Political Science (AB)
Program Code: U-POLI-AB
Degree Designation: Bachelor of Arts
Department: Political Science Department
Website: polisci.duke.edu/undergraduate/offerings/requirements
Program Summary
Political science aims at a systematic and rigorous understanding of politics, both in explaining political phenomena and in exploring their ethical and normative dimensions. The discipline covers a broad range of subjects, from authoritarian to democratic politics, from local governance to international relations, from formal rules and institutions to the psychology and behavior of individuals who participate in political processes. Political scientists make use of data ranging from ancient texts, to satellite images, to surveys, to millions of Facebook posts, and analyze them with a diverse set of methods and tools, including qualitative and quantitative approaches.
Our undergraduate curriculum is designed to give you a sophisticated understanding of political processes, critical and independent thinking, writing and communication skills, and an analytical skill set. Our majors are highly successful, and pursue careers in diverse fields, including non-governmental and public interest organizations, think tanks, consulting, journalism, communications, local, state, and federal government, polling firms, finance, and business management. Many also go on to pursue graduate study in law, political science, public administration, or business administration.
Interdepartmental Major. The Department does not normally accept applications for Interdepartmental Majors.
Go to Programs by Department to view all related programs.
Academic Requirements
At least 10 units total to complete the major. At least 34 units total to earn a degree.
Gateway Course (1 unit)
POLSCI 175 (POLSCI 175FS, 180FS, or 275 may also count)
Statistics (1 unit)
STA 198L
STA 199L
ECON 104D
Concentration (8-9 units)
Select 1 of the following concentrations: American Politics, International Relations, Law and Political Theory, Decision Theory & Data Science, Political Economy
American Politics
POLSCI 114, or POLSCI 116D
4 concentration electives
2 POLSCI electives outside the concentration
1 concentration capstone course
A comprehensive list of courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
International Relations
POLSCI 160D
4 concentration electives
2 POLSCI electives outside the concentration
1 concentration capstone course
A comprehensive list of courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
Law and Political Theory
POLSCI 211, or POLSCI 384
4 concentration electives
2 POLSCI electives outside the concentration
1 concentration capstone course
A comprehensive list of courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
Data Theory & Decision Science
DECSCI 101
MATH 112L
COMPSCI 101L, or COMPSCI 201
NEUROSCI 101, or NEUROSCI 102, or NEUROSCI 217, or NEUROSCI 223
Any 1 game theory/formal decision theory course
ECON 201
POLSCI 217
POLSCI 631L
Any 1 data analysis course
COMPSCI 216
ECON 204D
POLSCI 189FS
POLSCI 538
STA 210
STA 221L
2 concentration electives
1 concentration capstone course
A comprehensive list of courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
Political Economy
POLSCI 145
ECON 101, or ECON 201
4 concentration electives
2 POLSCI electives outside the concentration
1 concentration capstone course
A comprehensive list of courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
Departmental Graduation with Distinction
The department offers students majoring in political science an opportunity to achieve Graduation with Distinction in political science by the submission of an original research paper.
To be eligible for honors, students must have:
taken four courses in the subfield of your proposed research;
completed STA 198/199 or higher (STA 210 or the equivalent is recommended), the political theory requirement (POLSCI 175), and a minimum of six courses in political science;
the statistics requirement may be waived if students are pursuing honors in the area of political theory; or
have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.3, and a major GPA of 3.5; this GPA must be maintained until graduation.
The goal of honors in political science is an original research paper of journal length (approximately 50 pages), which will be submitted to the Honors Thesis Committee by December 15 and March 1 of each year. The key criterion is that the paper must feature original research, and be conducted at a level that satisfies professional standards.
The Honors Thesis Committee will, in most cases, either accept or reject the paper for honors and the paper will be read by a minimum of two members of the committee. A revision may be requested by the committee (to be conducted by the student in the spring semester and due by April 1). If at all possible, students should start working on their honors research the spring of the junior year and over that summer.
Students may begin their honors research by producing a quality, journal-level paper in:
a 400-, 500-, or 600-level political science seminar; or
an independent study.
Often, the student will need to polish the paper during or after these options before submitting it to the Honors Thesis Committee. It is strongly suggested that the student submit a draft of the thesis before March 1.