Political science is the study of governments, political processes, public policies and political behavior by groups or individuals and is an ideal major for students with a passion for current events.
At UWM, students take coursework from four broad areas of political science in order to obtain a well-rounded education in the field: American politics, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. Along with exploring these substantive areas, students strengthen their research, writing, and critical thinking skills. With this background, students leave UWM ready to enter graduate school or the world of work in government, international organizations, campaigns, business, consulting, nonprofits, and many other industries. This broad major is available entirely online, or students can mix-and-match and take a some online and some traditional classes.
Many students find that a degree in Political Science aligns well with their interest in law and their plans to attend law school after college. We offer a large number of courses in constitutional law and legal practice in society, and students can focus their electives around these as part of the Law Studies option within the Political Science major. Students planning for law school also often participate in our law sports programs such as intercollegiate moot court and intercollegiate mock trial.
Internships are encouraged for all majors, and opportunities can be found locally as well as in Washington DC.
Since 1966, students from all UW System campuses and other universities have participated in the United Nations Summer Seminar. This five-week, six-credit program is partially held at United Nations Headquarters in Manhattan. The four weeks in New York include special access to U.N. facilities and intensive interaction with over 40 experts representing governments and international organizations.
Course of Study – Bachelor of Arts Degree
Complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 36 of the 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300) courses.
The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major. The College also requires that students complete at least 30 credits overall in residence at UWM. For additional residency and transfer credit limitations, see L&S Undergraduate Policies and Regulations.
Students are also required to complete University-wide General Education Requirements and the specific L&S requirements listed below.
To complete a major, students must satisfy all the requirements of the major as stated in this catalog. Students who declare their majors within five years of entering the UW System as a degree candidate may satisfy the requirements outlined in any catalog issued since the time they entered. Credits used to satisfy the major also may be used to satisfy other degree requirements.
University General Education Requirements (GER)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Oral and Written Communication | ||
| Part A | ||
| Achieve a grade of C or better in the following course: | ||
| ENGLISH 102 | College Writing and Research (or equivalent) | |
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as OWC-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Quantitative Literacy | ||
| Part A | ||
| Earn at least 3 credits with a grade of C or higher in one of the following courses or an equivalent course, or achieve a placement code of at least 30 on the mathematics placement test (or other appropriate test, as determined by the Mathematical Sciences Department) | ||
| Mathematical Literacy for College Students II | ||
| Contemporary Applications of Mathematics | ||
| Introduction to College Algebra | ||
| Algebraic Literacy II | ||
| Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning 1 | ||
or PHILOS 111 | Introduction to Logic - Critical Reasoning | |
| College Algebra | ||
Or equivalent course | ||
| Part B | ||
| Course designated as QL-B; may be completed through a major-specific course requirement | ||
| Arts | ||
| Select 3 credits | 3 | |
| Humanities | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Social Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits | 6 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| Select 6 credits (at least two courses including one lab) | 6 | |
| UWM Foreign Language Requirement | ||
| Complete Foreign Language Requirement through: | ||
Two years (high school) of a single foreign language | ||
Two semesters (college) of a single foreign language | ||
Or equivalent | ||
| UWM Cultural Diversity Requirement | ||
| One course from the Arts, Humanities, or Social Sciences must also satisfy UWM's Cultural Diversity requirement | ||
- 1
Math 111 and Philosophy 111 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another. Students cannot receive credit for both courses.
College of Letters & Science Requirements
The degree requirements in the College of Letters and Science build on the University General Education Requirements to provide a broad base of knowledge as well as an array of skills cited by employers as critical to professional success: critical thinking, problem solving, oral and written communication, ability to work well with others, and adaptability to change.
For the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), you must complete the UWM General Education Requirements as well as these L&S requirements: the International requirement, the Breadth requirement, and the Research requirement. The International requirement develops your potential for cross-cultural understanding in a globalizing world. The Breadth requirement ensures that you take classes in a wide variety of subjects, across humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. The Research requirement calls for you to build your critical thinking and oral and written communication skills through conducting an independent research project, usually in your major.
For the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) you will also complete the Language other than English requirement, to further develop your understanding of cultures through language.
I. Total Credits and Upper-Division Courses Requirement
Students must complete 120 credits including 75 credits in the College of Letters & Science and with 36 of the 75 credits in L&S upper-level (numbered above 300) courses.
II. Language other than English Requirement
Students doing the BA must fulfill the language other than English requirement by either successfully completing the fourth semester of university work or equivalent in one language other than English, or by successfully completing the second semester of university work or equivalent in two languages other than English (including all world languages and American Sign Language).
Language courses (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement. One year of high school language equates to one semester of college work. Proficiency tests approved by the Languages faculty may be used to satisfy all or part of this requirement.
