Department of Political Science

• Offer strong major programs: the B. A. in Political Science; the B. S. in Public Administration and the B. A. in International Affairs (interdisciplinary).
• Offer strong minor programs: political science, public administration, political communication (interdisciplinary) and criminal justice (interdisciplinary).
• Enhance critical-thinking, communication and information gathering skills.
• 
  Career Opportunities
  The political science department offers programs that lead students to careers in the following fields:
  • Administration and management
  • Criminal justice
  • Federal, state and local government
  • International organizations
  • Law
  • Not-for-profit organizations
  • Politics
  • Private sector
  To enhance the marketability of its students, the Political Science Department supports career-related internships. For information contact the political science office, Maury Hall 118, (540) 568-6149 or contact hastedgp@jmu.edu.
  
  
  Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
  • Lambda Alpha Epsilon: criminal justice professional fraternity
  • Pi Alpha Alpha: public administration honor society
  • Pi Sigma Alpha: political science honor society
  • Pre-Law Society
  • Sigma Iota Rho: international affairs honor society
  Special Admission Requirements
  Admission to JMU does not guarantee admission to the Department of Political Science. Students may enter JMU as Ňpre majorsÓ in Political Science or Public Administration and then apply to become majors later. A limited number of spaces will be available in each major. The exact number will be determined each year and is based on the ability of the department to provide a quality educational experience for its majors. It will reflect factors such as the number of students who are graduating and the size of the faculty. As part of this enrollment management program, the minors in political science and pubic administration are suspended.
  
  Required pre major courses and the procedures for becoming a major are available on the department Web site at http://www.jmu.edu/polisci/Admissions/.
  
  
  Majors in the Department of Political Science
  The Department of Political Science offers the B. A. degree with a major in political science, the B.S. degree with a major in public administration and the B.A. degree with a major in international affairs.
  
  
  Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
  For a major in political science, the student must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 32 credit hours, including
  
  • A 14-hour core introducing students to career opportunities, the conduct of political inquiry in the major areas of the discipline, an awareness of global issues and cultural diversity and the techniques of original research.
  • A 15-hour depth requirement in which students take at least one course from three of the major areas of political inquiry and acquire additional experience in the application of research techniques.
  • A four-hour capstone experience designed to bring together knowledge gained in different courses into a coherent whole, to foster a capacity for lifelong learning, to connect the major to experiences outside the university and to provide the opportunity to work individually with a faculty member.
  Please direct questions about the political science major to Dr. Scott Hammond, Maury Hall 219, (540) 568-6313, hammonsj@jmu.edu
  
  Degree Requirements
  
  

  	Credit Hours
  General Education1	41
  Foreign Language classes (Intermediate level required)2	0-14
  Philosophy course (In addition to General Education courses)	3
  University electives	28-39
  Major requirements (listed below)	32
  	120

  
  
  1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary. 2 The foreign language requirement may be satisfied by successful completion of the second semester of the intermediate level of the student's chosen language (typically 232), or by placing out of that language through the Department of Foreign Language's placement test.
  
  Major Requirements
  
  

  Core Corses	Credit Hours
  GPOSC 225. U.S. Government	4
  POSC 201. Introduction to Western Political Theory	3
  POSC 295. Political Research Methods1	4
  Choose one of the following:	3
  GPOSC 200. Global Politics
  POSC 230. International Relations
  POSC 240. Comparative Politics
  1MATH 220 is a prerequisite for POSC 295.
  Electives
  Choose one course from three of the following areas:	9
  Comparative Politics
  POSC 337. Russian Political System
  POSC 339. Politics of Communist and Post-Communist Societies
  POSC 340. Political Development in the Third World
  POSC 345. European Governments
  POSC 347. Comparative Public Policy
  POSC 350. Latin American Politics
  POSC 355. East Asian Politics
  POSC 361. Contemporary Problems in International Affairs
  International Relations
  POSC 338. Russian Foreign Policy
  POSC 361. Contemporary Problems in International Affairs
  POSC 370. U.S. Foreign Policy
  POSC 395. International Law
  POSC 396. International Organizations
  POSC 397. Politics of International Economic Relations
  POSC 435. Seminar in International Terrorism Theory
  Political Theory
  POSC 300. Political Analysis
  POSC 310. Political Theory: Ancient to Early Modern
  POSC 315. Political Theory: Early Modern to the 19th Century
  POSC 316. Contemporary Political Theory
  POSC 321. Political Theory and Ideology
  POSC 330. American Political Thought
  American Government
  POSC 302. State and Local Government
  POSC 325. Constitutional Law
  POSC 326. Civil Rights
  POSC 351. Contemporary Problems in U.S. Government
  POSC 358. Public Policy
  POSC 360. Urban Politics
  POSC 362. Political Behavior
  POSC 365. American Political Campaigning
  POSC 368. Interest Groups and Public Policy
  POSC 369. Political Parties and Elections
  POSC 380. The National Executive
  POSC 385. The Legislative Process
  Two additional electives chosen from the 300 or 400 level including:	6
  POSC 490. Senior Tutorial in Political Science
  POSC 493. Simulations in Political Science
  POSC 495. Internship in Political Science
  POSC 495W. Washington Semester Internship in Political Science1
  For three of these credit hours, students may substitute one of the following 200-level courses:
  POSC 210. Intrduction to Law and Jurisprudence	3
  PUAD 215. Introduction to Criminal Justice
  PUAD 265. Public Administration
  Senior Capstone:2
  POSC 492. Senior Seminar in Political Science3	4
  	32

