Department of Political Science

                         Bachelor of Arts Requirements for Political Science Majors - Gen Ed 2002 Program

All first time freshman who began their studies at Montclair State University in Fall 2002 or thereafter and transfer students entering Montclair in Fall 2005 must meet the requirements of the Gen Ed 2002. Please consult the Montclair State University Undergraduate Catalog for specific courses that fulfill requirements within the Gen Ed 2002 categories listed below.  

                                                                                                       Semester Hours

I. Gen Ed 2002 Requirements

A. New Student Experience............................................................................................................1

B. Interdisciplinary Courses............................................................................................................9 (Total)

    1. Contemporary Issues I: Science Issues.........................................................3

    2. Contemporary Issues II: National Issues........................................................3

    3. Contemporary Issues III: Global Issues..........................................................3

(Note: for information on Interdisciplinary Replacement courses, refer to this document and ask your advisor.)

C. Communication..........................................................................................................................9 (Total)

    1. Writing/Literature.............................................................................................6

    2. Communication...............................................................................................3

D. Fine & Performing Arts..............................................................................................................3

E. Foreign Language......................................................................................................................3 - 6

     *Note: Students wishing to continue a language already studied in high school or elsewhere must demonstrate proficiency equivalent to the completion of the third semester. Students who do not place at this level must take up to 6 semester hours of further study dependent on their scores on the placement test (i.e., those who score at the second semester level must take 6 s.h., those who score at the third semester level must take 3 s.h.). Please consult the MSU Undergraduate Catalog for further information.

F. Humanities...................................................................................................................................6

    1. World Literature or General Humanities.......................................................3

    2. Philosophy/Religion........................................................................................3

G. Computer Science......................................................................................................................3

    *Note: Students are able to take an examination to "place out" of the Computer Science requirement.  Contact the Computer Science department for more information.

H. Mathematics................................................................................................................................3
 

I. Natural/Physical Science Laboratory..........................................................................................4
  

J. Physical Education......................................................................................................................1

K. Social Science............................................................................................................................9 (Total)
   1. American or European History.....................................................................3
   2. Non-Western Cultural Perspectives.............................................................3
   3. Social Science (other than History)..............................................................3
 

L. General Education Electives......................................................................................................6

TOTAL GEN ED 2002 REQUIREMENTS.....................................................................................57 - 60

II. Political Science Major Requirements

A. Required Courses.......................................................................................................................15 (Total)

POLS-100 Introduction to Politics ......................................................................3
POLS-101 American Government and Politics ................................................3
POLS-201 Comparative Politics.........................................................................3
POLS-202 International Relations.......................................................................3
POLS-408 Development of Political Thought to Machiavelli............................3

B. Electives (Departmental).............................................................................................................18 (Total)

Students may fulfill the electives portion of their major requirements through completion of any combination of the following coursework:

POLS-203 International Organizations..................................................................3

POLS-204 Government & Politics of Africa..........................................................3
POLS-205 Introduction to Public Administration..................................................3
POLS-206 Government & Politics of China & Japan..........................................3
POLS-214 Women in Politics................................................................................3
POLS-301 American Party System.......................................................................3
POLS-302 Public Opinion and Pressure Groups................................................3
POLS-303 Politics of Development & Modernization.........................................3
POLS-304 State and Local Government..............................................................3
POLS-306 Campaign Politics...............................................................................3
POLS-307 American Political Thought.................................................................3
POLS-308 Ethnic Politics in America...................................................................3
POLS-309 Urban Politics.......................................................................................3
POLS-310 Public Personnel Administration........................................................3
POLS-311 Governmental Budgeting.....................................................................3
POLS-312 Black Politics in America.....................................................................3
POLS-315 Urban Administration............................................................................3
POLS-316 Contemporary Western European Politics.........................................3
POLS-317 The American Congress.......................................................................3
POLS-318 The American Presidency....................................................................3
POLS-320 Law in Society: Civil Law......................................................................3
POLS-321 Law in Society: Criminal Law...............................................................3
POLS-322 American Constitutional Law: The Federal System..........................3
POLS-323 American Constitutional Law: Civil Rights & Liberties.....................3
POLS-324 American Public Policy........................................................................3
POLS-330 American Foreign Policy.....................................................................3
POLS-404 Government & Politics of India & South Asia....................................3
POLS-405 Government & Politics of Latin America............................................3
POLS-406 Government & Politics of the Middle East.........................................3
POLS-407 Government & Politics in the Post-Soviet States..............................3
POLS-409 Modern Political Thought.....................................................................3
POLS-410 Directed Study......................................................................................3-6
POLS-412 Government & Politics in the East European States........................3
POLS-416 Selected Topics in Political Science..................................................3
POLS-420 Seminar & Internship in Political Science..........................................3
POLS-425 Politics of the Federal Bureaucracy....................................................3
POLS-426/427 Seminar & Internship in Public Administration...........................4

