Political Science, B.A., Specialization in Courts, Justice, and Politics

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This specialization is designed for students interested in pursuing a career or graduate study in law, rights advocacy, lobbying, and related fields. Students will study topics covering various aspects of law, including the lawmaking process, the judicial process, constitutional law, civil rights, and civil liberties.

Requirements for the liberal arts major in political science with a specialization in courts, justice, and politics

The major requires a minimum of 44 credits in political science as outlined below. Credit toward the major will only be allowed for courses completed with a grade of C or higher.

A. Core courses

PS 1100 - Introduction to American Politics (4)
PS 1600 - Issues in World Politics (4) or PS 1400 - Comparative Politics (4)
PS 2500 - The Research Process in Political Science (4)
PS 2550 - Data Analysis in Political Science (4)
PS 4970 - Seminar in American Politics (4)

B. Specialization required courses

PS 3020 - American Political Thought (4) or PS 3005 - Western Political Thought I (4) or PS 3010 - Western Political Thought II (4)
PS 3250 - Law and Politics (4)

C. Specialization electives (choose three)

PS 3105 - Congress and the Legislative Process (4)
PS 3115 - The Judicial Process (4)
PS 3255 - U.S. Constitutional Law (4)
PS 3260 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (4)
PS 3265 - Gender Discrimination and the Supreme Court (4)
PS 3660 - International Law (4)

D. One additional course (4 credits) in political science (PS)

E. One course selected from the comparative and international politics field if PS 3660 not elected from the specialization elective list above

See the list of comparative and international politics courses - category #2 under the three fields of political science.

Note

Students using this catalog to meet political science with a specialization in courts, justice, and politics major requirements may also use any course subsequently approved as satisfying requirements in the electives categories and published in a later catalog.

Additional Information

In addition to these major requirements, students must complete the Oakland University General Education Requirements, the College of Arts and Sciences College Exploratory Requirement, and an appropriate number of free elective classes to meet the overall credit requirement for the degree (in most cases 124; some degrees may require a greater number).

As a general rule, no more than eight credits of course work used to satisfy one major, minor or concentration may be applied toward another, but exceptions to this rule may be allowed with the written approval of the program coordinators.