Major requirements

Students must complete 30 credit hours in political science, (27 hours if you matriculated before May 2006) including:

1. Y205. It is strongly recommended that Y205 be taken in the first 9 hours of coursework in Political Science. (Y205 is recommended but not required for students who matriculated before May 2006.)

2. At least 15 credit hours of 300- and 400- level political science courses, excluding Y480, Y481, Y484, Y496, and Y499.

3. At least one course in American politics or public policy, law, and administration (Y301 through Y320, Y324-Y326, Y349, Y373, Y394).

4. At least one course in comparative politics or international relations (Y332-Y348, Y350-Y372, Y374-Y376, Y407).

5. At least one course in political theory and methodology (Y379, Y381 through Y388, Y395, Y405, Y406).

6. One Y490 seminar. (Y490 is the new course number for Y396, and fulfills the Y396 course requirement for students who matriculated before May 2006.)

No more than 6 credit hours of 100-level courses and 9 combined credit hours of Y200 and Y401 (courses with variable topics) may be included in the 30 credit hours.

Note: Y200 and Y401 may be repeated only once for credit. Students must complete the degree requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences

Minor requirements

A student must complete the following:

1. A total of 18 credit hours in Political Science, of which at least 9 shall be at the 300 or 400 level. (15 credit hours if you matriculated before May 2006)

2. Y205. It is strongly recommended that Y205 be taken in the first 9 hours of coursework in Political Science (This course is recommended but not required for student who matriculated before May 2006.)

3. At least two courses in one of the following blocks of courses and at least one course from one of the other two blocks.


a. American politics, public policy, law, and administration (Y301 through Y320, Y324 through Y326, Y349, Y373, Y394).

b. Comparative politics or international relations (Y332 through Y348, Y350-Y372, Y374 through Y376, Y407).

c. Political theory and methodology (Y379, Y381 through Y388, Y395, Y405, Y406).

4. Only three hours of credit in Y481 may be counted toward the minor.

5. At least 9 credit hours of the above courses must be taken in residence at the Bloomington campus.

For information about the Interdepartmental Major or Minor in Political Science and Economics or the Interdepartmental Major in Political Science and Philosophy, or for additional information about the Political Science major or minor, please contact Marsha Franklin mfrankli@indiana.edu, or Joelene Bergonzi jbergonz@indiana.edu the Undergraduate Advisors for the department. Also do consult the POLS Student Handbook which you can get in WH 210 if you do not have a copy!