Political Science

Associate in Arts Degree with a Concentration in
Political Science (653)

The concentration in political science prepares students to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a bachelor's degree in political science or international relations.

Political Science - IAI Recommended Baccalaureate Curriculum

Follow this link for career information.

Transfer Considerations

1. IMPORTANT TO NOTE: After completing American Politics and Government (PSC 163), Political Science majors may need to take additional social science courses to meet General Education requirements at the four-year institution they plan to attend. Students are encouraged to work with academic advisors at their community college and at their transfer institution to select a program of courses that will best satisfy academic requirements at their four-year college or university.
2. Students who have already chosen the university to which they plan to transfer should consult that institution's catalog or department advisor and an SVCC academic advisor in planning their program. Students pursuing social science secondary education should meet with an academic advisor. Transfer guides for some universities are available at svcc.edu/transfer.
3. Students wanting to major in political science may have a choice of earning a B.A. or a B.S. degree, depending on the school they attend. Political science majors normally pursue a B.A. degree, but students should consult their Academic Advisor on the differences between degrees.
4. Students should complete the American Politics and Government (PSC 163) and International Relations (PSC 261) courses prior to transfer as these courses are foundational prerequisites at most colleges.

Competitive Admissions

Since admission is competitive, completing the recommended courses does not by itself guarantee admission.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College

• Academic Advising, 815-835-6354
• Dr. Paul Edleman, Professor of Communication/Political Science, 815-835-6265

 

Minimum Total Credit Hours - 64-65 Hours

Suggested Course Sequence

First Semester - 17-18 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
	Humanities	3 Hours
*	Electives / Foreign Language	4 Hours
	Mathematics	3-4 Hours
ENG101	Composition I	3 Hours
This course 1 develops awareness of the writing process 2 provides inventional organizational and editorial strategies 3 stresses the variety of uses for writing and 4 emphasizes critical skills in reading thinking and writing.Prerequisite Required placement score on approved English placement test high school unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher or a grade of C or higher in ELA 099.3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
FYE101	First Year Experience	1 Hour
The focus of this course is how to be successful in college. Study skills goal setting academic planning time and money management and information research skills are among the core topics included in this course. Within a supportive environment students will share their college experiences and develop connections with fellow students and SVCC staff. Prerequisite None1 Semester hoursLectureLab Hours 1 lecweek
PSC163	Am Government & Politics	3 Hours
Students will examine American constitutional foundations and democratic values explore the role of public opinion and the character of the political process and understand the role of the media and interest groups in policy-making. Students will gain an understanding of how the major branches of the federal government work and improve skills in evaluating and analyzing current public policy issues. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S5 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Second Semester - 16 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
*	Electives / Foreign Language	4 Hours
	FIne Arts	3 Hours
COM131	Intro to Oral Communication	3 Hours
The oral communication course combines communication theory with the practice of oral communication skills. The course 1 develops awareness of the communication process 2 provides inventional organizational and expressive strategies 3 promotes understanding of and adaptation to a variety of communication contexts and 4 emphasizes critical skills in listening reading thinking and speaking.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C2 900LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
ENG103	Composition II	3 Hours
An advanced course in essay writing with emphasis on formal research ENG 103 serves to develop a proficiency in the collection and selection of data as applied to the completion of a formal research paper. In addition students receive instruction in logic and reasoning including the fundamentals of argumentative and persuasive writing. Prerequisite A grade of C or higher in ENG 101 or its equivalent or consent of instructor. 3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI C1 901RLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek
PSC233	Politics of Developing World	3 Hours
Comparative examination of the political systems of selected non-western countries including institutions electoral systems principles of governance causes of political instability and revolution and techniques of political analysis. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S5 906NLectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Third Semester - 14-15 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
*	Electives / Foreign Language	4 Hours
**	Life Science	3-4 Hours
	Elective	1 Hour
ECO211	Principles of Macroeconomics	3 Hours
A survey of macro-economic theory with emphasis on resource allocation in a mixed-enterprise economy. Concentration is on the operation of the market mechanism the role of government and labor international trade national income determination and accounting money and banking monetary and fiscal policy and macroeconomic fluctuations.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S3 901LectureLab Hours 3lec week
PSC232	Intro to Comparative Gov	3 Hours
Students will examine political systems in several regions of the world. They will gain an understanding of both the diversities and commonalities of political culture tradition and practice in selected nations of Europe Asia and Latin America. Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S5 905LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Fourth Semester - 16-17 Hours

Course #	Course Title	Hours
	Humanities / Foreign Language	4 Hours
**	Physical Science	3-4 Hours
	Personal Development	3 Hours
	Social / Behavioral Science	3 Hours
PSC261	International Relations	3 Hours
This course is an introduction to international relations and world politics. It includes studies of international conflict a history of war human rights and genocide international law and behavior terrorism and global economics and poverty. Case studies of current areas of crises will be emphasized.Prerequisite None3 Semester hoursIllinois Articulation Initiative IAI S5 904LectureLab Hours 3 lecweek

 

Footnotes

* Three - four semesters of a college-level foreign language or three or four years of a high school level foreign language may be required for a Bachelor of Arts degree. A Bachelor of Science degree may require more courses in mathematics, statistics, and/or computer science. Contact an academic advisor for more information.

** One lab science required.