Program Requirements
Required General Education
This course surveys human biological and cultural diversity through time and space. You will learn about questions like: how did humans evolve? and how do anthropologists collect and interpret information about human beings and their ancestors?
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-08
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
An introduction to Geography and its themes of study. The course will familiarize students with where places are located in the world together with their cultural and physical features. Students will be tasked to think critically and diversely about various cultures and features of the modern world.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-08, GE-10
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Become informed enough to play your part in governing the United States. Start by learning about the Constitution, our rights and freedoms, how the national government works and the opportunities and challenges of citizen influence. Political Science methods, and the challenges of citizenship are emphasized.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-09
This course is designed to provide a thorough introduction to the broad spectrum of theories and applications that make up the field of psychology
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05
US History to 1877 - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). 3 credits available for transfer students.
This course is designed to provide an overview of America's political, social, economic, and cultural development from earliest colonization to 1877.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-7A
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
This course is designed to provide an overview of America's political, social, economic, and cultural development from earliest colonization to 1877. Same content as HIST 190. Students may not take both HIST 190 and HIST 190W for credit.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-7A
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
US History Since 1877 - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). 3 credits available for transfer students.
A survey of American History from the end of Reconstruction to the present with a special emphasis on political and social developments.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-7A
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
This course is designed to provide an overview of America's political, social, economic, and cultural development from 1877 to the present. This course has the same content as HIST 191. Students may not take both HIST 191 and HIST 191W for credit.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-7A
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Major Common Core
Emphasis on forces influencing employment and inflation. Current problems of the economy are stressed along with tools government has to cope with them.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05
Examines decision making by the individual firm, the determination of prices and wages, and current problems facing business firms.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05
Students will develop a knowledge of the similarities and contrasts in regional landscapes and cultures of the United States.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Review of World History as a field of study.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Students learn about active citizenship from readings and discussions on the theory and practice of democracy. Students should become more motivated to participate, feel a greater sense of empowerment, improve political skills, and to better understand and appreciate democracy.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Overview of the structure and processes of social life; impact of social forces on individuals and groups; interdependence of society and the individual; social significance of social class, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality; emphasis on critical analysis of social inequalities and injustice.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-08
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Acquaints students majoring in social studies (teaching) with the social studies major and fundamental ideas that will help students integrate what they are learning in social sciences and history within the context of secondary social studies classroom.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Organization and presentation of social studies in secondary schools. Preparation of units for teaching purposes, examination of materials useful to the social studies teacher. Application of national and state standards to teaching social studies. Prereq: Concurrently with KSP 420
- Prerequisites:
- Concurrently with KSP 440
Major Restricted Electives
Diversity Elective - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s).
Students will examine the forces which create and maintain prejudice, discrimination and racism within global perspectives. Special attention will be given to the work of Paulo Freire.
- Prerequisites:
- ETHN 100 or ATHN 400
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
This course will examine women's lives and activism, past and present, throughout the world. We will explore and evaluate individual and collective efforts to achieve social justice in the context of interlocking systems of oppression. Fall, Spring, Summer
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-08, GE-09
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
This course will examine women's lives and activism, past and present, throughout the world. We will explore and evaluate individual and collective efforts to achieve social justice in the context of interlocking systems of oppression. Fall, Spring, Summer
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-08, GE-09
- Diverse Cultures:
- Purple
Emphasis Restricted Electives
Political Science Emphasis - Choose 15 - 16 Credit(s).
American Politics - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). Choose one of the following courses:
Students learn about active citizenship from readings and discussions on the theory and practice of democracy. Students should become more motivated to participate, feel a greater sense of empowerment, improve political skills, and to better understand and appreciate democracy.
- Prerequisites:
- none
An overview of the budgetary and fiscal processes of public budgeting, including the politics surrounding public budgeting and fiscal policy decisions.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course explores topics in political participation and behavior beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Elections in the United States at the federal, state and local levels. Election law, history, factors affecting elections, voting behavior, campaign finance, role of parties and groups, campaign strategy and tactics. Analysis of contemporary elections.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Political parties at United States, state, local levels. Cross-national comparisons. Decline and revival of parties. What parties do. Is the two party system the best? Are third parties the answer? Party organization. Voting behavior. Legislative, executive parties. Minnesota focus.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Politics impact on women: women's impact on politics and governance; primary focus on United States but some comparative considerations.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Racial and ethnic minorities in U.S. politics. Public opinion on racial issues, minority representation, race (partisanship and voting behavior), and racial issues (affirmative action, school busing, immigration).
- Prerequisites:
- none
Applications of psychological concepts to politics. Intergroup relations, stereotyping, political authoritarianism, presidential character and psychology, foreign policy decision-making, political tolerance, and mass violence and genocide.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course explores topics in public policy and public administration beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Politics of the natural environment (U.S. focus). Environmental and opposition values; roles of public opinion, Congress, presidency and courts in environmental policy making. Policy areas include: air/water pollution, climate change, hazardous/nuclear waste, sustainable development, and commons problems like overfishing.
