Political Science Major (A.B. in Political Science) [offered through Honors Tutorial College]

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Major Code BA1908

Honors Tutorial College
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
Fax: 740.593.9521
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors

Jim Mosher, director of studies/contact person
mosherj@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The Honors Tutorial program in political science is a particularly important part of our mission, and we are proud to see our graduates go on to top graduate programs around the world. Whether the future career is law, teaching, governing, political consulting, or some other related field, the program in political science, along with the broader liberal arts orientation of the college, offers our HTC students an excellent start. The program is designed around the belief that our HTC students, as talented and mature people, should enjoy freedom to explore the issues and possibilities of the field. Students complete eight tutorials and the equivalent of two years of study in a foreign language but are also able to personalize their program of study and produce original, independent research, in the form of an honors thesis. Tutorials, together with regular coursework, help students to develop a sophisticated understanding of the variety of approaches comprising the discipline of political science. The strength of the tutorial program in political science is the one-to-one or small group tutorial format. This approach facilitates the acquisition of verbal as well as written skills because of the intensive attention devoted to each tutorial student by the tutor. The student is expected to demonstrate knowledge of weekly assignments through papers, oral reports, or such projects as may be designated by the tutor. This provides invaluable experience in research, writing, and oral presentation, as well as develops a professional work ethic and sense of responsibility.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

The ideal HTC candidate should have minimum standardized test scores of 30 on the ACT and/or 1300 on the SAT, but we will also consider other students with a high school unadjusted GPA of 3.7 or above. If you choose to take either standardized test more than once, we will consider only your highest scores. HTC applicants should ideally be in the top 10% of their high school graduating class. The priority deadline is December 1st.

Change of Program Policy

The priority deadline for freshman transfer is December 1st.

External Transfer Admission

Typically, off campus students who seek to transfer must do so no later than their freshman year of study. They should contact the Honors Tutorial College office for guidance.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

A great number and variety of opportunities are available to political science graduates upon graduation. Some pursue careers in government service, non-profit agencies or the private sector. Some go on to law or professional school. Others find opportunities in teaching and research. Because the Honors Tutorial College is so unique, graduating students who apply to graduate or professional schools are given letters that not only describe the tutorial nature of the college, but also describe the content of each tutorial taken by the student.

Requirements

HTC Grade Requirements

Maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher overall.

University English Composition Requirement

Complete one First-Year Composition course (1E) and one Junior Composition course (1J).

HTC Seminar

First-year students must complete the following course:

HC 2500 - Honors Seminar Credit Hours: 3

Transfer students

Transfer students may substitute an HC special topics seminar for their HC 2500 requirement.

Tutorials

Complete six tutorials from the following list. Hours are variable for individual courses.

POLS 2970T - Political Science Non-Thesis Tutorial First Year Credit Hours: 1 - 15
POLS 2971T - Political Science Non-Thesis Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 15
POLS 2980T - Political Science Non-Thesis Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 15
POLS 2981T - Political Science Non-Thesis Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 15
POLS 3970T - Political Science Non-Thesis Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 15
POLS 3980T - Political Science Non-Thesis Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 15

Thesis Tutorials

Complete two tutorials focused on the development and completion of a thesis.

POLS 4970T - Political Science Thesis Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 15
POLS 4980T - Political Science Thesis Tutorial Credit Hours: 1 - 15

HTC Thesis Requirement

Approval of a completed thesis or professional project by the advisor, director of studies, and Dean of the College.

Foreign Language Requirement

Complete a two-year sequence through 2120 in a single language or equivalent. Equivalent credit can be Advanced Placement or college transfer credit. Students who have prior knowledge of Spanish, French, or German must take the placement test before enrolling in these classes. (The placement exam does not count as college credit.) If you test into the 3000 level or above, the foreign language requirement is considered fulfilled.

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