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B.A. in Political Science – International Affairs

College: College of Arts and Sciences
Program: Political Science
See Also: Department of Political Science

Political science is the study of “who gets what, when, and how” in the distribution of goods and values in society and in groups. Specifically, political scientists study the determinants of such distributions, including political parties and voters, public opinion, interest groups, bureaucracies and administrative behavior, public law, international relations, international law and organizations, national security, intergovernmental relations, political behavior, political philosophy, comparative politics, public policy, and conflict.  Students may specialize in any of the five fields of the discipline: American politics and government, comparative politics, international politics, political theory, and public policy and administration.

Suggested Schedule of Courses

This is a suggested 4-year schedule of courses based on degree requirements in the current catalog. 

This guide is not a substitute for academic advisement – contact your advisement office if you have any questions about scheduling or about your degree requirements.  Also see the Undergraduate Catalog for a complete list of requirements and electives to choose from.

Students may choose to attend a summer term to reduce their course load during fall or spring semesters but still stay on track to graduate in four years.

Freshman Year

Term 1
Course Hours
Engl 1101 3
Math 1101 3
Pols 1101 3
GSU 1010 1
Area D Elective 4
Total Hours 14
Term 2
Course Hours
Engl 1102 3
PolS 2401 3
Area B Elective 2
Area C Elective 3
Area D Elective 4
Total Hours 15
Freshman Milestones:
  • Complete all Area A requirements
  • Attend the major fair and declare a major


Sophomore Year

Term 3
Course Hours
Lang 1002 3
Area B Elective 2
Area C Elective 3
Area E Elective 3
Area F Elective 3
Area F Elective 3
Total Hours 17
Term 4
Course Hours
Hist 2110 3
Area D Elective 3
Area E Elective 3
Area F Elective 3
Area F Elective 3
Total Hours 15
Sophomore Milestones:
  • Complete all core requirements
  • Complete all Area F requirements


Junior Year

Term 5
Course Hours
PolS 3200 3
*PolS 3800 3
Area H Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Total Hours 15
Term 6
Course Hours
PolS 3400 3
Area G Elective 3
Area G Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Total Hours 15
Junior Milestones:
  • Meet with Faculty Adviser
  • Register with Career Services Office


Senior Year

Term 7
Course Hours
Area G Elective 3
Area G Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Total Hours 15
Term 8
Course Hours
PolS 4900 3
Area G Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Area H Elective 3
Total Hours 15
Senior Milestones:
  • Students must have 39 hours at GSU taken at the 3000/4000 level for residency, and complete 120 hours required for graduation

*This course will fulfill the CTW requirement.