Political science is the study of political institutions and power on a local, national and global scale. This includes the study of policy decisions, activism and the issues and principles that motivate people to become politically involved by voting or even putting their lives on the line. You’ll learn about the basis of citizenship in modern democracies and gain an understanding of the interplay of governments, diplomacy and foreign and domestic policies. A political science degree will prepare you for work in public service, law, business, nonprofits, education and a large number of contemporary careers that require analytical thinking.
New Hampshire’s status as the first-in-the-nation presidential primary state helps make UNH a hotbed of political science — locally and nationally. In addition to front-row seats to the action in major election cycles, you’ll have opportunities to participate in internships through the Concord Internship in New Hampshire’s capital or the Washington Center Internship in Washington, D.C. You’ll also have access to work experience at the UNH Survey Center, a nationally-renowned polling center on campus, and to student competitive activities such as our award-winning Model United Nations and Mock Trial teams. A five-year accelerated master’s program is also available.
Political Science Department
312 Horton Social Science Center
20 Academic Way
University of New Hampshire
Durham, NH 03824
Phone (603) 862-1750
TTY Users: 7-1-1 or 800-735-2964 (Relay NH)
Fax (603) 862-0178
The study of government and politics, to which the courses and seminars of the Department of Political Science are devoted, includes the development of knowledge of political behavior by individuals and groups as well as knowledge about governments: their nature and functions, their problems and behavior, and their interactions—at the national and international levels and at the local, state and regional levels.
Much of the learning offered by the Department of Political Science also can be regarded as essential for good citizenship, since political knowledge helps to explain the formal and informal institutions by which we are governed and the forces that lead to policy decisions, and also seeks to clarify the issues and principles that encourage people toward political involvement. It contributes to the store of knowledge necessary for informed citizenship. In addition, such learning is especially valuable to students planning to enter local or national government or other public service, including the Foreign Service, and it will be of great help to those who intend to study law and enter the legal profession. For teaching, particularly at the college level, and for many types of government service, graduate work may be indispensable. An undergraduate major in political science will provide a helpful foundation for any further study of politics and related fields in the social sciences and humanities. Such an emphasis also will be valuable for students seeking careers in journalism, international organizations, and the public affairs and administrative aspects of labor, financial and business organizations.
The major program in political science consists of at least 10 courses (40 credits) and not more than 12 courses (48 credits). The minimum grade requirement is C- per course. Any grade lower will not count toward major. The required minimum overall GPA for major coursework is 2.0.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Major Program Requirements 1 | ||
| POLT 401 | Politics and Society | 4 |
| POLT 402 | American Politics and Government | 4 |
| POLT 403 | United States in World Affairs | 4 |
| Six 500-level courses (select at least one from each of the four subfields listed below) | 24 | |
Subfield: American Politics | ||
POLT 500 | American Public Policy | |
POLT 502 | State and Local Government | |
POLT 504 | American Presidency | |
POLT 505 | American Congress | |
POLT 506 | Parties, Interest Groups, and Voters | |
POLT 507 | Politics of Crime and Justice | |
POLT 508 | Supreme Court and the Constitution | |
POLT 509 | Managing Bureaucracy in America | |
POLT 510 | Media and Politics | |
POLT 512 | Public Opinion in American Politics | |
POLT #513 | Civil Rights and Liberties | |
POLT 580 | Selected Topics Am Politics | |
POLT 584 | Selected Topics in Political Thought | |
Subfield: Political Thought | ||
POLT 520 | Politics, Justice, and Morality | |
POLT 521 | Rights and the Political Community | |
POLT 523 | American Political Thought | |
POLT 524 | Politics and Literature | |
POLT 524W | Politics and Literature | |
Subfield: Comparative Politics | ||
POLT 544 | Of Dictators and Democrats | |
POLT 545 | People and Politics in Asia | |
POLT 546 | Wealth and Politics in Asia | |
POLT 548 | Drug Wars | |
POLT 549 | The Politics of Markets | |
POLT 550 | Comparative Government and Society | |
POLT 552 | Contemporary European Politics | |
POLT #554 | Revolution and Protest in Latin America | |
POLT 556 | Politics in China | |
POLT #558 | Government and Politics of Canada | |
POLT 559 | Comparative Politics of the Middle East | |
POLT 588 | Selected Topics in Comparative Politics | |
Subfield: International Politics | ||
POLT 560 | World Politics | |
POLT #561 | Introduction to International Political Economy | |
POLT 562 | Strategy and National Security Policy | |
POLT 563 | The Global Information Grid's Disruptive Impact on Government, Politics, and Society | |
POLT 565 | United States Policy in Latin America | |
POLT 568 | Introduction to Intelligence | |
POLT 569 | The Rise of China | |
POLT 570 | Counterterrorism: Nation states' responses to terrorist activity | |
POLT 592 | Selected Topics in International Politics | |
Elective 2 | ||
Elective 2 | ||
| Discovery Program Capstone | 4 | |
Select one 700-level POLT course | ||
| Total Credits | 40 | |
| 1 | Once students declare the major, POLT 401, POLT 402, POLT 403 must be completed within the first calendar year. |
| 2 | ECON 402 Principles of Economics (Micro) or ECON 605 Intermediate Microeconomic Analysis and ECON 401 Principles of Economics (Macro) or ECON 611 Intermediate Macroeconomic Analysis may also be used to fulfill the fifth or sixth elective in this sequence. Additional economics courses will be considered by petition. Only one economics course can count toward this requirement. If students substitute an economics course for a POLT 500-level course, the economics course cannot be used to satisfy Discovery Program category requirements. |
Candidates for a degree must satisfy all of the University Discovery Program requirements in addition to satisfying the requirements of each individual major program. Bachelor of arts candidates must also satisfy the foreign language proficiency requirement.
Political Science majors may use one major-required course to satisfy one Discovery category requirement.
The Accelerated Master’s Program offers a unique opportunity for students to receive a BA and MA in 5 years. For complete details, including eligibility requirements and application instructions, please visit: POLitical science Accelerated Master's Degree