POLS-429 Polling In The US...................................................................................3
POLS-430 International Law....................................................................................3
POLS-435 Senior Honors Seminar........................................................................3

TOTAL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS.....................................................................................................33

III. Free Electives

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION...........................................120

                        Bachelor of Arts Requirements for Political Science Majors - 1983 GER Program

The following General Education Requirements apply to full-time freshman and part-time students who began their studies at Montclair State University in Summer/Fall 1983 through Summer 2002 and transfer students entering Montclair in Fall 1985 through Spring 2005. These requirements are subject to change. Periodic visits to your faculty advisor or a Montclair academic advisor are strongly recommended to avoid difficulties in meeting graduation requirements. Please consult the Montclair State University Undergraduate Catalog for specific courses that fulfill requirements within the 1983 GER categories listed below.

                                                                                                       Semester Hours

I. 1983 GER Requirements

A. Communication..........................................................................................................................9 (Total)

    1. Writing..............................................................................................................3

    2. Reading...........................................................................................................3

    3. Speaking.........................................................................................................3

B. Contemporary Issues.................................................................................................................3

C. Fine & Performing Arts..............................................................................................................3

D. Foreign Language......................................................................................................................6

    *Note: Please consult the MSU Undergraduate Catalog for information regarding foreign language testing and placement.

E. Humanities...................................................................................................................................6

    1. World Literature or General Humanities.......................................................3

    2. Philosophy/Religion........................................................................................3

F. Mathematics and Computer Science......................................................................................................................5

    1. Mathematics....................................................................................................3

    2. Computer Science..........................................................................................2

G. Natural/Physical Science...........................................................................................................7

    1. Laboratory Science.........................................................................................4

    2. Non-Laboratory Science.................................................................................3
  

H. Physical Education......................................................................................................................1

I. Social Science............................................................................................................................12 (Total)
   1. American or European History.....................................................................3
   2. Non-Western Cultural Perspectives.............................................................3
   3. Social Science (other than History)..............................................................6
 

J. General Education Electives......................................................................................................6

TOTAL 1983 GER REQUIREMENTS...........................................................................................58

II. Political Science Major Requirements

A. Required Courses.......................................................................................................................15 (Total)

POLS-100 Introduction to Politics ......................................................................3
POLS-101 American Government and Politics ................................................3
POLS-201 Comparative Politics.........................................................................3
POLS-202 International Relations.......................................................................3
POLS-408 Development of Political Thought to Machiavelli............................3

B. Electives (Departmental).............................................................................................................18 (Total)

Students may fulfill the electives portion of their major requirements through completion of any combination of the following coursework:

POLS-203 International Organizations..................................................................3