  
  1 Although POSC 495W is a 6-credit course, only 4 credits apply to the electives requirement; the remaining 2 hours are applied toward the studentŐs overall degree requirements. 2 Student should fulfill the senior capstone requirement for each major and minor separately. This means that senior experiences completed for one major or minor cannot normally be counted for another. Students who have questions about a particular situation should see the department head or appropriate department coordinator for clarification. 3 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
  
  Bachelor of Science in Public Administration
  Dr. Ben D. Skelley, Coordinator
  Phone: (540) 568-6832
  E-mail: skellebd@jmu.edu
  
  
  The major in public administration provides students with a general foundation in the nature of the public work place and its political and legal environments. The major provides two concentrations for students: public management and criminal justice. Students pursuing either concentration share a common core of courses but take specialized courses for their concentration. Majors must successfully complete 20 credit hours of public administration core courses, which include public administration, political science and management courses. These courses impart knowledge about the American political system and the values and traditions of American democratic administration. At the same time, they exercise students' critical and analytical skills in case studies and the application of social science methods.
  
  Degree Requirements
  
  

  	Credit Hours
  General Education1	41
  Mathematics course2	3
  Social science or natural science course2	3-4
  University electives	30-34
  Major requirements (listed below)	20
  Concentration requirements (listed below)	22
  	120

  
  
  1 The General Education program contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary. 2 In addition to course work taken to fulfill General Education requirement.
  
  Major Requirements
  
  

  Core Corses	Credit Hours
  GPOSC 225. U.S. Government	4
  MGT 365. Human Resource Management	3
  POSC 295. Political Research Method	4
  POSC 302. State and Local Government	3
  PUAD 265. Public Administration	3
  PUAD 381. Politics of the Budgetary Process	3
  	20

  
  Concentrations
  
  Public Management
  The concentration in public management prepares students for professional employment and leadership in government and nonprofit organizations. The program provides specialized training in management and management-related skills. Students choosing this concentration should minor or double major in a complementary cognate field of study approved by the department. Students should consult early with their adviser concerning their cognate field.
  
  The concentration's required courses provides students with knowledge of:
  • The political culture of public work
  • Public works economic environment
  • Accounting practices
  • Organization theories
  • Management theories
  • Management devices and practices
  • Policy processes
  In addition, the concentration's core courses heighten studentsŐ sensitivity to issues of cultural diversity and exercise studentsŐ critical, analytical and communication skills through case studies and exercises. The dual capstone requirement - a public management seminar and an internship - demands integration of knowledge from both general studies and major studies by focusing students on specific cases and work place applications.

  Required Course	Credit Hours
  Public administration core courses	20
  COB 241. Financial Accounting	3
  COB 242. Managerial Accounting	3
  GECON 200. Introduction to Macroeconomics	3
  ECON 201. Micro Economics	3
  PUAD 415. Legal Environment of Public Administration	3
  PUAD 420. Public Management1	3
  PUAD 496. Internship in Public Administration	4

  
  1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major.
  
  Cognate Requirement
  Students must complete a cognate program approved by the department. Criminal Justice
  Public administration and criminal justice are highly integrated fields of activity. Criminal justice activities result from public policy and public law and are administrated largely by government employees. Public administration offers criminal justice students administrative knowledge and skills that enhance their specialized knowledge of criminal law, criminal procedure and criminal justice institutions.
  
  The required courses give students substantive knowledge of the criminal law, judicial processes, nature of criminal behavior and organizational elements of the criminal justice system. Students integrate and apply this knowledge during their senior experience.

