Political Science, B.A. (PLSAL)
Recommended Academic Plan
Please keep in mind that this is only a recommended academic plan. For requirements, see below. There is room for some flexibility. For example, the GS requirements might be met by taking PL SC 60, 130, 135, or 140 in semesters other than the first and second. Likewise, three credits of the GH requirement might be met by taking PL SC 111 in any semester.
Freshman Year
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| PL SC 1, 3, 14, or 17 | 3 |
| One of the following GS courses: PL SC 60(GS; US), 140(GS), 130(GS; IL), 135(GS) | 3 |
| Engl. 15 (GWS) or Engl 30 (GWS) | 3 |
| Foreign Language (level 1)1 | 4 |
| Any GA, GH, GN, or GQ course to fulfill requirements | 3 |
| Total credits | 16 |
|
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| PL SC 1, 3, 14, or 17 | 3 |
| One of the following GS courses: PL SC 60(GS; US), 140(GS), 130(GS; IL), 135(GS) | 3 |
| PL SC 111 (GH) | 3 |
| Foreign Language (level 2) | 4 |
| Any GA, GH, GN, or GQ course to fulfill requirements | 3 |
| Total credits | 16 |
|
Sophomore Year
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| PL SC 1, 3, 14, or 17 | 3 |
| PL SC 3082 | 3 |
| Stat 200 | 4 |
| CAS 100 (GWS) | 3 |
| Foreign Language (level 3) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 17 |
|
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| PL SC 1, 3, 14, or 17 | 3 |
| PLSC 309 | 3 |
| Any GA, GH, GN, or GQ course to fulfill requirements | 3 |
| Any GA, GH, GN, or GQ course to fulfill requirements | 3 |
| Related Course for Political Science Major* | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
|
Summer
Summer before third or fourth year or during one of the semesters of the third or fourth year.
| PL SC 495 (Internship) | 3 |
| Total Credits | 3 |
|
Junior Year
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| PL SC 4-- | 3 |
| Any GA, GH, GN, or GQ course to fulfill requirements | 3 |
| Any GA, GH, GN, or GQ course to fulfill requirements | 3 |
| Any GA, GH, GN, or GQ course to fulfill requirements | 3 |
| English 202 | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
|
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| PL SC 4-- | 3 |
| PL SC 4-- | 3 |
| B. A. required course in arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, quantification, or foreign language | 3 |
| B. A. required course in arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, quantification, or foreign language | 3 |
| Other Cultures | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
|
Senior Year
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| PL SC 4-- | 3 |
| B. A. required course in arts, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, quantification, or foreign language | 3 |
| GHA | 3 |
| IL (if not taken already) or elective | 3 |
| US (if not taken already) or elective | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 |
|
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Elective3 | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
|
1 Students placing into the second or third level of a foreign language can begin fulfilling General Education requirements earlier.
2 Students may take PL SC 308 and 309 in their third year, since we will only be offering these courses every other year.
3 The requirement for electives can be met by taking additional political science courses.
Bold type indicates courses requiring a grade of C or higher.
Italics type indicate courses that satisfy both major and General
Education requirements.
Italic Bold type indicate courses requiring a grade of C or
higher that satisfy both major and General Education requirements.
GWS, GHA, GQ, GN, GA, GH and GS are codes used to identify General Education
requirements.
US, IL are codes used to designate courses that satisfy the University's United
States and International Cultures requirements. Students are required to
complete 3 credits in each area, and often these courses can "double-count" with
General Education selections, typically in the GA, GH, GS categories, or with
major requirements.
W is the code used to designate courses that satisfy the University's Writing
Across the Curriculum requirement.
FYS is the code used to designate courses that satisfy the First-Year Seminar
requirement. Note that students who began their studies Summer 2009 or
later may not be required to complete a FYS course. Check with your
advisor for clarification.
General education courses are interchangeable; students may choose the general education course(s) they wish to take in any given semester based on preference, availability, and academic goals.
Scheduling patterns vary for courses according to the semester they are taught.
*List of approved course for the 9 credits in Political Science in related disciplines:
Political Science - 308, 309 and any 400-level course**
BEYOND THE 15 CREDITS REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR
-or-
African and African American Studies — all courses at the 400-level and above
Anthropology — all courses at the 300-level and above
Communication — 403, 405, 410
Crime, Law, & Justice — 422, 433, 451, 453, 467
Economics — all courses at the 300-level and above
Geography — all courses at the 300-level and above
History — all courses at the 400-level and above
Philosophy — all courses at the 200-level and above
Psychology — all courses at the 400-level and above
Science, Technology, and Society — all courses at the 400-level and above
Sociology — all courses at the 400-level and above
Women's Studies — all courses at the 400-level and above
** Visit http://polisci.la.psu.edu/undergraduate/course_descriptions.html to see course descriptions.
Contact:
Dr. Daniel DiLeo
Associate Professor of Political Science
Arts and Humanities
Office: 129B Smith Building
Phone: 814-949-5284
Email:
WWW: http://www.personal.psu.edu/dxd22
Home
WebMail