The BS in Political Science is
granted upon completion of the University requirements for the
bachelor's degree and the requirements for the major. The BA is granted
when all the requirements for the bachelor's degree are met and the
student demonstrates intermediate level proficiency in a foreign
language. Please see
catalog for current list of course requirements.
MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
The
political science major requires 39 units, to be divided as follows:
A. Foundation Requirements
Three introductory courses from the following list for a total of 9
units. Only one can be at the 200 level.
POSC 101 - Introduction to
Political Science *
POSC 103 - American
National Government
POSC 105 - Governments of
the World
POSC 107 - Introduction to
International Relations *
POSC 207 - State and Local
Government
POSC 209 - Introduction to
Law
POSC 212 - Honors in Political Science
* The honors courses POSC 102 and POSC 108 can be
substituted for POSC 101 and POSC 107 respectively.
B. Research Requirements
All Student must take POSC 301 - Political
Research I
D. Elective Requirements:
Students must take four upper division political
science electives (12 units).Courses taken in section C cannot be used to fulfill this
requirement in Section D.No
more than 9 units (3courses) of special topics courses (POSC 470-479)
and internship credit (POSC 493) combined may be used to fulfill the
requirement ofsection D.All courses must be completed with a grade equivalent of 2.00 or
higher except POSC 465.
“Pass” will count only for POSC 465.
E. Seminar Requirement:
Students must take one of the following seminars in political science.Specific topics of the seminars vary from semester to semester.Students must have completed at least 15 units in political
science prior to taking the seminar.POSC 301 is also a prerequisite for each seminar course.Each seminar has its own additional prerequisites that are shown
in the course listing section ofthe catalog.
POSC 481
Seminar in American Government and Public Policy
POSC 482
Seminar in Comparative Politics
POSC 483 Seminar in International Relations
POSC 484
Seminar in Law & the Judicial System
POSC 485
Seminar in PoliticalTheory
POSC 486 Seminar in State & Local Government
COMBINED MAJOR IN
POLITICAL SCIENCE AND ECONOMICS
Completion of individual majors in Political Science and Economics
requires the successful completion of 72 units (39 in political science
and 33 in economics). However, by electing the combined major in
Political Science and Economics, students will be able to complete both
majors with a total of 60 units.Students interested in either of the combined majorsshould consult with an adviser in both departments to review
requirements.
In
political science, students must complete all requirements for the
major. However, they must substitute two upper-level courses (6 Units)
in economics toward fulfillment of the required fourcourses (12units) of upper division electives in Section D of the
political science major.See catalog for most recent listing of approved courses.
*Topic to be approved by the Chair of the Political Science Department.
In economics, students must complete all requirements
for the major.However, they
must substitute
two upper-level courses (6 units) in political science toward
fulfillment of the required four courses (12 units) of upper-division
economics electives:
See catalog for most recent listing of approved courses.
*Topic to be approved by the Chair of the Department of Economics.
COMBINED MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND GEOGRAPHY ANDENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING
Completion of individual majors in Political Science and Geography
requires the successful completion of 78 units (39 in political science,
39 in geography). However, by electing the combined major in Political
Science and Geography, students will be ableto complete both majors with a total of 68 units.Students interested in this combined major should consult with an
adviser in either department to review requirements.
In
Political Science, students must complete all requirements for the
major.However, they must
substitute two of the following upper-level courses (6 units) in
geography and environmental planning toward fulfillment of the four
courses (12 units) of upper division elective in Section D of the
political science major.
See catalog for most recent listing of approved courses.
*Topic to be approved by the Department of political Science
Electives (15 units)
Students may select 2 political science courses toward the fulfillment
of the required 5 courses (15 units) of lower/upper division geography
and environmental planning electives. In political science,
students may substitute 2 upper-level courses (6 units) in geography and
environmental planning toward the fulfillment of the required four
upper-level (12 units) in section D of the political science major.
See catalog for most recent listing of approved courses.
*Topics to be approved by the Department of Geography and Environmental
Planning.
COMBINED MAJOR
PROGRAMS WITH MASS COMMUNICATION AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Completion of combined majors in Political Science and
Communication Studies or Political Science and Mass Communication
requires the successful completion of 69 units.
Students interested in either of the double majors
should consult with advisers in both departments to review requirements.See catalog for most recent listing of approved courses.
