About

Can you picture yourself running a major political campaign? Are you interested in learning how to create policies or work in organizations that address the problems that families face? Are you interested in analyzing information to detect threats to our national security?

East Carolina's political science program allows you to work closely with dynamic teachers studying a wide range of subjects, ranging from United States politics to war and terrorism, and various areas of comparative politics, international relations and public policy.

You will take some required introductory courses to ground you in the disciplines, which will prepare you to study a wide variety of specific subjects. As a classic liberal arts degree, the BA allows you to shape your curriculum by focusing on the specific classes and fields which most interest you.

A political science degree provides you the opportunity to learn about the world, and polish skills in writing, research and analysis, and developing and presenting clear and persuasive arguments about issues which may impact people's daily lives.

ECU Advantage

The study of politics is interesting and exciting, and engages you in the larger world. Political science has great teachers doing cutting-edge research in their fields and bringing that knowledge and energy into the classroom. The skills you learn and the contacts you develop will help you to build the career and life you choose.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Jody Baumgartner (A-114 Brewster Building; 252-328-2843; baumgartnerjo@ecu.edu)

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

    2. Demonstrated foreign language proficiency through level 2004 - 12 s.h.

    (For information about the foreign language requirement view Special Requirements for the BA Degree in the Academic Advisement, Progression and Support Services section and Placement Testing, Foreign Language in the Admission and Readmission section.)

      3. Core - 36 s.h.
      • POLS 1010 - National Government
      • POLS 2010 - Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
      • POLS 2020 - Introduction to International Relations
      • POLS 2090 - Writing for Political Science
      • POLS 3031 - Research Design for Political Science
        • Choose 3 s.h. from:
        • POLS 2070 - Introduction to Political Theory
        • POLS 3008 - Topics in Political Theory
        • POLS 3050 - Theory and Politics of Social and Protest Movements in the United States
        Choose a minimum of 18 s.h. of POLS above 2999
        4. Minor (or second major) and electives to complete requirements for graduation.

        (No course counted for the POLS major may count for the POLS minor.)

          For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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