Program Overview

The Department of Political Science administers a major in American Politics. The undergraduate major, totaling 42 credits, serves our undergraduate students who choose Drake for the distinct experiential environment available in Des Moines and on campus, allowing consistent and meaningful participation in local, state, and national politics. The American Politics major offers students a unique learning environment that synthesizes rigorous academic study alongside practical experience and skills, exemplifying the Drake mission statement’s focus on “collaborative learning among students, faculty, and staff” and “the integration of the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation.”

B.A. Degree Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
POLS 001	THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM	3
POLS 065	COMPARATIVE POLITICS	3
POLS 110	METHODS IN POLITICS	3
Select one of the following Theoretical Foundations Courses:		3
POLS 182	THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
POLS 185	AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT
Select two of the following Political Institutions Courses:		6
POLS 101	CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
POLS 102	THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY
POLS 103	JUDICIAL POLITICS
POLS 106	STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT
POLS 115	PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATION PROCESS
POLS 119	TOPICS IN AMERICAN GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
POLS XXX
POLS 135	SUPREME COURTS & ELECTIONS
POLS 137	POLITICS & PARLIAMENTS
Select two of the following Public Policy Debate Courses:		6
LPS 133	DRUGS, LAW, AND SOCIETY
LPS 137	AMERICAN INDIAN LAW AND POLITICS
LPS 138	REPRODUCTIVE LAW AND POLICY IN THE UNITED STATES
POLS 112	WOMEN IN POLITICS
POLS 117	RACE AND AMERICAN POLITICS
POLS 152	TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE
POLS 154	HUMAN TRAFFICKING
POLS 156	GLOBAL HEALTH
POLS 162	GENDER AND WAR
POLS 177	POLITICAL ECONOMY OF GLOBALIZA
POLS 178	INTERNATIONAL LAW
SOC 105	RACE, GENDER & POVERTY
SOC 140	YOUTH AND CRIME
SOC 145	FOOD & SOCIETY
SOC 154	POVERTY & SOCIETY
Select one of the following Political Behavior Courses:		3
POLS 113	AMERICAN ELECTORAL PROCEDURES
POLS 114	PUBLIC OPINION
POLS 116	THE MEDIA IN MODERN POLITICS
POLS 134	COMPARATIVE POLITICAL PARTIES AND INTEREST GROUPS
Select 9 credits in related professional skills with no more than 6 credits awarded through internships: 1		9
POLS 193	INTERNSHIP IN POLITICS
POLS 194	INTERNSHIP IN POLITICS
Total Hours		36

¹

Students may complete this requirement with a double major in Strategic Political Communication or Data Analytics.
 

In addition to programmatic requirements, students are responsible for satisfying all requirements of the Drake Curriculum, including Areas of Inquiry (AOI)

Student must also satisfy university graduation requirements for all undergraduate students..