Undergraduate Programs
Political Science 499Political Science 499 is a course that allows students to pursue their own topics and fields of concentration under the supervision of a political science faculty member. Students interested in this option should either download the Learning Contract or pick one up from an adviser in Smith 215. Working with the faculty member, the student should design the topic and course of study. This course may be taken either for a grade or on a Credit/No Credit basis. Students may earn up to 20 credits using this option. Note: Pol S 499 credits do not count toward the Political Science major, but may be used as University elective credits. Political Science does not require all of its majors to write a senior thesis. Political Science 499C, however, provides an opportunity for those students interested in completing a longer research paper to receive credit for doing so. For additional information, consult an adviser in the Political Science Advising Office. International Security Option
The study of international security focuses on the relationship between politics and security, and specifically on the causes of war and the use and control of force: threats, promises, and the tactics, techniques, and ethics of violence. It teaches the theories and the historical context for understanding contemporary security issues. The option is for students interested in an in-depth study of international security. It is not an official major or minor or track, but an optional program of study. Students who elect to follow this option must satisfy both the 50 credits required for the general Political Science Major and the option requirements. Up to 25 credits may overlap between the Pol S major and the option. No more than 20 credits can be used to satisfy both the option and the requirements for any other major. Courses that are not in Pol S (i.e., courses offered by a department other than Pol S) fulfill only elective coursework towards the option, not the major. Students who complete the international security option will receive the notation International Security Option on their UW transcript and a certificate of completion from the department. Political Economy OptionThe study of political economy concentrates on the relationship between politics and economics. It involves the application of economic theory to the analysis of non market behavior and examination of the interplay between governmental and economic institutions. It teaches the use of theoretical tools in analyzing contemporary problems. Download an application and requirement list for the Political Economy Option: CAPPP Undergraduate Fellows ProgramThe purpose of the Undergraduate Fellowship Program at the Center for American Politics and Public Policy is to facilitate close working relationships between undergraduates and faculty by:
For further information, visit the CAPP website at: http://www.cappp.org Center for Communication and Civic EngagementThe Center for Communication and Civic Engagement is dedicated to research, the creation of citizen resources and student-designed learning experiences that develop new areas of positive citizen involvement in politics and social life. Their primary focus is to understand how new information technologies can supplement more traditional forms of communication to facilitate new forms of civic engagement. The Center for Communication and Civic Engagement offers undergraduate research opportunities in the form of academic internships and paid research assistantships. Students whose interests lie within the scope of the Center's research agenda may assist with the development of current projects; others may pursue new projects. Current research assistants and interns are involved in collecting, coding and analyzing large amounts of data related to global citizen issue campaigns for the Center's archives. Research positions with the Center are flexible to allow the pursuit of a broad range of research interests. For additional information, visit the CCCE website at: depts.washington.edu/ccce/ Center for Labor StudiesSince its foundation, the Center for Labor Studies (CLS) has sought opportunities for graduate and undergraduates students to work with the Labor Community and in research initiatives of Labor Studies faculty. CLS provides opportunities for students to participate in Service Learning Courses, Research Seminars, and Internships. In addition, the Center administers the Minor in Labor Studies. To apply for a minor, you must have completed at least 90 college credits. You may declare a minor through your major department advisor, by meeting with a History or Political Science Undergraduate Advisor, or at the time that you file a graduation application. The requirements for the Minor in Labor Studies are available on the Center's website. The Honors Program in Political ScienceThe department offers a program of advanced study in political science for undergraduates who wish to pursue a more challenging course of study in their junior and senior years. Students completing this program will earn 'distinction' at graduation. Students who are in the College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program, as well as in the Political Science Honors Program, will earn 'honors' at graduation. The Political Science Honors Program will provide students with a thorough understanding of the interdisciplinary bases of the study of politics. Students will be exposed to classic works in the fields of psychology, sociology, economics, anthropology, and philosophy that have influenced the development of political science. Seminar discussions will center on the assumptions, theories, and methods associated with the various social sciences, and on the types of political questions and problems presented by different disciplinary perspectives. This one year program consists of three honors seminars (POL S 398) and an honors thesis (POL S 488-489). The thesis is written during the winter and spring quarters of the same year the seminars are taken. Students who graduate in the program complete a total of 60, rather than 50, credits in political science. Eligibility requirements for the program are: a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3, a political science GPA of 3.5 and 25 credits in political science. Applicants for the program are interviewed in the spring quarter for upcoming academic year. Pi Sigma Alpha, National Political Science Honor SocietyPi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college and university students of government in the United States. Pi Sigma Alpha is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies. The University of Washington's Pi Sigma Alpha chapter is named the "NU Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha". The Nu Chapter invites qualified UW students members to join. Please visit our website to learn more about Pi Sigma Alpha and the events and activites Pi Sigma Alpha sponsors on campus. You may also download the application on this website. |