- Prerequisites:
- none
A broadly based introduction to the issues, processes, and techniques of public sector labor relations.
- Prerequisites:
- none
The development of public personnel management in federal, state and local governments; strategic planning and policy making, position management, staffing, performance management, workplace relations.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course explores topics in political institutions and process beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course examines public opinion in American politics. Topics include the definition, nature and consequences of public opinion; political socialization; public opinion on selected issues; intergroup differences in public opinion, and public opinion polling methods.
- Prerequisites:
- none
United States Congress and state legislatures, with some cross-national comparisons. Legislative structure, powers; districting, elections, representation, constituency relations; committee system, parties, law-making process, rules and procedure, decision-making, relations with executives and courts. Reforms.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Examination of executive politics in United States at a federal and state level, with some cross-national comparisons. United States presidency and executive branch, governors and state executive branches, mayors, and other local executives.
- Prerequisites:
- none
The course examines politics in the American South. It examines the historical and cultural roots of Southern distinctiveness, traditionalistic political culture, racial conflicts, hostility toward organized labor, religious fundamentalism, tolerance of state violence, and social and moral conservatism. Major attention is paid to the realignment of white Southerners toward the Republican Party.
- Prerequisites:
- none
International Relations/Comparative Politics - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). Choose one of the following courses:
An advanced theoretical survey of the dynamics of politics and political change at the global level.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 231
Study of the function and process of the United Nations and other international organizations.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 231
This course is a general overview of US foreign policy institutions, processes, and politics. U.S. foreign policy is examined in historical, global and domestic contexts.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 231
This course explores the interaction of the three complex contemporary political and socioeconomic phenomena: the continuing expansion of global capitalism, the rise of nationalism(s), and the new wave of democratization around the world. The following topics are covered and discussed in class, with references to specific country and regional examples, (1) the impact of international economic institutions and democratization, (2) new forms of political participation in emerging democracies, (3) cultural and ethnic determinants of democratization, (4) problems of economic inequality in new democracies, (5) social and gender issues of democratic transitions, and (6) the relationship between democratic expansion and world peace. Course format will be lecture, discussion, student presentations and occasional films.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
Focusing on patterns, processes, and problems of international trade, monetary, technological, and investment relations, this course examines the roles played by key government organizations in managing conflict and cooperation among states.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 231
This interdisciplinary proseminar focuses on conflict resolution in the international arena. We will discuss causes of conflict, examine approaches to the study of conflict resolution, and analyze the varieties of nonviolent strategies of conflict resolution, emphasizing third party mediation.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 231
An overview of the international relations of East Asia, the course examines cooperation and conflict among major powers in the area: China, Japan and the United States. Topics include Japan's pre-WWII expansionism, China's political transformation and North Korea's nuclear controversy. Fall, Spring
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course offers a cross-national perspective on the politics of social policy and the welfare state in industrialized parts of the world, including North and South America and different regions of Europe. It also explores distinct national patterns of public policy solutions to the common contemporary problems of social security, poverty, and health care by paying close attention to both domestic factors and the forces of globalization that work to constrain government decisions. This multidimensional approach is designed to enable students to better understand how politics work in different ways to produce collective or social choices.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
This course explores topics in comparative politics beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
This course focuses on the Russian political system in relation to domestic social and economic environments and also on the role of Russia as a global actor. It examines the post communist transformation in Russia and other former Soviet republics.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
This course introduces students to the governments and politics of the South Asian countries. The historical and cultural context of politics are explored, as well as contemporary issues.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
This class explores the dynamics that determine politics and effect change in the region. Using a comparative perspective for the major countries in the region, we examine such issues as Islam, nationalism, resources, regional conflicts, impact of the international system, and political development.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
This course includes a detailed analysis of select countries and theoretical concerns in Latin American studies. Its general goal is to provide students with the knowledge of Latin American politics and societies in both regional and comparative contexts.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
Survey of the political processes, governmental institutions and policies of the countries of the Asian Pacific Rim, with special emphasis on China, Japan and the newly industrializing states of Southeast Asia.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
This course is designed to acquaint undergraduate and graduate students with key concepts and issues in the study of African politics. The historical and cultural context of politics is explored, as well as topics of current importance in the field.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
This course discusses government institutions, political developments, and policymaking structures of contemporary Europe, including the former communist countries of East/Central Europe and the Balkans. It will also cover the ongoing process of European integration (European Union) and democratization of the former Soviet bloc countries. Some of the topics covered will include: elections, party systems, federalism and devolution, ethnic and minority policy, social policy, economic reforms, gender and politics, and cross-Atlantic relations with the US.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
This course introduces students to key issues and concepts in the study of political and economic development. Both theoretical approaches and empirical data are presented. The course is also designed to enhance students' analytical and research skills.