COMBINED MAJOR IN
POLITICAL SCIENCE AND COMMUNICATION STUDIES
In Political Science, students must complete all
requirements for the major.
However, they must substitute two upper level courses (6 units) in
communication studies toward fulfillment of the required four courses
(12 units) of upper division elective in Section D of the political
science major.
In communication studies, students must
complete all requirements for the major.However, they must substitute two upper-level courses (6 units)
in political science toward fulfillment of the required three courses
(9units) of communication electives.
Students interested in either of the double majors
should consult with advisers in both departments to review requirements.See catalog for most recent listing of approved courses.
*Topic to be approved by the Department of Mass Communication and
Communication Studies.
COMBINED MAJOR IN POLITICAL SCEINCE AND MASS
COMMUNICATIONS
In political science, students mustcomplete all requirements for the major.However, they must substitute tow upper-level courses (6 units)
in mass communication toward fulfillment of the required four courses
(12 units) of upper division elective in Section D of the political
science major.See Catalog
for required courses.
*Topic to be approved by the Department ofPolitical Science
In mass communication, students must complete all requirements for the
major.However, they mustsubstitute two upper-level courses (6 units) in political science
toward fulfillment of the required seven courses (21units) of electives
in mass communication.See
catalog for required course listing.
*Topic to be approved by the department of Mass Communication and
Communication Studies.
TRANSFER
CREDIT POLICY
Students who transfer to Towson University in senior standing are
expected to complete a minimum of 15 units of upper-division political
science courses. Those who transfer below senior standing normally
will
be expected to complete 21 units of upper-division political science
courses at Towson University.
CAREERS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Political Science majors generally prepare themselves, at the
undergraduate
level, for careers in law, government (federal, state and local),
service
in public and private interest groups, business, and journalism and
the media, as well as research and teaching at various levels of the
education
system.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES Activities
In addition to its academic curriculum, the department offers
opportunities
providing a broad range of related experiences. Classes travel to
Annapolis and Washington, D.C., to observe first-hand the political
workings of government. The annual Earle T. Hawkins Symposium on
International Affairs brings to campus noted scholars to lecture on
topics
of contemporary relevance. Political Science majors are given the
opportunity to edit the Towson Journal of International Affairs, one
of
the few undergraduate academic journals in the United States.
Internships
An integral part of the Political Science curriculum is the
opportunity for
students to participate in an internship in their junior or senior
year.
Students are placed in all branches of government and at all levels of
government. Placements with the Maryland General Assembly or a
member of Congress are most common.
PRELAW ADVISING PROGRAM
Coordinator: Jack Fruchtman (Political Science)
OFFICE
Linthicum Hall 118B, 410-704-3350
www.towson.edu/polsci/prelaw
The Program
Students contemplating law school after graduation should make an
appointment with the university’s Prelaw adviser, Dr. Jack Fruchtman.
He can provide prospective students with a copy of the Towson Prelaw
Handbook, introduce them to the Prelaw Society, and offer advice
concerning
courses of study, preparation for the Law School Admission Test
(LSAT) and other matters pertaining to what students need for their
application to law school. In general, students should concentrate on
improving their reading, writing, speaking and thinking skills.
Dual Law Program
Towson University offers to qualified students the opportunity to
apply
to the early admission program at the University of Baltimore School
of
Law. Admission is not automatic but is contingent upon acceptance by
the University of Baltimore Law School, including review of LSAT
scores. Transfer to the UB law program can only take place at the end
of
a spring term. To qualify for entrance to the dual-degree program,
students
must fulfill the first three of the standards listed below; to qualify
for graduation from Towson University, they must also fulfill the
fourth
standard listed:
1. Completion of at least 91 units at TU with at least a 3.00 GPA
2. Completion of all TU General Education requirements
3. Completion of a major at TU with at least a 3.25 GPA in the major.
No
specific areas of study or disciplines are required for this program;
accordingly, students may choose majors in which they are most
interested.
4. Successful completion of 29 units at the University of Baltimore
School of Law, and of all other TU graduation requirements as listed
in the catalog under the heading Degree Requirements.
Subsequent completion of all requirements at the University of
Baltimore Law School is necessary in order to earn the J.D. degree
from
the University of Baltimore. Students interested in this program
should
contact the TU Prelaw adviser, Dr. Jack Fruchtman, in the Department
of Political Science.
8000 York Road | Towson, MD 21252 | 410-704-2000
