Sample Degree Pathway for Political Science - American Politics Concentration
For students who entered fall 2020 and beyond.
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI.1010 | Introduction to American Politics (SRE) | 3 |
| FAHS.1090 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| ENGL.1010 /
HONR.1100 | College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW) | 3 |
| WLxx.xxxx | Language 1 and Culture | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Arts and Humanities Perspective (AH)1 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Social Sciences Perspective (SS)1 - PSYC.1010 recommended | 3 |
| Total | 16 | |
Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL.1020 | College Writing II (CW) | 3 |
| POLI.1120 /
POLI.1210 | Introduction to Comparative Politics /
Introduction to International Relations (DCA) | 3 |
| WLxx.xxxx | Language 2 and Culture | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Sciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)1 | 3/4 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Social Sciences Perspective (SS)1 | 3 |
| Total | 15/16 | |
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI.2010 | Research Methods (IL) | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Arts and Humanities Perspective (AH)1 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Sciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)1 | 3/4 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Language 3 and Culture /
World Ready Elective2 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Math Perspective (MATH) - MATH.2830 recommended | 3 |
| Total | 15/16 | |
Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI.3010 | Quantitative Research Methods (CTPS), (QL) | 3 |
| POLI.xxxx | American Politics Concentration Elective4 | 3 |
| POLI.xxxx | American Politics Concentration Elective4 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Language 4 and Culture /
World Ready Elective2 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Political Science / Free Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
Junior Year
Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI.xxxx | American Politics Concentration Elective5 | 3 |
| POLI.xxxx | American Politics Concentration Elective5 | 3 |
| POLI.xxxx | Political Science / Free Elective | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | STEM Perspective (STEM)1 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Arts and Humanities Perspective (AH)1 | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
Spring Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI.xxxx | American Politics Concentration Elective5 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Political Science / Free Elective | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Social Sciences Perspective (SS)1 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | World Ready Elective3 / Free Elective | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Free Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15` | |
Senior Year
Fall Semester
| Course Number | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POLI.4xxx | Approved 4000-level Seminar (WOC)3/6 | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Political Science / Free Elective | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Free Elective | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Free Elective | 3 |
| xxxx.xxxx | Free Elective | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
Total Minimum Credits = 120
Minimum Political Science Credits: 36
Maximum Political Science Credits That Can Be Counted Toward Graduation: 45
Minimum Upper Level Credits: 18 with a minimum of 6 at 4000 level plus 12 at 3000 level or higher (POLI.3010, POLI.4960 or POLI.4970 count toward these requirements). One of these advanced courses must be a seminar, which is a small class of advanced students, focused on more intensive writing than usual classes. The topics of seminar courses will vary each semester with the interests of department faculty.
You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Political Science and Core Curriculum requirements.
1No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details.
2World Ready Language Track (WR track) requires successful completion of a two course sequence in a World Language (depending on placement) and three approved courses on the culture/history/literature/film related to that language, but taught in English. (Total of 15 credits.) For detailed information refer to Policies - Language Requirements in the undergraduate catalog.
3Political Science majors satisfy the Written and Oral Communication (WOC) ELO by taking an approved, 4000-level Political Science seminar course. See your Advisement Report or the WOC Course Listing for a current list of approved courses.
4American Politics Concentration Electives (Sophomore Year):
- POLI.2120 American Media and Politics
- POLI.2180 Introduction to Politics and Sports
- POLI.2310 Introduction to Political Thought
- POLI.2650 State and Local Politics
5American Politics Concentration Electives (Junior Year):
- POLI.3070 American Political Thought
- POLI.3090 Political Psychology
- POLI.3130 Electoral Politics
- POLI.3140 Parties and Interest Groups
- POLI.3160 Politics and Film
- POLI.3190 Survey Research
- POLI.3210 Politics and Soccer
- POLI.3290 Politics of College Sports
- POLI.3350 Constitutional Law: Powers and Principles
- POLI.3370 Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties
- POLI.3380 Political Participation
- POLI.3390 Supreme Court Seminar
- POLI.3490 The Politics of Race and Ethnicity
- POLI.3800 American Foreign Policy
6Approved 4000-level Seminar:
- POLI.4020 Women in Islam
- POLI.4060 The Politics of Identity in the Middle East
- POLI.4110 The Concept of Power
- POLI.4190 Public Opinion and Political Polling
- POLI.4220 Political Communication and Media Studies
- POLI.4340 Islam and Politics
- POLI.4400 Comparative National Security
- POLI.4450 Politics of Repression and Dissent
- POLI.4470 Theories of Political and Criminal Violence
Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SIS. Political Science majors will also be assigned to a faculty advisor who guides students through their studies. The department strongly suggests scheduling an advising meeting once per semester.
Restriction on off-campus study:
Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.
See the catalog policy for details.