College Catalog Programs of Study 2011-2012

SOCIAL SCIENCES
Political Science Specialization

 

Associate of Science Degree

AL

Purpose:  This program is designed for persons who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university to complete a baccalaureate degree. Graduates will have the knowledge, skills, and abilities equivalent with students entering the junior level at four-year colleges and universities.

Transfer Information:  This program provides transfer paths that include the general education courses and introductory major courses that students typically take during the first two years at a four year college or university when they are majoring in a social science. Because senior institutions differ in their requirements, students are strongly urged to work with their assigned advisor or a counselor and to acquaint themselves with the requirements of the major department in the college or university to which they plan to transfer. The responsibility for proper course selection rests with the student.

Two Years Credits
1st Semester
ENG 111 College Composition I 3
1HIS HIS    Elective 3
2MTH 151 Math for the Liberal Arts I or higher level 3
PLS 120 Intro to Political Science 3
PLS 135 American National Politics or 241 International Relations I 3
3SDV 100 College Success Skills 1
Total   16
2nd Semester
5___ Natural Science/Lab elective 4
4ENG 112 College Composition II 3
ITE 115 Intro to Computer Applications & Concepts 3
2MTH 152 Math for the Liberal Arts II or higher level MTH 3
6PLS 136 State and Local Politics or see footnote 6 3
Total   16
3rd Semester
5___ ___    Natural Science/Lab Elective 4
7___ ___    Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3
CST 110 Introduction to Speech Communication or CST 126 Interpersonal Communication or CST 229 Intercultural Communication 3
8PLS PLS    Elective 3
9SOC SOC    Elective 3
Total   16
4th Semester
7___ ___    Humanities/Fine Arts Elective 3
10___ ___    General Education Elective 3
12___ ___    Social Science Elective 3
11PED 116 Lifetime Fitness & Wellness 2
8PLS PLS    Elective 3
Total   14
Total credits for the Political Science Specialization=62

1 HIS 101 or 102 are recommended to meet the Western Civilization requirement at many universities. Other HIS courses may be chosen from the list of approved general education courses.

2 Many universities require MTH 151 or higher while others require MTH 163 or 166 or higher, often including a statistics course for majors in the social sciences. It is therefore important that students confer with a counselor to determine the appropriate mathematics courses for their intended transfer university.

3 Students can take the SDV 101 Orientation section related to their particular program.

4 ENG 125 may be substituted with the advice of a counselor or faculty advisor according to requirements of transfer institutions.

5 The science elective may be selected from biology, chemistry, physics, geology, or natural science courses with a lab component, listed under General Education Electives. Some four-year colleges require a two-semester sequence.

6 Students who take PLS 135 American National Politics must also take PLS 136 State and Local Politics. Students who take PLS 241 International Relations I, must also choose from one of the following courses: PLS 242 International Relations II; PLS 140 Intro to Comparative Politics; PLS 200 Political Ideologies; PLS 250 Intro to Conflict Resolution; PLS 255 Intro to Peace and Stability Operations; or SSC 115 Intro to Global Affairs.

7 Humanities/fine arts elective may be selected from the humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives. Electives should be selected with advice of a counselor or faculty advisor to meet requirements of the transfer institution. Students who plan to transfer into a BA program should take intermediate level foreign language to fulfill these electives.

8 PLS electives include any of the following: PLS 135 American National Politics; PLS 136 State and Local Politics; PLS 140 Intro to Comparative Politics; PLS 200 Political Ideologies; PLS 211 US Government I; PLS 212 US Government II; PLS 220 Political Parties and Elections in the US; PLS 225 US Presidency; PLS 230 Congress of the US; PLS 241 International Relations I; PLS 242 International Relations II; PLS 250 Intro to Conflict Resolution; PLS 255 Intro to Peace and Stability Operations; and SSC 115 Intro to Global Affairs.

9 SOC 201, 202, 211 or 212 are recommended to meet the Sociology requirement at many universities.

10 General Education Electives may be met by one of the courses listed under General Education Electives.

11 The PED requirement may be met by one of the following options: PED 116, 2 cr.; PED 116, 1 cr. plus a PED activities course, 1 cr.; or PED 116, 1 cr. plus RPK activities course. PED 116 is offered as both a 1-credit and a 2-credit course.

12 The social science elective may be selected from the social/behavioral sciences courses listed under General Education Electives. To meet requirements at many universities, students should enroll in at least one U.S. History course and one Western Civilization course. Students should consult with a counselor to determine the appropriate social science courses for their intended transfer university.