Completion of the L&S Language Requirement also satisfies the university-wide Language other than English GER, but not vice versa.
III. International Requirement
To meet the International Requirement, students must successfully complete some three course (minimum 9 credits) combination of
- language other than English (not including American Sign Language) at 3rd semester level or above, and/or
- non-language courses with L&S approved international content (see Courses Approved for the L&S International Requirement for course options).
IV. Breadth Requirement
In addition to completing the University General Education Requirements, L&S students must complete the Breadth requirement.
The L&S Breadth requirement calls for 6 credits each in L&S courses designated L&S Humanities, L&S Natural Sciences, and L&S Social Sciences breadth. One of the L&S Natural Science breadth courses must be a laboratory or fieldwork course. These courses must be beyond and in addition to courses in those areas used to satisfy General Education Requirements.
Please refer to the list of Courses Approved for the L&S Breadth Requirement.
V. The Major
The College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all major credits attempted, including any transfer work. Individual departments or programs may require higher GPAs for graduation. Some departmental majors require courses from other departments. Contact your major department for information on whether those credits will count as part of the major GPA. The College requires that students must complete in residence at UWM at least 15 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 or above) courses in their major.
Research Requirement
Within their majors, students must complete a research experience approved by the L&S faculty. A list of courses satisfying the research requirement in each major can be found here.
VI. The Minor
Students are encouraged to consider completing a minor, but it is not required. To complete a minor, the College of Letters and Science requires that students attain at least a 2.0 GPA in all credits in the minor attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.0 GPA on all minor credits attempted, including any transfer work. The minor must contain at least 9 credits in upper-division (numbered 300 and above) courses.
Political Science Major Requirements
Majors must attain a 2.0 GPA in all political science courses, including any transfer work, and a 2.0 GPA in political science courses taken at UWM. Majors are required to complete a minimum of 30 credits in political science, of which at least 15 must be in upper-division courses (numbered 300 or above) taken in residence at UWM. The following courses must be included among those taken for major credit:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Requirement | ||
| POL SCI 104 | Introduction to American Government and Politics | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Politics of the World's Nations | ||
| Methods Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Political Science Research | ||
| Political Data Analysis | ||
| Survey Research | ||
| Requirements: Areas of Political Science | ||
| Select at least one course beyond the 100 level in each of the following four areas of political science: | 12 | |
| American Politics | ||
| State Politics | ||
| Multicultural America: Minority Voting Rights and Representation | ||
| Introduction to Public Service | ||
| American Public Policy | ||
| Urban Government and Politics | ||
| Ethnicity, Religion and Race in American Politics | ||
| Environmental Politics | ||
| Public Administration | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| Topics in American Politics: | ||
| Cyberpolitics 1 | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| Law Through Popular Culture | ||
| Constitutional Law: Government Powers and Federalism | ||
| Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties | ||
| The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Immigration | ||
| Judicial Politics | ||
| The Supreme Court | ||
| Constitutional Interpretation | ||
| Party Politics in America | ||
| Women in Politics | ||
| Congressional Politics | ||
| Urban Political Problems | ||
| Administrative Law | ||
| Sex, Gender, and the Law | ||
| Elections and Voting Behavior | ||
| Problems in Law Studies: | ||
| Public Opinion | ||
| Political Psychology | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Politics of the World's Nations | ||
| Russian and Post-Soviet Politics | ||
| The Politics of Authoritarian Regimes | ||
| Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | ||
| Politics of Revolution in Developing Nations | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| The Arab-Israeli Conflict | ||
| African Politics | ||
| Seminar in Comparative Politics: | ||
| Comparative Political Systems | ||
| Korean Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | ||
| Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict | ||
| Health, Wealth, and Democracy | ||
| Elections in the Modern World | ||
| International Politics | ||
| Introduction to International Relations | ||
| Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | ||
| International Law | ||
| The Politics of International Economic Relations | ||
| International Organization and the United Nations | ||
| Seminar in International Relations: | ||
| Politics of Nuclear Weapons | ||
| Asian International Relations | ||
| Korean Politics and Foreign Policy 2 | ||
| Problems of American Foreign Policy | ||
| Theories and Methods in International Politics | ||
| International Conflict | ||
| Morality, Conflict and War | ||
| Current Crises and Events in International Relations | ||
| Conduct of American Foreign Affairs | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Sex and Power | ||
| Great Issues of Politics | ||
| Classics of Political Theory | ||
| History of International Political Thought | ||
| The Development of Western Political Thought | ||
| Modern Political Thought | ||
| Environmental Political Theory | ||
| The Philosophy of Law | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Contemporary Political Theory | ||
| Politics and Philosophy: | ||
| Research Experience | 3 | |
| Select one from the list below. 3 | ||
| The Politics of Authoritarian Regimes | ||
| Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| Seminar in International Relations: | ||
| Korean Politics and Foreign Policy | ||
| History of International Political Thought | ||
| International Conflict | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| The Politics of Race, Ethnicity and Immigration | ||
| Judicial Politics | ||
| The Supreme Court | ||
| Women in Politics | ||
| Congressional Politics | ||
| Sex, Gender, and the Law | ||
| Elections and Voting Behavior | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 6 credits from any of the above. | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
- 1
Depending on instructor, may satisfy American Politics or International Relations area requirement, but not both.
