B.S. in Behavioral & Social Sciences (Political Science Concentration)
The Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences degree is a multi-disciplinary degree with a strong core of introductory and advanced courses in the behavioral and social sciences.
Students choose one of three concentrations (political science, psychology, or sociology) as part of the Behavioral Sciences major. Students complete the degree with a multi-disciplinary capstone seminar course to be taken their final semester before graduation in which they examine a contemporary issue or problem from the various behavioral and social science perspectives, thereby integrating the knowledge gained throughout the degree and its major.
General Requirements for Graduation
- Complete a minimum of 36 credit hours in courses at 300 and 400 levels, with at least 18 credit hours in the major area.
- Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of upper division courses (200 level or above) at Indiana University East
- Complete at least 15 of the 21 hours in Concentration courses at Indiana University East
General Education (39 cr)
Composition & Communication (9)
- ENG-W 131 Elementary Composition I
- Choose one secondary Composition course:
- Choose one Communication course:
- SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking
- CMCL-C 223 Business Communication
College-level Mathematics (3)
Natural Science & Mathematics (9)
- Choose one Natural Science with lab:
Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Astronomy, Biology, Physical Geography
- Choose enough additional Natural Science or Mathematics courses to complete 9 credits
(The course used for the College-Level Mathematics requirement above may not be used for this requirement)
Humanities & Fine Arts (9)
- Choose 9 credits from at least 2 of the following disciplines:
Fine Art, History, Philosophy, Religious Studies, English, Theater, Music, Foreign Language, Telecommunications, Communication Studies
(Only one studio course)
Behavioral & Social Sciences (9)
- Satisfied by concentration requirements
Additional Requirements (3-5 cr)
First-Year Seminar (0-2)
Students entering the program with less than 12 credit hours of transferable credit are required to complete the First Year Seminar (UCOL-U 101).Information Literacy (3)
- COLI-S 330 Computerized Statistical Analysis
- COLI-S 360 Computers in Behavioral and Social Sciences
Degree Requirements (42 cr)
These courses are required by all B.S. in Behavioral & Social Science degrees.
General Core Requirements (15)
- BSS-B 130 Introduction to Behavioral and Social Sciences (3 cr) †
- PSY-P 103 General Psychology (3 cr)
- SOC-S 100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr)
- ANTH-A 104 Culture & Society (3 cr)
- POLS-Y 105 Introduction to Political Theory (3 cr)
† B130 Must be completed within first 30 hours of coursework.
Advanced Core Requirements (15)
- PSY-P 216 Lifespan Development (3)
- SOC-S 217 Social Inequality (3)
- POLS-Y 212 Making Democracy Work(3)
- Choose two additional courses, with advisor approval, at the 200 level or above, from two of the following disciplines: Political Science, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Social Work
Diversity Studies (3)
- Choose one from:
- POLS-Y 324 Women and Politics
- POLS-Y 325 Black Politics
- SOC-S 413 Gender and Society
- SOC-S 335 Race and Ethnic Relations
- Other Diversity courses may be used with Divisional approval.
Research Methods (3)
- Choose one from:
Statistics (3)
- PSY-K 300 Statistical Techniques (Research Methods course is a prerequisite)
Behavioral & Social Science Senior Seminar (3)
- BSS-B 490 Senior Seminar, to be taken during the senior year
Political Science Concentration (21 cr)
American Politics (6)
- POLS-Y 103 Introduction to American Politics
- POLS-Y 107 Introduction to Comparative Government
Advanced Requirements (15)
- Choose five Political Science courses at the 200 level and above. Students should consult their advisor for course availability.
Electives (27-29 cr)
For any concentration, sufficient additional courses should be taken to bring total credit hours to at least 123.
