Ray V. Christensen, Chair
745 SWKT, (801) 422-5133
College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences Advisement Center
151 SWKT, (801) 422-3541
Admission to Degree Program
All degree programs in the Department of Political Science are
open enrollment.
The Discipline
The political science major is designed to fulfill the admonition of
the Doctrine and Covenants (88:79–80) to teach one another
"things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and
the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on
the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms that
ye may be prepared in all things."
Politics extends far beyond the immediate concerns of
politicians or pollsters; it is essential to the human condition.
Since we are all shaped by the institutions we inhabit, political
science helps us to understand not only our world but ourselves.
It involves fundamental choices concerning our life in
communities whether locally, nationally, or globally. Without
politics there could be only chaos and conflict. With politics there
is the chance for order and thus the opportunity to seek
prosperity and fulfillment. Often conflictual but just as often
cooperative, politics reflects our basic needs and interests, our
highest aspirations, and the often harsh requirements of power.
Political science involves this full range of inquiry, including
questions of "who gets what," questions of the best or most just
political order, and questions of the nature, uses, and abuses of
power. Political science students will be exposed to a broad range
of perspectives or great ideas about politics to better understand
questions such as "Why is campaign finance reform so difficult?"
"Why did the Soviet Union fall?" "Were the Athenians justified in
condemning Socrates to death?" and "Do democracies fight fewer
wars?" Students will learn a variety of methods ranging from
statistical analysis of quantifiable data to historical comparison of
institutions to reflection on influential texts. Before graduating,
students will not only better define their own values and ideas
about politics but also develop their own significant research
project as political scientists. Students will be prepared "in all
things" to influence their communities for the better.
Career Opportunities
The Political Science Department offers an undergraduate degree
in political science for students who are preparing for graduate
study in related fields, professional degrees (law or business), or a
wide variety of public service occupations, or for liberal arts
students who are interested in an undergraduate major that
focuses on challenging questions facing modern society.
Students may emphasize the subfields of American politics,
comparative politics, international politics, political philosophy, or
public policy.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in
addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following
university requirements:
- The university core, consisting of requirements in general and
religious education. (See the University Core section of this
catalog for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet
university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
- A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
Undergraduate Programs and Degrees
| BA |
Political Science |
| Minors |
Political Science
Political Science Teaching |
Students should see their college advisement center for help or
information concerning the undergraduate programs.
General Information
All political science students should enrich their undergraduate
education and enhance their career prospects with an off-campus
internship experience. Several high-quality opportunities are
available for which credit may be earned toward the major or
minor.
Washington Seminar. Students from any academic discipline
spend a semester or term in Washington, D.C., working in
government, business, communications, or the arts.
Complementing course work involving readings and briefings on
contemporary national issues is part of the curriculum. From 6 to
12 hours of upper-division credit may be earned.
Utah State Legislature Internship. During each winter semester
students from any academic discipline may work as interns in the
Utah State Legislature. Students interested in legislative and
public policy processes will particularly benefit from the
experience. Complementing course work on state government can
be taken in conjunction with the internship. From 6 to 12 hours of
upper-division credit may be earned.
State and Local Government Internships. Throughout the year
students may intern with city, county, or state governments, as
well as the district offices of U.S. senators and representatives
(availability of positions may vary). From 3 to 6 hours of upper-division
credit may be earned.
International Internships. The International Internship Program
at the David M. Kennedy Center places students in a variety of
internships with foreign governments and international
institutions.
Requirements
- Internships should be completed during the junior or senior
year. Prior to the internship students should have completed
Pl Sc 110 and 200.
- Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.7
or better (Washington Seminar requires a 3.0) and be in good
academic standing. Strong research and writing skills are
important qualifications.
- All internship programs have a strong and complementing
academic component to help students gain the most from their
experience. Students completing any of the above internships
must be enrolled for credit.