- 2
May be used to satisfy Comparative Politics or International Politics but not both.
- 3
Satisfies the L&S requirement for a research experience in the major; should be taken in the last year of study.
Course of Study: Law Studies Option
Students may emphasize the study of law within the major by completing, in conjunction with or in addition to all of the requirements outlined above, the courses listed below as part of the 30 credits required for the major. Some of the courses below also satisfy the requirement of 3 credits above the 100 level in each area of Political Science.
Law Studies Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| POL SCI 250 | Law and Society 4 | 3 |
| POL SCI 411 | Constitutional Law: Government Powers and Federalism 4 | 3 |
| POL SCI 412 | Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties 4 | 3 |
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| International Law 5 | ||
| The Philosophy of Law 6 | ||
| Law Through Popular Culture 4 | ||
| Judicial Politics 4 | ||
| The Supreme Court 4 | ||
| Constitutional Interpretation 4 | ||
| Administrative Law 4 | ||
| Sex, Gender, and the Law 4 | ||
| Problems in Law Studies: 4 | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 4
Satisfies the American politics requirement.
- 5
Satisfies the international politics requirement.
- 6
Satisfies the political theory requirement.
Political Science BA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a BA in Political Science will be able to:
- Evaluate arguments, interpret complex documents, analyze political phenomena, theories, and policies using relevant concepts, methods, and evidence. (Critical Analysis)
- Develop research skills, including the ability to formulate research questions, gather and evaluate information from diverse sources, use technology responsibly and judiciously and communicate their findings effectively. (Research Skills)
- Communicate complex political ideas and arguments clearly and persuasively, both in writing and orally, to diverse audiences. (Effective Communication)
- Engage in the major debates that have shaped the study of comparative politics, international relations, American politics and political theory. (Fluency in the language of Political Science)
Letters & Science Advising
During your time at UWM, you may have multiple members of your success team, including advisors, peer mentors and success coaches. Letters & Science students typically work with at least two different types of advisors as they pursue their degrees: professional college advisors and faculty advisors. L&S college advisors advise across your entire degree program while departmental faculty advisors focus on the major.
College advisors are located in Holton Hall (or virtually for online students) and serve as your primary advisor. They are your point person for your questions about navigating college and completing your degree. College advisors will:
- Assist you in defining your academic and life goals.
- Help you create an educational plan that is consistent with those goals.
- Assist you in understanding curriculum, major and degree requirements for graduation, as well as university policies and procedures.
- Provide you with information about campus and community resources and refer you to those resources as appropriate.
- Monitor your progress toward graduation and completion of requirements.
Faculty advisors mentor students in the major and assist them in maximizing their development in the program. You will begin working with a faculty advisor when you declare your major. Faculty advisors are an important partner and will:
- Help you understand major requirements and course offerings in the department.
- Explain opportunities for internships and undergraduate research and guide you in obtaining those experiences.
- Serve as an excellent resource as you consider potential graduate programs and career paths in your field.
Students are encouraged to meet with both their college advisor and faculty advisor at least once each semester. Appointments are available in-person, by phone or by video.
Currently enrolled students should use the Navigate360 website to make an appointment with your assigned advisor or call (414) 229-4654 if you do not currently have an assigned Letters & Science advisor. Prospective students who haven't enrolled in classes yet should call (414) 229-7711 or email let-sci@uwm.edu.
Honors and High Honors in the Major
Departmental honors are awarded upon graduation to students who achieve a 3.500 GPA overall in all UWM courses attempted, in their political science major courses, and in upper-division political science courses. Students meeting these GPA requirements will be slated automatically for graduating with honors in the major.
Students who meet the GPA requirement and wish to be considered for departmental high honors should request that the faculty member supervising their substantial research paper nominate them for high honors. The supervising faculty member will decide if the student should be recommended to the high honors committee, which is composed of three political science faculty members. The committee will determine if the quality of the nominee's paper is sufficient to earn the high honors designation and, if so, will bestow the high honors accordingly. Note that a student interested in receiving high honors must contact a Political Science faculty member to be considered; high honors are not bestowed automatically.
Questions about honors designations can be directed to any of the Political Science faculty advisors.
College of Letters and Science Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.