Courses
The 18 credits of course work include at least one course in each of the following political science areas: American politics, theory/methodology, comparative politics, and international relations. Six of these 18 credits must be at the 400 level. A grade of "C" or better is required in all courses that you take to fulfill requirements for the minor.
Convenient and Flexible
Each course is taught using a blend of web technology, print, and other media to maximize flexibility while maintaining teacher and student interaction. As a Penn State online student, you have the opportunity to learn when and where it's most convenient for you.
Course List - Political Science Minor
| Title | Abbreviation | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to American National Government | PL SC 001 | Introduction to development and nature of American political culture, constitutional/structural arrangements, electoral/policy processes; sources of conflict and consensus. | 3 credits |
| Introduction to Comparative Politics | PL SC 003 | Introduction to study of comparative government and politics: normative/ empirical theories; government functions in modern societies; representative structures and processes. | 3 credits |
| International Relations | PL SC 014 | Characteristics of modern nation-states and forces governing their international relations; nationalism; imperialism; diplomacy; current problems of war and peace. | 3 credits |
| Introduction to Political Theory | PL SC 017 | Introduction to basic issues in political theory through analysis of selected major political thinkers. | 3 credits |
| Rights in America | PL SC 110 | This course explores the historical and contemporary struggles of particular groups within American society to expand their rights. | 3 credits |
| International Relations Theory | PL SC 418W | A survey of traditional and contemporary conceptual frameworks and theoretical approaches for the analysis of international relations. | 3 credits |
| The Politics of Terrorism | PL SC 439 | Analysis of political terrorism as a violent alternative for peaceful change and traditional warfare in the nuclear age. | 3 credits |
| American Foreign Policy | PL SC 442 | Principles of American foreign policy; processes of policy formulation; roles of the President, Congress, the State Department, and other government agencies. | 3 credits |
| Governments and Politics of Western Europe | PL SC 455 | Comparative analysis of political and governmental structures of major West European nations; main functions and processes of such structures. | 3 credits |
| Politics and Institutions of Latin-American Nations | PL SC 456 | Social forces and processes, governmental institutions, foreign policies of major states of Latin America. | 3 credits |
| American Constitutional Law | PL SC 471 | The origins of judicial review, landmark decisions of the Supreme Court, and their impact on the American form of government. | 3 credits |
| The American Legal Process | PL SC 472 | Analysis of the roles, procedures, and policies characterizing the American legal system. | 3 credits |
| Congress and the Presidency | PL SC 480W | This course examines states, markets, power, production, and the relations between the various transnational agents who act in these areas. | 3 credits |
| Policy Making and Evaluation | PL SC 490 | Advanced analysis of public policy, emphasizing policy evaluation and the factors that determine policy success and failure. | 3 credits |
Course Schedule
See course start and end periods and semesters offered on the Penn State World Campus student resources website.