Department of Politics, Government, and Law
262-472-1120
Students who enroll in the majors and minors offered by the department of Politics, Government, and Law at UW-Whitewater take a comprehensive course of study. This course of study emerges from the awareness that governmental policy, law, and policy-making are of paramount importance for the lives we lead. The politics, government, and law programs at UW-Whitewater concentrate on providing students with a basic understanding of contemporary government, policy-making, public law and courts, and politics. We have a thriving internship program that provides students with a unique opportunity to blend theory with practice. Internship possibilities include work with a legislator, on the campaign staff of a candidate for public office, in a law office or a court, or in a governmental agency. While most students intern in Wisconsin, there is also a program based in Washington, D.C. through the Washington Center to provide students with opportunities to view the national political process in action. Students should also be aware of the intimate relationship between the political process and the world of business. For those interested, a liberal arts major from our department combined with a professional minor might prove useful.
The Politics, Government, and Law department is home to three majors and one emphasis. The majors include Political Science, Legal Studies, and Public Policy and Administration. It should be noted that Legal Studies and Public Policy and Administration are interdisciplinary majors where students take courses in other colleges and departments as well as courses from our department. The emphasis we offer in Politics, Government, and Law is Political Science Honors. The Politics, Government, and Law department also offers minors in Political Science, Public Administration, and Legal Studies, as well as Paralegal and Lobbying Certificates.
Majors/Emphasis
There are several potential options which a person interested in political science may follow. Students may wish to plan their programs with certain career objectives in mind. Among the options recommended are the following:
- Public Employment Option
- Plan A: Major in Political Science with a minor in public administration
- Plan B: Double Major in Political Science & Public Policy & Administration
- Law Option
- Plan A: Major in Legal Studies.
- Plan B: Major in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies or related discipline.
- Government and Business Option
- Plan A: Major in political science and a minor in a related discipline.
- Plan B: Major in political science and select a business minor.
- International Employment Option
- Plan A: Major in Political Science & minor in relevant language(s)
- Plan B: Major in Political Science & minor in International Studies
Honors in Political Science: The Political Science Department offers an honors program within the major. Program and course requirements are provided below. In addition to completing the requirements of the Political Science major, those students earning the Honors designation are required to prepare a Senior honors thesis, submit an undergraduate research grant proposal and complete either an internship or travel study course.
Areas of Political Science: the department curriculum is divided into five basic areas. This is intended to provide a sound and balanced acquaintance with political science. Majors and minors are expected to meet the appropriate area requirements. The areas are:
American Government:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLISCI 314 | MEDIA AND AMERICAN POLITICS | 3 |
| POLISCI 317 | THE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE PROCESS | 3 |
| POLISCI 318 | THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY | 3 |
| POLISCI 319 | AMERICAN POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS | 3 |
| POLISCI 321 | AMERICAN INTEREST GROUP POLITICS | 3 |
| POLISCI 344 | STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT | 3 |
| POLISCI 357 | PUBLIC OPINION AND POLITICAL BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| POLISCI 413 | CONSTITUTIONAL LAW | 3 |
| POLISCI 414 | THE CONSTITUTION AND CIVIL LIBERTIES | 3 |
| POLISCI 415 | CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND THE CONSTITUTION | 3 |
| POLISCI 416 | THE CONSTITUTION AND CIVIL RIGHTS | 3 |
| POLISCI 419 | THE JUDICIAL PROCESS | 3 |
| POLISCI 422 | RELIGION AND AMERICAN POLITICS | 3 |
| POLISCI 446 | POLITICS OF THE METROPOLIS | 3 |
Public Policy & Administration:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLISCI 316 | POLICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
| POLISCI 330 | PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS AND ADVOCACY | 3 |
| POLISCI 331 | U.S. DISABILITY POLITICS AND POLICY | 3 |
| POLISCI 342 | SCIENCE POLICY AND HUMAN HEALTH | 3 |
| POLISCI 343 | US ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS AND POLICY | 3 |
| POLISCI 421 | PUBLIC PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
| POLISCI 430 | FORMATION OF PUBLIC POLICY | 3 |
| POLISCI 440 | THE POLITICS OF GOVERNMENT BUDGETING | 3 |
| POLISCI 489 | SEMINAR IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION | 3 |
Comparative Government:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLISCI 345 | FEDERALISM | 3 |
| POLISCI 352 | COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENT - EUROPE | 3 |
| POLISCI 456 | GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF LATIN AMERICA | 3 |
| POLISCI 460 | GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF ASIA | 3 |
| POLISCI 461 | GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF AFRICA | 3 |
| POLISCI 471 | GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN THE MIDDLE EAST | 3 |
| POLISCI 472 | GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS IN CHINA | 3 |
| POLISCI 480 | GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS OF JAPAN | 3 |
International Relations:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLISCI 340 | POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| POLISCI 348 | INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS | 3 |
| POLISCI 350 | INTERNATIONAL LAW | 3 |
| POLISCI 351 | INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | 3 |
| POLISCI 457 | AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY | 3 |
| POLISCI 464 | GLOBAL GENDER POLITICS | 3 |
Political Theory:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| POLISCI 365 | BLACK POLITICAL AND SOCIAL THOUGHT | 3 |
| POLISCI 410 | ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL POLITICAL THOUGHT: GREEK, ROMAN, CHRISTIAN | 3 |
| POLISCI 411 | MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 3 |
| POLISCI 412 | CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT | 3 |
| POLISCI 420 | AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | 3 |
Public Policy and Administration
The University offers an opportunity for students to earn a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Public Policy and Administration. The major is designed to prepare students for careers in local, state, or national governments, and in businesses and other organizations in the private sector which work closely with government. The major is sponsored jointly by the Politics, Government, and Law Department in the College of Letters and Sciences and the Management Department in the College of Business and Economics. The courses in the major are offered by these two departments and by several other departments in the two Colleges, providing broad interdisciplinary preparation for the student.