Political Science (POLS) Major

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Gordon Tolle, Program Coordinator, Political Sciences
Department of History and Political Science
Scobey Hall 304
605-688-4912
e-mail: gordon.tolle@sdstate.edu

Requirements for Political Science Major:

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Arts and Sciences

Freshman Year:

Fall

SGR Goal 3: Social Sciences (not POLS) Credits: 3*
SGR Goal 6: Natural Sciences (Physical Science: CHEM, GEOG, PHYS, or PS) (B.S. Only) Credits: 4*
SGR Goal 6: Natural Sciences (B.A. Only) Credits: 3-4*

POLS 100 - American Government * ** (COM) Credits: 3

Fall or Spring

Modern Language* 101 and 102 (B.A. only) Credits: 4*
SGR Goal 5: Mathematics Credits: 3*
IGR Goal 2: Personal Wellness Credits: 2**

ENGL 101 - Composition I * Credits: 3
SPCM 101* - Fundamentals of Speech (COM) Credits: 3
OR, approved SGR alternative

Spring

POLS 100 or 200 level elective Credits: 3
SGR Goal 3: Social Sciences (not POLS) Credits: 3*
SGR Goal 6: Natural Sciences (Physical Science: CHEM, GEOG, PHYS, or PS) (B.S. Only) Credits: 4*
SGR Goal 6: Natural Sciences (B.A. Only) Credits: 3-4*

Sophomore Year:

Fall

POLS 100-200 level electives, including POLS 253 (G) Credits: 3
SGR Goal 4: Humanities and Arts Credits: 3*
IGR Goal 1: Land and Natural Resources (Biological Science: BIOL, BOT, MICR, NFS, WL) (B.S. Only) Credits: 3**
See note below
Electives (consider Education emphasis, Second Major, or Minor) Credits: 3

Fall or Spring

Modern Language 201 and 202 (B.A. only) Credits:3
IGR Goal 1: Land and Natural Resources (B.A. Only) Credits: 3**
See note below

ENGL 201 - Composition II * Credits: 3

Spring

POLS 100-200 level electives, including POLS 253 (G) Credits: 3
SGR Goal 4: Humanities and Arts Credits: 3*
IGR Goal 1: Land and Natural Resources (Biological Science: BIOL, BOT, MICR, NFS, WL) (B.S. Only) Credits: 3**
See note below
Electives (consider Education emphasis, Second Major, or Minor) Credits: 3

Junior Year:

Fall

POLS 300-400 level, including either POLS 461 (AW) or POLS 462 (AW) Credits: 6-12
See note below
IGR Goal 3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness (B.S. only) Credits: 3**
Electives (consider Education emphasis, Second Major, or Minor) Credits: 3-9

Fall or Spring

IGR Goal 3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness (B.A. only) (not POLS) Credits: 3**

Spring

POLS 300-400 level, including either POLS 461 (AW) or POLS 462 (AW) Credits: 6-9
See note below
IGR Goal 3: Social Responsibility/Cultural and Aesthetic Awareness (B.S. only) Credits: 3**
Electives (consider Education emphasis, Second Major, or Minor) Credits: 3-9

Senior Year:

Fall

POLS 300-400 level Credits: 6-12
Electives 100-400 level (consider Education emphasis, Second Major or Minor) Credits: 0-9

Spring

POLS 300-400 level Credits: 6-9
Electives 100-400 level (consider Education emphasis, Second Major or Minor) Credits: 6-16

Note:

The B.S. in Arts and Sciences requires six credits of biological science and eight credits of physical science. Six of the combined 14 credits must be from the SGR, and two credits must be from IGR Goal 1. The B.A. in Arts and Sciences requires a total of eight credits of natural science. Six credits must be from SGR Natural Science and two credits must be from the IGR Goal 1.

Curriculum Notes:

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has an 8-9 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.