Political Science Minor
The Political Science minor invites students to learn about four subfields: political theory, international relations, comparative politics, and American politics. Students have the flexibility to explore their interests by taking a variety of classes across subfields or to dive deeper into one or two subfields that interest them. Students can also participate in our robust internship programs both in Chicago and in Washington, DC.
For more information, please contact Professor David Doherty (ddoherty@luc.edu), Undergraduate Program Director for the Department of Political Science.
Curriculum
To graduate with a minor in Political Science, students must complete 18 hours of course work (6 courses) in the department or through transfer or advanced placement credit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Political Theory | ||
| American Politics | ||
| International Relations in an Age of Globalization | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Select four additional courses, either introductory or upper-level classes, regardless of the subfield. | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
- Students can begin the Political Science minor at any point in their undergraduate studies, in consultation with their advisor. While there is no set sequence of classes, students are encouraged to take introductory classes (PLSC 100, 101, 102, and 103) before taking upper division classes in those subfields. For example, although it is not required, students may benefit from taking PLSC 101 (American Politics) before taking an upper division class on Campaigns and Elections in the United States. Once students have declared their minor, they are encouraged to contact the Political Science Department’s Undergraduate Program Director for further guidance on how best to progress with their studies.
Subfield Courses
American Politics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PLSC 202 | Mock Trial 1 | 3 |
| PLSC 203 | Moot Court 1 | 3 |
| PLSC 208 | Representation in the United States | 3 |
| PLSC 215 | Politics of Marginalized Groups | 3 |
| PLSC 218 | African-American Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 236 | Political Communication | 3 |
| PLSC 238 | Political Advocacy | 3 |
| PLSC 251 | Women in American Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 300A | Contemporary Political Issues: American Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 318 | Politics & the Economy | 3 |
| PLSC 319 | Women, Law & Public Policy | 3 |
| PLSC 320 | Constitutional Law-Due Process | 3 |
| PLSC 321 | Constitutional Law-Powers of Government | 3 |
| PLSC 322 | Constitutional Law-Rights and Liberties | 3 |
| PLSC 323 | Children, Law & Public Policy | 3 |
| PLSC 324 | Civil-Military Relations | 3 |
| PLSC 326 | American National Security | 3 |
| PLSC 327 | Political Psychology | 3 |
| PLSC 328 | Political Behavior | 3 |
| PLSC 329 | Interest Group Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 332 | Politics of American Bureaucracies | 3 |
| PLSC 334 | Urban Policies and Problems | 3 |
| PLSC 335 | Urban Semester Seminar | 3 |
| PLSC 357 | Hollywood and Law | 3 |
| PLSC 372 | Crime, Race & Violence | 3 |
| PLSC 376 | Political Behavior and Public Opinion | 3 |
| PLSC 377 | American Public Policies | 3 |
| PLSC 378 | Intro to Political Economy | 3 |
| PLSC 379 | The Legislative Process | 3 |
| PLSC 380 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 |
| PLSC 381 | The American Presidency | 3 |
| PLSC 384 | The Judicial Process | 3 |
| PLSC 385 | Introduction to Law | 3 |
| PLSC 386 | Campaigns and Elections | 3 |
| PLSC 387 | Politics and the Press | 3 |
| PLSC 389 | State Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 390 | Urban Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 391 | Chicago Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 392 | Environmental Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 393 | Black Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 398 | Washington DC Internship Seminar 2 | 3 |
- 1
This course is Engaged Learning.
- 2
This course is Writing Intensive.
Political Theory
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PLSC 300B | Contemporary Political Issues: Political Theory | 3 |
| PLSC 301 | Political Justice | 3 |
| PLSC 302 | American Political Thought | 3 |
| PLSC 303 | Conservatism | 3 |
| PLSC 304 | Ancient Political Thought | 3 |
| PLSC 306 | Modern Political Thought | 3 |
| PLSC 307 | Democratic Theory | 3 |
| PLSC 308 | Contemporary Political Thought | 3 |
| PLSC 309 | Socialism | 3 |
| PLSC 310B | Catholic Political Thought | 3 |
| PLSC 312 | Feminist Theory | 3 |
| PLSC 313 | Resistance and Obligation | 3 |
| PLSC 314 | Liberalism | 3 |
| PLSC 330 | Global Justice | 3 |
| PLSC 331 | Islamic Political Thought | 3 |
| PLSC 339 | Political Ideologies | 3 |
| PLSC 373 | Politics and Literature | 3 |
| PLSC 388 | The Morality and Legality of War | 3 |
Comparative Politics
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PLSC 232 | Politics of the United Kingdom | 3 |
| PLSC 300C | Contemporary Political Issues: Comparative Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 336 | Politics in Contemporary China | 3 |
| PLSC 337 | Terrorism | 3 |
| PLSC 339 | Political Ideologies | 3 |
| PLSC 342 | African Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 343 | Latin American Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 344 | Contemporary Issues in Latin America | 3 |
| PLSC 345 | South & Southeast Asian Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 346 | East Asian Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 347 | The European Union | 3 |
| PLSC 348 | Soviet & Post-Soviet Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 349 | Eastern European Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 352 | Canadian Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 355C | Women and Politics: A Cross-National Perspective | 3 |
| PLSC 359 | Revolutions | 3 |
| PLSC 360 | Western European Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 362 | Politics Developing Societies | 3 |
| PLSC 365 | Italian Politics & Government | 3 |
| PLSC 366 | Dictatorship | 3 |
| PLSC 368 | Politics of the Middle East | 3 |
| PLSC 374 | Democracy | 3 |
| GLST 303 | Technological Change and Society | 3 |
International Relations
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PLSC 204 | Conflict Management | 3 |
| PLSC 213 | International Human Rights | 3 |
| PLSC 252 | Capitalism and Its Discontents | 3 |
| PLSC 300D | Contemporary Political issues in International Relations | 3 |
| PLSC 316 | Politics of Genocide | 3 |
| PLSC 317 | Politics of International Health | 3 |
| PLSC 325 | American Foreign Policy | 3 |
| PLSC 333 | Crossing Borders: The Politics of Immigration | 3 |
| PLSC 340 | International Relations of Africa | 3 |
| PLSC 350 | Politics of International Economic Relations | 3 |
| PLSC 351 | Latin American International System | 3 |
| PLSC 353 | International Law | 3 |
| PLSC 354 | Global Environmental Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 356 | Intervent in World Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 358 | War, Peace and Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 358D | The Scientific Study of War | 3 |
| PLSC 363 | International Politics | 3 |
| PLSC 364 | UN & International Organization | 3 |
| PLSC 367 | Model United Nations 1 | 3 |
| PLSC 369 | Politics of Energy | 3 |
| GLST 302 | States and Firms | 3 |
| GLST 305 | Globalization and Environmental Sustainability | 3 |
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This course is Engaged Learning.
Learning Outcomes
The Minor in Political Science is designed to achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the structures and functions of political systems.
- Be able to apply political theories and concepts when interpreting past and current events.
- Recognize the influence of cultural, social, and historical contexts on political behavior, values, institutions, or policies.
- Characterize the roots of enduring social disagreements and conflicts.
- Evaluate normative or empirical claims about political phenomena.
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively about complex political issues.
- Develop research skills to gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from multiple sources to support arguments or theories in political science.