Minor in Political Science

Students in the Minor in Political Science select a concentration within which they fulfill their coursework. Minor concentrations include: Political Science (General), American Politics, Comparative Politics, Foreign Policy Analysis, Political Economy, and Political Thought. 

Program Requirements and Policies

  • For the Minor in Political Science, students must take at least five political science courses and 15 or more Semester Hour Units (SHUs). At least three of these courses must be taken on the Medford campus. 
  • Only courses with 3 SHUs or more can count toward the Minor in Political Science. All courses must be taken as a graded course and students must receive a grade of C- or higher.
  • Not more than two courses counted toward any major (or towards foundation or distribution requirements) may also be counted toward fulfillment of a minor. This is particularly important for International Relations majors who wish to minor in Political Science. 
  • Political Science minors are not assigned an advisor. Students with questions about the minors program should see the department's Minor representative.

Course Requirements

To ensure coherence in the minor, students must take their courses within one of the following concentrations:

  • Political Science (General):
    One course from each of the department's four subfields, American Politics, International Relations, Political Theory (must be PS 41 or 42), and Comparative Politics, and any fifth political science course.
  • American Politics:
    PS 11, and any three courses from those listed under this heading in the catalogue (numbered 100-119 [but not 103] and 190-197), or in the supplementary course listing put out each semester, and any fifth political science course (can include 103).
  • Comparative Politics:
    PS 21, and any three courses from those listed under this heading in the catalogue (numbered 121-139), or in the supplementary course listing put out each semester, and any fifth political science course.
  • Foreign Policy Analysis:
    PS 61, and any three courses from those listed under the international relations heading in the catalogue (numbered 160-189), or in the supplementary course listing put out each semester, or PS 101, and any fifth political science course.
  • Political Economy:
    Four courses from among PS 118-02: American Conservatism*, 124, 125, 130, 133, 138-09: Political Economy of Developing Countries*, 138-10: Politics of Oil*, 138-11: Political Economy of India*, 139-04: Islam and Democracy in the Modern Middle East*, 176, 182.
    * Section numbers are subject to change.
  • Political Thought:
    Four courses from those listed under this heading in the catalogue (numbered 41-43 and 140-159), including at least one introductory course (PS 41 or 42), and any fifth political science course.

Download Minor Checklist