Political Science

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Political science is the study of the theory and practice of government and politics. Students of politics describe and analyze political systems and behavior. Baccalaureate programs offer courses in areas such as public administration, public law, international relations, comparative politics, political behavior, political philosophy, and U.S. government. Community and junior college students interested in pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science are strongly encouraged to complete an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree prior to transfer. A minimum of 60 semester credits is required for transfer as a junior into a baccalaureate Political Science program. Since admission is competitive, completing the courses recommended below does not by itself guarantee admission.

The following list of courses is designed for students choosing to begin their college career at one Illinois school and later transfer to another.

Illinois Articulation Initiative Recommendations

Joliet Junior College participates in the IAI majors panels for the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees to help students transfer major courses to an Illinois college or university that participates in IAI. Transferability of major courses is still dependent upon the transfer institution accepting the courses as major courses. An updated list of courses is available at www.itransfer.org/iai/majors and www.itransfer.org/iai/articulationTables. Students should also check the transferability of courses through u.select (formerly known as CAS), which can be found at www.itransfer.org/uselect. Always consult the four-year college or university to which you plan to transfer and work with a counselor or an adviser at JJC. Note that students do not graduate with a transfer major from a community college but rather the community college prepares students to have the flexibility to transfer and to choose a major from a number of different areas. Students must be responsible to seek information to make good curriculum choices. Students should recognize that, even though they may be admitted to a four-year transfer institution, they may need to meet that institution’s separate requirements to be admitted into a particular major.

Political Science Core Requirement

PSCI 101 - American National Government

Recommended Political Science Course

PSCI 103 - Introduction to Comparative Government

Total Required Hours: 3-6 Semester Hours

IAI General Education Recommendations

I. Communication: 9 Semester Hours

II. Social and Behavioral Sciences: 9 Semester Hours

Select courses from at least two different areas from IAI Social/Behavioral Sciences. PSCI 102 is recommended.

III. Humanities and Fine Arts: 9 Semester Hours

Select one course from IAI Humanities and one course from IAI Fine Arts and one course from either IAI Humanities or Fine Arts.

IV. Physical and Life Sciences: 7-8 Semester Hours

Select one course from IAI Physical Sciences. Select one course from IAI Life Sciences. Select at least one laboratory course.