Program Overview

Introduction to the Political Science Program

The Political Science program at the University of California, Irvine, offers students a comprehensive exploration of how politics functions at various levels, including individual, group, national, and international. Through a combination of coursework and research opportunities, students develop analytical thinking and clear writing skills, preparing them for a wide range of professional fields.

Program Overview

The program introduces students to the findings and methods of gathering information about political behavior and processes. Upper-division courses are organized around general areas of study, including:

• American society and politics
• Comparative politics
• International relations
• Public law
• Political theory

Students have numerous opportunities to pursue special topics in political science through independent study courses, field studies, the department's honors program, and internships. Many political science majors participate in programs such as the UCDC Internship Program in Washington, D.C., and the University's Education Abroad Program.

Departmental Requirements for the Major

To major in the program, students must meet the University Requirements and the School Requirements, which include completing 12 courses (48 units) as specified below:

Lower-Division Courses

• Select four lower-division POL SCI courses from the following:
  • POL SCI 11A: Introduction to Political Science: Political Analysis
  • POL SCI 21A: Introduction to American Government
  • POL SCI 31A: Introduction to Political Theory
  • POL SCI 41A: Introduction to International Relations
  • POL SCI 51A: Introduction to Politics Around the World
  • POL SCI 61A: Introduction to Race and Ethnicity in Political Science
  • POL SCI 71A: Introduction to Law
• Complete any one additional lower-division POL SCI course (not used above) (4 units)

Upper-Division Courses

• Seven upper-division POL SCI courses (28 units) chosen from among the POL SCI modules numbered 120179. Three of these courses must be from one module, including:
  • American Politics and Government (POL SCI 120-129)
  • Political Theory and Methods (POL SCI 130-139)
  • International Relations (POL SCI 140-149)
  • Comparative Politics (POL SCI 150-159)
  • Public Law (POL SCI 170-179)

Honors Program

The Honors Program in Political Science is open to all senior political science majors who meet the minimum academic qualifications (3.5 GPA in political science courses and 3.2 GPA overall). Students submit an application to the department office before the end of their junior year. In addition to satisfying the requirements for the major in political science, honors program participants must complete additional coursework, including:

• Identifying a Department of Political Science core faculty member to supervise their thesis
• Taking an upper-division political science course or a POL SCI 199 Independent Study course with the advisor prior to their senior year
• Enrolling in the Honors Thesis Workshop (POL SCI H182A) during the fall quarter of their senior year
• Enrolling in three quarters of the senior thesis independent study course with their advisor (two quarters of POL SCI 190 and one quarter of POL SCI 190W in the spring quarter)

Upon successful completion of the program, including approval of their senior honors thesis by the faculty advisor and a GPA of at least 3.5 in their political science courses, students will graduate with honors in Political Science, and their transcripts will note that they were in the Honors Program in Political Science.