B. A. in Politics (Government and Political Philosophy)
Overview
To be eligible for acceptance into the degree program, the student must have earned at least a “C” grade in PO201. The last 18 credits taken to fulfill the requirements of the Politics major must be taken at Belmont Abbey College. Students transferring from accredited institutions may transfer a maximum of 9 credits at the 300-400 level.
An internship (PO451-456) is not required for the major, but strongly recommended. Students interested in International Relations are encouraged to take a modern language; students interested in political theory are encouraged to take Greek or Latin.
Students in the Honors College may apply HO314, HO403, and HO407 toward their section III courses.
Regular consultation with a faculty advisor is recommended. It is the student’s responsibility to see that all degree requirements for graduation are fulfilled.
Curriculum Requirements
The Core Curriculum (50-53 hours)
Please reference the Core Curriculum Requirements
Students in the Honors College should substitute the PO Core Curriculum courses PO201, PO211, and PO212 with HO206, HO306, and HO308.
Major Program Requirements
Students majoring in Politics are required to take and maintain a “B” average in the following courses:
| PO309 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| | |
| PO331 | The American Congress | 3 |
| Or | |
| PO332 | The American Presidency | 3 |
| | |
| PO299 | Fundamentals of International Relations | 3 |
| PO361 | The American Founding | 3 |
| PO450W | Research Methods in Politics | 3 |
Upper-Level Requirements
| 12 additional Politics courses at 300 level or above | 12 |
| And | |
| PO490 | Thesis Research | 3 |
Other Courses (37-40 hours)
| Foreign Language (two courses of same language) | 6 |
| Upper-level course (300 or above) in Economics | 3 |
| Upper-level course (300 or above) in History | 3 |
| Upper-level course (300 or above) in Theology | 3 |
General Elective Courses (13-16 hours)