours |
|
Electives (choose minimum 9 hours from the following) Communication: 48C:151 International Relations: 943:127; 943:129; 943:143; 943:145 Comparative Politics: 944:121 Geography: 970:116 Sociology: 980:102 |
9 hours |
Total |
15 hours |
Certificate in State and Local Government
The Certificate in State and Local Government is designed to provide a specific set of skills to any student at UNI looking to work in state or local government. This certificate blends theoretical and practical knowledge to provide the flexibility to solve some of the problems facing these governments.
If your career goals include public finance, economic development, community development and planning, or state and local politics, a Certificate inState and Local Government will help link your education to your career.
A Certificate in State and Local Government will also help students who want to work in public agencies such as school administration, city management, public health, social services, or public safety.
Required: |
|
6 hours |
|
Electives (choose minimum 9 courses from the following) Communication: 48C:160 Economics: 920:148*** American Politics: 942:132; 942:153; 942:171*; 942:172**; 942:173*** Criminology: 982:153**** |
9 hours |
Total |
15 hours |
Prerequisites are as follows:
*942:171 prerequisites: 942:014; 942:132
**942:172 and 942:173 prerequisites: 942:014; 942:048
***920:148 prerequisites; 920:053 and 920:054, consent of instructor. 920:053 and 920:054 are prerequisties to all 100-level economics courses. Either 920:024 or both 920:053 and 920:054 will satisfy Category 5B of the Liberal Arts Core.
****982:153 prerequisites: 980:001; 982:022