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Political Science Concentration

Associate in Arts Behavioral, Social Sciences & Global Learning - History and Social Sciences

This curriculum map contains the new General Education Requirements. Current students should log in to BHCC Self-Service to review their specific program requirements or contact Advising & LifeMap for more information. Prospective students should go to bhcc.edu/admissions and contact an admissions counselor.
Semester 1 Credits Milestone GenEd Note Pre-req Expand
HUM-120 Self, Culture and Society
Elective Humanities or Fine Arts Elective
3

This course satisfies Learning Communities requirement.
ENG-111 College Writing I
3

This course meets the General Education requirement for Academic Discourse.

(Formerly Area 1)

Prerequisites: ENG-095 and RDG-095, ELL-103 or placement
PSC-101 Gov/Politics in US
3

Milestone courses should be taken in the order shown.

This course meets the General Education requirement for Community & Cultural Contexts.

Prerequisites: ESL-098 or RDG-095 and ESL-099 or ENG-090, or ELL-103 or placement.
PSC-150 Intro to Political Theory
3

Prerequisites: ESL-098 or RDG-095 and ENG-095, or ELL-103 or placement
MAT-181 Statistics
3

This course meets the General Education requirement for Quantitative Problem Solving.

Prerequisites: C or better MAT-098 or MAT-097 or placement
Total Credits:
Semester 1 Advising Note:
  • Students enrolling in this degree program can earn World Studies Emphasis certification simultaneously.
  • New degree-seeking students enrolled in 9 credits or more must take a Learning Community Seminar or a Learning Community Cluster within their first year.
Semester 2 Credits Milestone GenEd Note Pre-req Expand
PSC-210 State/Local Politics
Approved PSC 200 level course
3

Prerequisites: ESL-098 or RDG-095 and ENG-095, or ELL-103 or placement
ENG-112 College Writing II
3

This course meets the General Education requirement for Research Writing.
GenEd-SR Scientific Reasoning
4

This course meets the General Education requirement for Scientific Reasoning.
PSC-220 Introduction to International Relations
3

Prerequisite: ENG-111
GenEd-CW Creative Work
3

This course meets the General Education requirement for Creative Work.
Total Credits:
Semester 2 Advising Note:
  • Begin exploring transfer options: attend a transfer workshop and the College transfer fair.
  • Meet with an advisor to begin career planning activities.
  • PSC-210 is recommended for students interested in public policy.
Semester 3 Credits Milestone GenEd Note Pre-req Expand
GEO-101 World Regional Geography
ECO-201 Macroeconomics
ECO-202 Microeconomics
 3

Prerequisites for GEO-101: ESL-098 or RDG-095 and ENG-090 or ESL-099; or ELL-103 or placement

Prerequisites for ECO-201: MAT-097 or MAT-098 or higher and RDG-095 or ESL-098 or ELL-103

Prerequisites for ECO-202: MAT-097 or MAT-098 or higher and RDG-095 or ESL-098 or ELL-103
PSC-211 Introduction to Comparative Politics
3

Milestone courses should be taken in the order shown.

Prerequisite: ENG-111
GenEd-E General Education Elective
3

This course meets the General Education requirement for General Education Elective.
Elective Natural or Physical Science Elective
4
Elective Humanities and Fine Arts Elective
3
Total Credits:
Semester 3 Advising Note:
  • Electives should be based on the career goals and interests of the student, e.g. Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Pre Law.
  • PSC-211 serves as the capstone course for the concentration for those students who do not choose HON 200 as an elective or complete internships through the Community Engagement office.
  • Continue preparations for transfer: write essays for transfer institution, collect letters of recommendation, apply for transfer.
  • Complete a pre-graduation check with an advisor in LifeMap
Semester 4 Credits Milestone GenEd Note Pre-req Expand
REL-111 World Religions
HIS-111 History of the Pre-Modern World
HIS-112 Modern World History
HIS-151 History: From Colonization through the Civil War
HIS-152 U.S. History: Reconstruction to Present
 3

Prerequisites for HIS-111, HIS-112, HIS-151, HIS-152: ESL-098 or RDG-095 and ENG-095, or ELL-103 or placement

 
Elective Humanities and Fine Arts Elective
3
Elective Elective
3
Elective Elective
3
Elective Elective
3
Total Credits:
Semester 4 Advising Note:
  • Electives should be based on the career goals and interests of the student, e.g. Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy, Pre Law.
  • A third Humanities and Fine Arts elective will not be necessary if taken during first semester.
  • See an advisor about World Studies emphasis certification
  • Apply for graduation
Last Modified Date: August 20, 2021
Approved for the 2021-2023 College Catalog

Upon Completion of this Concentration Graduates will be able to:

  • Articulate the legal, ideological, and theoretical basis for different governing systems.
  • Interpret what the US Constitution and other foundational documents mean in light of current social issues and debates.
  • Exhibit a fundamental knowledge of the dynamics of governmental institutions and politics at the national and international levels.
  • Engage in dialogue about contemporary policy issues such as finance, economic development, education, criminal justice, social justice, healthcare, and environmental policy.
  • Research the development and implementation of public policy.
  • Analyze the dynamics of participatory democracy by engaging the institutions of civil society.
  • Explain how the various channels of citizen influence operate at each level of government.
  • Generate scholarly arguments about enduring and contemporary political questions.

Career Outlook

Graduates of this concentration qualify for entry-level positions with an associate’s degree, and are encouraged to transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree for further career advancement. Degrees in political science prepare students for careers in fields including public policy, government, journalism, activism, polling and research, community advocacy, labor organizing, and international relations. Political science is often described as a “pre-law” major, an ideal foundation for students planning to go to law school.