Undergraduate Programs

General Major Requirements

Requirements of the Major

At least 30 credits of political science course work (based on the three-credit-hour per course system), consisting of 10 courses*. Only four credits of honors thesis research may be counted in the total 30 credits.*Transfer credit for courses taken outside Tulane University involving different credit systems will be evaluated case by case.

Distribution of Course Work

At least one course in each of the following subfield areas:

• American Political Processes and Institutions
  POLA 210 or any other course with a POLA designation
• Comparative Political Processes and Institutions
  POLC 230 or any other course with a POLC designation
• International Politics, Organization, and Law
  POLI 250 or any other course with a POLI designation
• Political Theory
  POLT 270 or any other course with a POLT designation

Level of Course Work

At least one course at the 100 or 200 level.

At least two courses at the 400 level or above. This does not include internships, independent studies, or honors thesis credits.

Either one course at the 600 level or one four-credit writing course in political science. Honors theses written in political science do not count as political science writing courses.

Students not writing honor’s theses are required to complete the Senior Capstone Experience (POLS 510) during their last semester at Tulane.

Grade Point Average

According to college rules, all students must have an overall GPA of 2.0 or better, and a GPA in their major of 2.0 or better, at the time of graduation.

International Relations Concentration Requirements

Economics Component

ECON101, ECON102 and one additional economics course (9 credits).

Foreign Language Component

3 credits beyond the college foreign language proficiency requirement. 

Electives

Students selecting the concentration in international relations are expected to focus their political science course work in the two subfields most relevant to their international interests (POLI and POLC) and to select elective courses which are complementary to their major.

American Politics Concentration Requirements

Policy Analysis Component

Students will elect one of the following indicated tracks.

• Methods Track
  SOCI 303 -  Introduction to Research Design and SOCI 304  - Introduction to Research Analysis
  
• Practice Track
  POLS 456 (or 457) Internship (Note: Students may not exceed six credits of internship toward their total hours of graduation)

Electives

Students selecting the concentration in American politics and policy are expected to focus their political science course work in the subfield most relevant to their interests (American political processes and institutions). In addition, students will select three courses for a total of nine credits from related electives in American area studies in economics, history, sociology, or communications courses. Students should consult with the program director, Professor Nancy Maveety, the Undergraduate Advisor, for approval of their elective course selections. 

General Minor Requirements

A minor in political science consists of six courses in political science, in at least two different subfields, with at least three courses above the 200 level.