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Jul 04, 2025
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2025-2026 Gordon College Academic Catalog
Political Science (B.A.)
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Requirements
In consultation with a departmental advisor, every student will meet the core requirements. A minimum of 38 credits must be taken in the department including: American Politics
Four credits from the following: Comparative Politics
Four credits from the following: International Politics
Four credits from the following: Political Theory
Four credits from the following: Internship/Off-Campus Study
One of the following: - POL 425 - Internship in Government and Politics (2-6) (6 credits maximum for major)
- Approved academic experience outside the United States
- Approved off-campus academic program inside the United States, including CCCU programs (8 credits maximum applied to the major)
Additional requirements:
In addition to the requirements listed above, students must take sufficient elective credit in political science courses to reach the minimum of 38 credits required for the major. Students considering graduate study should take a modern language and a course in statistics for social science research. Concentrations
A concentration is optional. : For students interested in careers in law, policy analysis, and public administration. : For students who want to further their study of various means to furthering peace and mediating conflicts. Double Majors
Students with double majors must take a minimum of 34 credits in political science when it is declared as their second major. They may substitute an internship in their first major for the political science requirement. Double majors from philosophy are excused from the internship requirement. See program director for appropriate adjustments. Honors in Political Science
In exceptional cases, political science and international affairs majors may earn honors by researching and writing an honors thesis over the course of the senior year. Under the direction of a faculty advisor, candidates will develop a thesis proposal in the spring prior to the senior year and, with approval of the program, register for and complete 8 credits of independent research in the senior year (registered as POL 471 , POL 472 Research I, II). For honors, the thesis must be of high quality and sufficient scope, and must be defended orally before department faculty toward the end of spring term in senior year. The minimum GPA for honors candidates is 3.50; depending on the topic, substantial cognate coursework may be required junior and senior years. An honors thesis should be considered by students intending to complete advanced degrees in political science or international affairs. See program faculty for details. |
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