About Political Science Programs

The Political Science Program at SOU strives to engender in students a balance between the theoretical and philosophical “politics of ideas” and the pragmatic applied processes and behaviors of “politics on the street.”

What is the Political Science Program?

The political science program provides a solid liberal arts curriculum that prepares students for active engagement in public and private settings with a keen understanding of political institutions and processes. The curriculum, with its emphasis on political behavior, law, public opinion research, and political thought, is designed to interface with a variety of other majors. Through service-learning and internship programs, the program offers students experiences in politics, government, law, and social research. The political science faculty provides active mentorship to students seeking academic challenge and community involvement.

Political Science Major Concentrations

The Political Science program has 4 concentrations within the major. These concentrations allow students to focus their degree on a portion of political science that interests them most. The concentrations are as follows:

Political Institutions – In this concentration students study American politics and processes, public law, transnational and comparative politics and topics in political philosophy. This concentration is a great fit for those interested in careers in law, politics or government – locally, nationally and globally.
Global and Strategic Studies – In this concentration students study global politics through courses such as International Law, US Foreign Relations, Terrorism, Comparative Politics and more. Additionally, students explore political strategy through courses such as Collective Action, Grand Strategy, Twentieth Century Revolutions, the Politics of Mass Media, War in the Modern World, and more! This concentration is a great fit for students who are interested in the strategic nature of politics as well as international politics.
Civic Engagement – The Program in Civic Engagement at Southern Oregon University is an interdisciplinary collaboration of scholarship, teaching, and learning designed to prepare students for careers in journalism, civic organizing, diplomacy, and related professions. Combining the concepts, theories, and practical applications of Communication and Political Science with the breadth and depth of History, the program offers a challenging interdisciplinary curriculum which students will value both for its intellectual stimulation and its career-oriented preparation. Graduates of the program will acquire deeper insights into the complex processes of media literacy, information production and dissemination, civic activism, negotiation, and diplomacy. This program would prepare students to be responsive and thoughtful participants in civic life and advocates of responsible public discourse and debate, taking the best lessons from history and applying them to the modern challenges of civic life, both in the US and globally.
Political Philosophy – This concentration is the only opportunity for SOU students to receive a bachelor’s degree which includes the study of philosophy. Through the combination of philosophy and politics, students in this concentration explore western philosophy, intellectual history, and the intersection of philosophy and political science. This program prepares students to ask big questions regarding morals and ethics in politics.

Honors Program

Students pursuing honors in the Political Science major are required to produce an honors thesis based on original research. The honors thesis will constitute the student’s capstone project. Specific guidelines will be provided by the faculty advisor.

It is expected that the focused student research (with faculty direction over the course of 3 to 6 terms) will generate a superior final project which demonstrates independence of mind and judgment; capacity to design and execute a complex project; advanced research skills; and skills of analysis, synthesis and clear written and oral communication.

Admission Requirements:

Newly admitted students must satisfy one of the following conditions:

A minimum high school GPA of 3.6
A minimum high school GPA of 3.6
A minimum combined total of 1200 from the critical reading and mathematics SAT sections with a minimum score of 500 in each section
A minimum combined ACT score of 27 with a minimum score of 22 in both math and English
A minimum transfer GPA of 3.6 (based on at least 36 quarter credits)

Continuing students must satisfy each of the following conditions:

A minimum GPA of 3.3 in all classes taken at SOU
A minimum GPA in the major of 3.5
A member of the permanent faculty must agree to serve as an advisor

To achieve departmental honors, students will:

Ask a permanent faculty member in Political Science to serve as their mentor. Once a permanent faculty member accepts, the student and faculty mentor will work together to develop a research and writing plan.
Ask a permanent faculty member in Political Science to serve as their mentor. Once a permanent faculty member accepts, the student and faculty mentor will work together to develop a research and writing plan.
Complete additional work in an appropriate upper-division course taught by the faculty mentor designed to advance the research project. Examples of possible assignments include, but are not limited to, completion of an annotated bibliography; completion of a bibliographic or historiographic essay; and/or completion of an oral presentation.
Complete PS 403 (Thesis) where most of the research will be completed for the Honors Thesis. The work completed in this course will be the basis for a thesis to be completed in PS 498H.
Write the Honors thesis while enrolled in PS 498H (Senior Seminar), under the direction of the faculty advisor
Present the completed honors thesis

Honors students are expected to present their honors theses at the annual Southern Oregon Arts and Research (SOAR) program in the spring and in a departmental venue (such as the capstone or senior seminar).

Contact Political Science

SOU Political Science Program
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
541.552.6124

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