Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Political science provides education toward enlightened citizenship and statesmanship, and prepares students for careers in government and politics, law, teaching, and business, or for graduate studies in a wide range of professional areas.
Upon completion of a major or double major in political science, students will have demonstrated achievement of the following program learning objectives:
- Discuss concepts and issues central to the study of politics.
- Explain the American political system and its relationship to the Micronesian region.
- Apply theories to the study of domestic and international conflict.
- Compare political systems of Asia Pacific with each other and with those of other regions.
- Design a political research project that incorporates principles of social science inquiry.
- Evaluate political speech and acts for their embedded values.
Credit for AP Examination in Political Science. Students who report a score of three (3) on the Advanced Placement U.S. Government examination will (a) fulfill prerequisite requirements of other political science courses for PS202-Government in the United States, and (b) fulfill the political science major/minor requirement for PS202. Students who report scores of 4 or 5 on this exam will additionally receive three (3) hours of academic credit equivalent to one semester in PS202. Students who report a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Comparative Government examination will be considered to have met the PSI 0 I course requirement for the political science major; however, no academic credit will be awarded.
Progress in the Political Science Major. Students must receive a grade of "C" or better in any Political Science course to be credited toward completion of the Political Science major. This requirements applies to the 36 credits in political science counted specifically toward completion of Political Science major requirements: the eight required political science courses, plus four elective courses in political science. It does not apply to General Education courses, or to generic electives.
All Political Science majors must meet the requirements of one of the following tracks and should seek faculty advisement within their respective track:
The Political Science track provides students with a range of courses in 3 major subfields of Political Science: American and regional government, Comparative Politics and International Relations. Students acquire theoretical knowledge and develop a set of critical and analytical skills about institutions of government and politics.
The Government for Education track focuses on providing students with the knowledge needed to meet the national content standards for Secondary Education Social Studies. Students will complete course work in the fields of Political Science, History and Geography with a focus on government and politics. Students who choose this track should double major in education, complete the BA+ program, or obtain a Master's in Teaching after graduation.
The minor in Political Science requires 21 credit hours. It is particularly suited for students who need a strong background in government and politics for their professional work or graduate studies.
Political Science Track Major - Student Advisement Form & 4-Year Academic Plan
Political Science Track Major Requirements
(Total: 46 Credit Hours)
Required Courses (34 credit hours): PS101, PS202, PS215, PS225, PS 300, PS302, PS304 or PS412, PS326,
PS398, PS492, BA110, MA151.
Electives (12 credit hours): Any combination of upper division (300 and 400-numbered) political
science courses (at least one course must be a 400-numbered course), or MA385, and/or
PA402.
*SEE - STUDENT ADVISEMENT SHEET GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS and include under Direction Building (DB) – 9-11 credits – 1) CF, DF or UU as Pre-req
(Can be within a declared Major) – OPTION A - PS300 OR PS302; OPTION B – PS326 ; 2)
DF or Major Exploration – OPTION A PS482 OR OPTION B PS426 ; 3) DF Exploration outside
major requirement (May apply to a Minor or 2nd Major) –
Tier III – Capstone Experience – Major Capstone Experience: 1) Major Capstone Experience – PS492
Government for Education Track Major Requirements
(Total: 49 Credit Hours)
Required Courses (40 credit hours):
PS101, PS202, PS215, PS225, GE101or GE201, HI121 or HI122, HI201 or HI202, PS302,
PS304 or PS412, PS307, PS402, PS426, PS492, and BA110.
Electives (9 credit hours):
Any combination of upper division (300 and 400-numbered) political science courses
(at least one course must be a 400-numbered course).
*SEE - STUDENT ADVISEMENT SHEET GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS and include under Direction Building (DB) – 9-11 credits – 1) CF, DF or UU as Pre-req
(Can be within a declared Major) – PS302; 2) DF or Major Exploration – PS402; 3) DF
Exploration outside major requirement (May apply to a Minor or 2nd Major)
Tier III – Capstone Experience – Major Capstone Experience: 1) Major Capstone Experience – PS492
Political Science Minor Requirements
(Total: 21 Credit Hours)
Required Courses (12 credit hours):
PS101, PS202, PS215 and PS225
Electives (9 credit hours):
Any upper division (300 and 400-numbered) courses.
Cruz F. Mary Therese
Office Location: Expertise
Political Science Student Organizations
PI SIGMA ALPHA
Honor society for political science; open to students who have completed at least half of their undergraduate coursework including a minimum of four political science courses.
To qualify for Pi Sigma Alpha, eligible students must achieve a 3.0 grade point average in political science courses and rank in the top third of their university in general academic performance. Founded in 1920, Pi Sigma Alpha now has 740 chapters at colleges and universities throughout the 50 States. The University of Guam’s Pi Sigma Alpha chapter—the only chapter in an insular territory of the United States—began in 1996 and includes an impressive number of attorneys, college faculty, and government officials on Guam, Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the United States.
Political Science Student Association
Open to all students enrolled in a major or minor in the field, regardless of their academic status or achievement.
Political Science Students Inducted into Honor Society
(MAY 2015) Robertson Albert, left, from the Federated States of Micronesia and LeeAna Acfalle from Guam were inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha, the U.S. national honor society for students of political science and government, on May 22 at the CLASS Lecture Hall as part of the CLASS ceremony acknowledging student achievement in several areas. Not pictured is Marlyn Viti, also from the Federated States of Micronesia, who was also inducted into Pi Sigma Alpha.
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