- Prerequisites:
- POL 241
Theory and Public Law - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). Choose one of the following courses:
A survey of Western political philosophy from Plato through the Conciliar Movement. An examination of the origin and development of basic concepts defining the relationship between the person and the state: human nature, community, authority, power, legitimacy, obligation, accountability, government, liberty and personal responsibility.
- Prerequisites:
- none
A survey of Western political philosophy from Machiavelli through Edmund Burke. An examination of the development of ideas about government from the 15th Century through the 18th Century. Emphasis is placed on origins of political authority, purposes for which government exists, relationships between government authority and individual rights, civic virtue, republicanism and democracy.
- Prerequisites:
- none
A survey of Western political philosophy from Hegel through the post-modernist writers. An examination of 19th and 20th Century political philosophers emphasizing German transcendentalism, utilitarianism, economic determinism, state socialism, neoliberism, communitarianism and post-modernism.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course explores topics in political philosophy beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with change of topic.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Political thought in the United States from the colonial period to the Civil War. Puritans, American revolution, republicanism, debate over United States Constitution, Jacksonian Democracy, Thoreau, reformers and religious and secular utopias, womens' rights, states' rights, abolitionism, proslavery.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Political thought in United States from reconstruction to present. Controversies over industrial capitalism: Social Darwinism, Utopian Socialism, Populism, Socialism, Progressivism. Women's Rights, suffrage movement and contemporary feminism; African American political thought: liberalism; conservatism.
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course explores topics in public law beyond what is covered in the existing curriculum. Students study specialized topics of current importance in the field. Specific topics will change depending on the term and instructor. May be retaken with a change of topic.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Legal procedures by which state and federal administrative agencies exercise legislative, judicial and executive powers. Emphasis is placed on the constitutional position of administrative agencies, the rule making process, the power of agencies to decide rights and obligations concerning individual cases, and judicial control of administrative action.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Review of selected U.S. Supreme Court decisions interpreting areas such as substantive due process, abortion, speech, press, religion, and equal protection. Focus is on the rationale which underlies decisions and the development of individual analytical abilities. Same as LAWE 436
- Prerequisites:
- none
This course examines major schools in American legal thought from the dawn of the 20th century to the present day. Our focus will lie with turn-of-the century formalism; legal realism; the legal process school; law and economics; and critical legal studies. We will apply legal reasoning from these schools to selected controversial 20th-century Supreme Court cases on church-state issues, gay and lesbian rights, privacy rights, criminal defendants' rights and other issues as appropriate.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Elective - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). Choose one course at the 300/400 level:
- Prerequisites:
- none
Other Graduation Requirements
See the Secondary 5-12 & K-12 Professional Education section of the bulletin for admission requirements for professional education and for a list of required professional education courses. Students will take two credits of general electives to meet the 120-credit degree requirement.
4-Year Plan
The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Fall - 16 Credits
Become informed enough to play your part in governing the United States. Start by learning about the Constitution, our rights and freedoms, how the national government works and the opportunities and challenges of citizen influence. Political Science methods, and the challenges of citizenship are emphasized.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05, GE-09
Emphasis on forces influencing employment and inflation. Current problems of the economy are stressed along with tools government has to cope with them.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05
Spring - 15 Credits
Discussion of theories of value and obligation.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-06, GE-09
Examines decision making by the individual firm, the determination of prices and wages, and current problems facing business firms.
- Prerequisites:
- none
- Goal Areas:
- GE-05
Second Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Basic statistical methods including measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability, probability distributions, sampling, problems of estimation and hypothesis testing in the case of one and two sample meaans and proportions. Chi-Square, one-way analysis of variance, simple regression and correlation analysis, and brief introduction to multiple regression analysis. Use of computer statistical packages required.
- Prerequisites:
- MATH 112 or equivalent
- Goal Areas:
- GE-02, GE-04
Spring - 15 Credits
A survey of imperfect competition, multiple-product firms, multiple-plant firms, and interest theory, designed to develop a system of economic thought.
- Prerequisites:
- ECON 201, ECON 202 and ECON 301
Third Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Spring - 15 Credits
Fourth Year
Fall - 15 Credits
Advanced study and research on topics not currently available in existing courses. May be repeated with a change of topic. Requires advisor and instructor approval of topic.
- Prerequisites:
- none
Spring - 15 Credits
Degree
Bachelor of Science
Major Credits
74
Total Credits
120
Locations
Mankato
Career Cluster
Education and Training
This program satisfies licensure-to-practice standards for Minnesota and may satisfy standards for other states or US territories.