POLS-204 Government & Politics of Africa..........................................................3
POLS-205 Introduction to Public Administration..................................................3
POLS-206 Government & Politics of China & Japan..........................................3
POLS-214 Women in Politics................................................................................3
POLS-301 American Party System.......................................................................3
POLS-302 Public Opinion and Pressure Groups................................................3
POLS-303 Politics of Development & Modernization.........................................3
POLS-304 State and Local Government..............................................................3
POLS-306 Campaign Politics...............................................................................3
POLS-307 American Political Thought.................................................................3
POLS-308 Ethnic Politics in America...................................................................3
POLS-309 Urban Politics.......................................................................................3
POLS-310 Public Personnel Administration........................................................3
POLS-311 Governmental Budgeting.....................................................................3
POLS-312 Black Politics in America.....................................................................3
POLS-315 Urban Administration............................................................................3
POLS-316 Contemporary Western European Politics.........................................3
POLS-317 The American Congress.......................................................................3
POLS-318 The American Presidency....................................................................3
POLS-320 Law in Society: Civil Law......................................................................3
POLS-321 Law in Society: Criminal Law...............................................................3
POLS-322 American Constitutional Law: The Federal System..........................3
POLS-323 American Constitutional Law: Civil Rights & Liberties.....................3
POLS-324 American Public Policy........................................................................3
POLS-330 American Foreign Policy.....................................................................3
POLS-404 Government & Politics of India & South Asia....................................3
POLS-405 Government & Politics of Latin America............................................3
POLS-406 Government & Politics of the Middle East.........................................3
POLS-407 Government & Politics in the Post-Soviet States..............................3
POLS-409 Modern Political Thought.....................................................................3
POLS-410 Directed Study......................................................................................3-6
POLS-412 Government & Politics in the East European States........................3
POLS-416 Selected Topics in Political Science..................................................3
POLS-420 Seminar & Internship in Political Science..........................................3
POLS-425 Politics of the Federal Bureaucracy....................................................3
POLS-426/427 Seminar & Internship in Public Administration...........................4

POLS-429 Polling In The US...................................................................................3
POLS-430 International Law....................................................................................3
POLS-435 Senior Honors Seminar........................................................................3

TOTAL MAJOR REQUIREMENTS...........................................................................................33

III. Free Electives

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION...........................................120

                                                                        Additional Information

COURSE SELECTION/REGISTRATION:

Several required courses are offered only once per academic year, either in the fall or spring semesters. Pay careful attention to the scheduling pattern indicated in the Schedule of Courses booklet and/or consult with your departmental advisor.

PREREQUISITES:

It is the student's responsibility to check that prerequisites for all courses have been met prior to registration.

BASIC SKILLS:

Developmental courses in reading, writing, and mathematics, which may be required of individual students, count only as additive credits and may not be used to complete the degree requirements.

PASS/FAIL LIMITATIONS:

The student may take one course per semester on a pass/fail basis, not to exceed a total of 24 credit hours. Courses in the major and GER courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis. For other restrictions, see information on the Pass/Fail application.

FINAL EVALUATION:

Students who are eligible for graduation must file an application for final evaluation in the Office of the Registrar according to the following schedule: by October 1 for the following June; by June 1 for the following January; by March 1 for the following August graduation.

FACULTY ADVISORS:

It is the student's responsibility to seek the guidance of their advisor for assistance before registering, academic planning and general counseling. All Political Science majors are assigned an official faculty advisor in the Department of Political Science.  To identify your advisor, check with the department secretary in DI104, or the lists on each faculty person's office door.

INTERNSHIPS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE:

Political Science majors have the opportunity to work in off-campus legislative and local government offices through internship courses offered by the department. Internships in Political Science and Public Administration provide course credit as well as first-hand knowledge of how government really works.

The following courses offer valuable internship experience:

POLS-306 Campaign Politics
POLS-420 Seminar and Internship in Political Science
POLS-426 Seminar and Internship in Public Administration I
POLS-427 Seminar and Internship in Public Administration II

TRANSFER STUDENTS:

Transfer students electing to major in political science must meet all the requirements of the major as described above.  Students who transfer from another college with credits in Political Science must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of upper level (300-400) courses in Political Science at Montclair.

Transfer students interested in teacher education should inquire about admission to the program as soon as possible. All transfer students should meet with their departmental faculty advisor during their first semester at Montclair.

TEACHER EDUCATION:

All students interested in teacher certification should apply by the second semester of their sophomore year, Application forms may be obtained from the Office of Teacher Education, School of Professional Studies. The Coordinator of Teacher Education for the School of Social And Behavioral Sciences is Professor Joseph T. Moore, Department of History, Dickson Hall, Room 425.

In order to apply for the teacher certification program, students should have completed or be in the process of completing:

Fundamentals of Speech, General Psychology Growth and Development,
Educational Psychology, Initial Field Experience, and at least 12
semester hours in their major. Students preparing for teacher
certification should also include a course from health, biology, or nutrition areas.

The State of New Jersey requires all candidates for teacher certification to complete an approved Human and Intercultural Relations course. See the MSU Undergraduate Catalog for a list of approved courses. Many of these courses may be used to fulfill a General Education Requirement.