Majors and Minors

Requirements for Major

• A minimum of eight units in political science, including 105 and at least one unit in each of the four subfields in the department: American government and politics, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. In addition, students are required to take and pass Political Science 201: Scope and Methods of Political Science. It is expected that six of the eight units in political science will be taken at Albion College. Other arrangements can be made for bona fide transfer students and students in approved off-campus programs. Exceptions are at the discretion of the department chair after consultation with other faculty members in the department.
• No more than one unit of 391 or 392 (internships) may be counted toward a major.
• All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis. In order for a course to count for the political science major, the student must earn at least a 2.0 in the course.
• Political science majors are strongly encouraged to achieve basic competency in statistics (Mathematics 109 or Mathematics 210 are appropriate) and at least one foreign language.

Note: Freshmen may enroll in 300-level courses only with permission of the instructor.

Requirements for Minor

• Six units in political science, including: 101, one additional unit in the area of American politics (including law-related courses), one unit in political theory, one unit of any course that qualifies as comparative (305, 319, 352, or any 289 that the chair qualifies as comparative), and two electives in any subfield.

Requirements for Major with Secondary Education Certification

• A minimum of eight units in political science, including: 101, 105, 216, 323, 336, 356.
• Two elective one-unit political science courses, one that is 200-level or higher and one that is 300-level or higher.
• History 131.
• No more than one unit of 391 or 392 (internships) may be counted toward a major.
• All courses for the major must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis. In order for a course to count for the political science major, the student must earn at least a 2.0 in the course.
• Political science majors are strongly encouraged to achieve basic competency in statistics (Mathematics 109 or Mathematics 210 are appropriate) and at least one foreign language.
• Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

It is expected that six of the eight units in political science will be taken at Albion College. Other arrangements can be made for bona fide transfer students and students in approved off-campus programs. Exceptions are at the discretion of the department chair after consultation with other faculty members in the department.

Requirements for Minor with Secondary Education Certification

• Five units in political science, including: 101, 216, 323, 336, 356.
• History 131.
• Completion of all other requirements for teacher certification.

Requirements for Social Studies Major with Elementary or Secondary Education Certification

Students interested in pursuing elementary or secondary education certification in social studies may choose to major in social studies. The detailed requirements for the major with elementary certification and secondary certification are provided in this catalog or are available from the Education Department.