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POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science majors at BHSU master critical analysis, research, and writing skills. These skills are always in demand by employers, which allows the individual equipped with a degree in Political Science to pursue a wide variety of career opportunities in the private and public sector. A Political Science degree at BHSU offers:

A CHALLENGING academic environment that helps inspire students to excel.
INTERNSHIP opportunities with state and federal representatives.
SMALL CLASSES and direct contact with professors.
RECENT JOB PLACEMENTS AND GRADUATE SCHOOL PLACEMENT include:
- Community Development Specialist-Planner, Black Hills Council of Local Governments
- Public Policy Fellow, AFLAC
- Master of Public Policy (MPP), Northeastern University
- President, South Dakota Chapter, National Organization for Women
- Legislative Aide, Ohio House of Representatives
- Consultant, United Today, Stronger Tomorrow

Major
Minor

Political Science Major

Required Core - 12 semester hours

3 POLS 100 - American Government (gen ed)
3 POLS 141 - Governments of the World
3 POLS 250 - Introduction to International Relations
3 POLS 263 - Intro to Political Theory

Civic Leadership - Choose 5 courses (15 credits)

3 POLS 210 - State and Local Government
3 POLS 312 - Public Opinion and Polling
3 POLS 320 - Public Administration
3 POLS 327 - Policy and Crisis
3 POLS 406 - Power and the Presidency
3 POLS 417 - American Indian Government and Politics
3 POLS 430 - Constitutional Law
3 POLS 470 - Contemporary Debates in Political Thought
3 POLS 472 - Great Debates of the American Founding
3 POLS 494 - Internship

Global Citizenship - Choose 3 courses (9 credits)

3 POLS 342 - Revolution and Revolt
3 POLS 376 - Democracy and Democratization
3 POLS 377 - International Orders of War and Peace
3 POLS 411 - International Political Economy
3 POLS 459 - Political Geography
3 POLS 469 - American Foreign Relations

Social Science/Humanities Reciprocity - 6 semester hours

3 Elective with prefixes: AIS, LAKL, ANTH, CMST, GEOG, HIST, POLS, PSYC, SOC
3 Elective with prefixes: ART, ARTH, ENGL, FREN, GER, HUM, MCOM, PHIL, RUSS, SPAN, THEA

Gen Ed Requirements

ENGL 101 - Composition I
ENGL 201 - Composition II
MATH Gen Ed - Mathematics
CMST Gen Ed - Speech
6 Gen Ed - Social Science
6 Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities
6-8 Gen Ed - Natural Science & Lab

A minor is required with this major plus electives to total 120 hours, of which 36 hours must be 300-400 level courses.

Political Science Minor

Minor in Political Science - 18 hours

3 POLS 100 - American Government
3 POLS 141 - Governments of the World
3 POLS 250 - Introduction to International Relations
3 POLS 263 - Intro to Political Theory

Civic Leadership - Take one of the following

3 POLS 210 - State & Local Government
3 POLS 312 - Public Opinion and Polling
3 POLS 320 - Public Administration
3 POLS 327 - Policy and Crisis
3 POLS 406 - Power and the Presidency
3 POLS 417 - American Indian Government & Politics
3 POLS 430 - Constitutional Law
3 POLS 470 - Contemporary Debates in Political Thought
3 POLS 472 - Great Debates of the American Founding
3 POLS 494 - Internship

Global Citizenship - Take one of the following

3 POLS 342 - Revolution and Revolt
3 POLS 376 - Democracy and Democratization
3 POLS 377 - International Orders of War and Peace
3 POLS 411 - International Political Economy
3 POLS 459 - Political Geography
3 POLS 469 - American Foreign Relations

Political Science Teaching Minor

Minor in Political Science - Teaching - 18 hours

3 POLS 100 - American Government
3 POLS 141 - Governments of the World
3 POLS 210 - State & Local Government
3 POLS 250 - Introduction to International Relations
3 POLS 263 - Intro to Political Theory
3 SEED 415 7-12 Social Science Methods*

*SEED 415 is required for Secondary Education. Those taking Elementary Education should replace this with an additional three hours of Political Science electives.

*Current students, please refer to the DegreeWorks Dashboard in MyBHSU to confirm your major requirements.

JUSTIN LOGUE, CLASS OF 2019
During his time with BHSU, Justin Logue also traveled internationally and studied abroad in Lithuania.

Logue says, “As a political science student, I was able to work alongside three other political science students to develop and implement a restorative justice based diversion program for students on campus, now known as the Thompson Diversion Program. When developing this program, the professors of the political science program served as great resources. Dr. Carriveau, specifically, was imperative to the program being implemented. She was the constant voice of reason and justice in these discussions. This program was developed by students for students, but it would not have been possible without the help of faculty and staff.”

FIND YOUR CAREER

There are employment opportunities in a variety of sectors:
» Business
» Education
» Government
     » Federal
     » Local
     » State
» Individual Political Campaigns
» Law
» Marketing
» News Media
» Nonprofits

CODY DROLC

Class of 2015

Cody Drolc completed his PhD at the University of Missouri and is now a professor of Public Administration and Policy at the University of South Carolina. According to Drolc, “The generous mentorship provided by the BHSU political science faculty is unmatched and helped me successfully navigate the daunting process of applying to a PhD program. Inside and outside the classroom, professors took the time to help develop my analytical skills, explore research topics of personal interest, and encourage independent inquiry. I am grateful for the foundation laid at BHSU for helping me pursue my passion for politics and succeed in graduate school.”

A FEW WORDS FROM ALUMNI

KEELY KLEVEN, CLASS OF 2018

Keely Kleven completed her J.D. (law degree) at Law School at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is now a practicing attorney in Rapid City. Keely Kleven traveled the world through opportunities with BHSU. Kleven says, “There are many reasons I am grateful for the BHSU Political Science program, but the most important is how well it prepared me to be successful in law school. The professors are willing to go above and beyond to see you succeed and to give you real world experience. Through BHSU, I was able to intern in Washington D.C. for a Congressman—an experience that is one of many. The program emphasizes critical thinking and clear, concise communication, both of which are pertinent to success in law school and in the work place.”

Printable Program

Contact Info

Dr. John Van Benthuysen
Associate Professor, Political Science
John.VanBenthuysen

Black Hills State University
1200 University St.
Spearfish, SD, USA 57799

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science Major

Political Science Minor

FIND YOUR CAREER

CODY DROLC

A FEW WORDS FROM ALUMNI

Contact Info

Spearfish

Rapid City

Students

Resources

Information