  Required Course	Credit Hours
  Public Administration core courses	20
  PUAD 215. Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
  PUAD 327. Criminal Law	3
  PUAD 328. Criminal Procedure	3
  PUAD 410. Administration in Criminal Justice1	3
  SOCI 325. Criminology	3
  Elective (choose one of the following):	3
  PHIL 325. Crime, Punishment, and Justice
  POSC 326. Civil Rights
  PSYC 250. Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
  PSYC 335. Abnormal Psychology
  PUAD 324. Counter-Intelligence
  PUAD 329. Criminal Investigation and Evidence
  SCOM 231. Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution
  SCOM 331. Communication and Conflict
  SOCI 327. Juvenile Delinquency
  SOCI 330. Corrections
  Senior experience2 (choose one):	4
  PUAD 480. Senior Tutorial
  PUAD/SOCI 482. Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice
  PUAD 496. Internship
  	42

  
  1 This course fulfills the College of Arts and Letters writing-intensive requirement for the major. 2 Prerequisite: A 3-credit research methods course in political science, psychology, sociology, or the equivalent thereof.
  
  Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs
  The major in international affairs provides an interdisciplinary understanding of foreign cultures and societies, the dynamics of world politics and how other nations perceive the world and why they act the way they do. For a full description of this interdisciplinary major, see "Interdisciplinary Programs.".
  
  Interdisciplinary Social Science
  The major in interdisciplinary social science is designed for students who desire a broad, yet integrated, education in the social sciences as a preparation for careers in government, business, law, teaching or pre-professional training in one of the social sciences. This major is housed in the Department of Political Science and is coordinated by Dr. Sue E. Spivey. For a full description of this program, refer to "Interdisciplinary Social Science.".
  
  Minor Requirements
  
  Criminal Justice Minor
  The interdisciplinary minor in criminal justice is designed for students interested in careers in law enforcement, corrections or judicial administration. Limited enrollment is available for this minor. Contact Dr. Peggy Plass at plassms@jmu.edu. For a full description of this minor, refer to "Interdisciplinary Programs.".
  
  Political Science Minor
  A student may minor in political science by completing 19 credit hours of approved courses from the following list. Check with the department office for department availability of the minor.
  
  

  Required Course	Credit Hours
  GPOSC 225. U.S. Government	4
  POSC 201. Introduction to Western Political Theory	3
  Choose one upper-level American government	3
  course from the following:
  POSC 302. State and Local Government
  POSC 325. Constitutional Law
  POSC 326. Civil Rights
  POSC 358. Public Policy
  POSC 360. Urban Politics
  POSC 362. Political Behavior
  POSC 365. American Political Campaigning
  POSC 368. Interest Groups and Public Policy
  POSC 369. Political Parties and Elections
  POSC 380. The National Executive
  POSC 385. The Legislative Process
  PUAD 358. Public Policy
  Elective chosen from 300-level courses listed above or from the following:	3
  PUAD 265. Public Administration
  POSC 310. Political Theory: Ancient to Early Modern
  POSC 415. Political Theory: Early Modern to the 19th Century
  POSC 316. Contemporary Political Theory
  POSC 321. Political Theory and Ideology
  POSC 330. American Political Thought
  Choose Option One or Option Two 6
  Option One:
  POSC 230. International Relations
  Choose one of the following:
  POSC 361. Contemporary Problems in International Affairs
  POSC 370. U.S. Foreign Policy
  POSC 395. International Law
  POSC 396. International Organizations
  POSC 397. Politics of International Economic Relations
  POSC 435. Seminar in International Terrorism
  Option Two:
  GPOSC 200. Global Politics or
  POSC 240. Comparative Politics
  Choose one of the following:
  POSC 337. Russian Political System
  POSC 339. Politics of Communist and Post-Communist Systems
  POSC 340. Political Development in the Third World
  POSC 345. European Governments
  POSC 347. Comparative Public Policy
  POSC 350. Latin American Politics
  POSC 355. East Asian Politics
  POSC 361. Contemporary Problems in International Affairs
  	19

  
  Political Communication Minor
  The interdisciplinary minor in political communication is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in political management. For a full description of this minor, refer to "Interdisciplinary Programs."
  
  Public Administration Minor
  The requirement for a minor in public administration is 19 credit hours of courses from the following list. Check with the department office for availability of the minor.
  
  

  Required Course	Credit Hours
  GPOSC 225. U.S. Government	4
  MGT 365. Human Resource Management	3
  PUAD 265. Public Administration	3
  PUAD 415. Legal Environment of Public Administration	3
  PUAD 381. Budgetary Process	3
  PUAD 420. Public Management	3
  	19

  
  In addition to the core courses, the department encourages students to take PUAD 496, Internship in Public Administration.
  
  The Washington Semester Program
  The political science department offers a Washington Semester Program each spring. Students have the opportunity to do a Washington-based internship and take courses from specialists in the field. Housing is arranged by JMU and JMU tuition is paid. The program is open to all students but is especially designed for those who are majoring or minoring in a program associated with the political science department.