Political Science
Mission Statement
The mission of the Political Science program is to educate students coming from diverse backgrounds in the understanding, knowledge, and practice of political science to prepare them for professional and administrative positions in the world of government and politics and/or to allow for students to pursue advanced degrees in political science, law, or other related disciplines.
The Political Science major earns successful candidates a Bachelor of Arts degree at Cumberland University and offers students a chance to explore the many fascinating topics in the field of Political Science, including how our national government functions, the interactions between all branches of government, and how world politics can impact our daily lives.
The ultimate goal of Cumberland's Political Science program is to graduate students with an understanding of the field, increased critical thinking skills, and strong connections to the various areas of the student's interest. It prepares undergraduate students for careers in areas such as law, government work, domestic and foreign policy, journalism, social work, and advocacy. The program will also prepare students for graduate study in fields such as law, business, public administration, and various law enforcement programs.
The Political Science faculty understand the complexities facing the world today. The country is divided in its thoughts; the world of politics changes on a daily basis with new concerns all across the globe. These courses are designed to get students to understand, from a governmental and political standpoint, what is happening in the world around them, comprehend what those events mean, and to think through issues and concerns critically.
Degree Requirements
Area I - Foundation Skills - 3 hours
| FSL 101 | Foundations of Scholarship and Learning | 3 |
| or | |
| HON 101 | First Year Honors Seminar | 3 |
FSL 101 is required for new and transferring students with less than 24 credit hours. Student must earn a "C" or higher in FSL 101 or HON 101.
Area I - Rhetoric and Communication - 9 hours
Students must earn a "C" or higher in ENG 101 and ENG 102 or HON 110.
Area I - Mathematics - 3-4 hours
Choose one from the following:
Area I - Computer Literacy - 3 hours
| CIS 170 | Introduction to Microcomputer Applications | 3 |
| or | |
| ED 190/CIS 190 | Introduction to Computers for Instruction | 3 |
Area II - The Arts - 3 hours
Choose one from the following:
Area II - Literature in English - 3 hours
Choose one from the following:
Area II - Social Sciences and Humanities - 6 hours
| POLSC 223 | Introduction to American National Government & Politics | 3 |
Students must earn a "C" or higher in POLSC 223.
AND choose one from the following:
Area II - History - 6 hours
Choose one sequence from the following:
| HIS 111 | History of Western Civilization I | 3 |
| and | |
| HIS 112 | History of Western Civilization II | 3 |
| or | |
| HIS 191 | World Civilization to 1500 | 3 |
| and | |
| HIS 192 | World Civilization since 1500 | 3 |
| or | |
| HIS 201 | History of the United States I | 3 |
| and | |
| HIS 202 | History of the United States II | 3 |
Area II - The Natural Sciences - 8 hours
Choose two different science disciplines from the following:
Political Science Core Courses - 30 hours
Students must earn a "C" or higher in all Political Science courses.
Political Science Electives - 9 hours
Choose nine hours from political science (POLSC) courses at the 300 level or higher.
Students must earn a "C" or higher in Political Science electives.
General Electives - 36-40 hours
Select sufficient courses from any academic discipline to bring the total hours for graduation to a minimum of 120.
General Education Core requirements (41-45 hours)
Political Science Core requirements (30 hours)
Political Science elective requirements (9 hours)
General elective requirements (36-40 hours)
120 minimum hours required for graduation.