Creighton University

Department of Political Science

There are six ways that students can complete a minor in political science at Creighton. The department offers minors in American Government and Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Legal Studies, Political Science, and Public Policy. The general political science minor program offers a broad introduction to political science, its methodology, and the operation of public institutions and political processes in a number of contexts.

Minors offer students the opportunity to develop substantial knowledge in areas outside their majors and achieve the second and third College learning outcomes listed in the College Bulletin.

Students may not pursue a specific combination of a major with a minor if all the required courses in those programs, as shown in their respective Programs of Study, share the same three-letter prefix. (For example, a student who is majoring in Biology may not minor in Biology, since both the major and the minor require only BIO courses; but a Biology major may minor in Biological Physics since that minor, which it includes BIO credits, also includes some PHY credits.) *The fact that a required course may be cross-listed in another program of study is irrelevant to this restriction.

The American government and politics minor examines how humans organize society and make collective choices within the context of the United States.  If focuses particularly on political actors, political institutions and political process in the United States.  This minor examines institutions and institutional design, political actors and the decision-making process, and the public participation in the political and legal process.  Students completing the American Politics minor will have the requisite skills to work within local, state and federal government agencies and offices, work on election campaigns, and work for organizations that seek to influence the political process.  Minors must take PLS121    American Government and Politics

In addition they will be required to take fifteen (15) credits from the following courses:  PLS235, 320, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 331, 420 421, 437 or 482.

The minor in comparative politics explores politics in different nation-states.  It focuses on the unique functioning of states while at the same time looking for explanations for common global phenomena such as democratization, economic and political integration, and cultural and ethnic fragmentation.  The minor is recommended for students intending to seek employment in business, government, and public service organizations with global reach.    Students completing the comparative politics minor must take PLS121 American Government and Politics.

In addition they will be required to take fifteen (15) credits from the following courses:  PLS301, 303, 305, 311, 313, 314, 315, 317, 319, 401, 405, 407, 410, 415, 435, 468, 481 or 510.

The minor in international relations examines global governance.  Among the core issues are international conflict, inter-state cooperation, growing global integration, the role of international institutions and global nonprofit organizations, and the development and extension of international law.  This minor is recommended for those seeking employment in the US State Department, Department of Defense, International business, and global non-profits. Students completing the international relations minor must take PLS340 International Politics.

In addition they will be required to take fifteen (15) credits from the following courses:  PLS340, 341, 342, 343, 345, 347, 435, 440, 444, 451, 472, 481 or 537.

The legal studies minor explores the role of the law in society.  This includes a close look at legal history and philosophy as well as legal institutions at all levels of government.  This minor focuses on one of the most important institutions of Western Civilization, and on particular contributions of American institutions, and, as such, its study makes an important contribution to the study of the liberal arts.  Moreover, this minor is intended to help students reflect on and prepare for making career choices in fields such as law, court administration, law enforcement, and dispute resolution.  Students completing the legal studies minor must take PLS 337, 320, 367 and 537.

In addition they will be required to take six (6) credits from the following courses:  BUS210, HIS354, HIS355, JMC529, PHL440, PLS438, PLS439, PLS324, PSY363, SOC321, or SOC423.

The political science minor is designed for students seeking to supplement their primary major with coursework on politics.  The minor provides students with an introduction to political science methodology, and it provides an overview of community decision-making at the local, national, and international levels.  This will be useful to student as they pursue careers in business, journalism, medicine, the law, and other fields.  Students completing the political science minor must take PLS121, 215, and 310.  

In addition they will be required to take three (3) additional courses in political science numbered 300 and above.

The public policy minor examines how humans organize society and make collective choices.  It focuses particularly on political actors and the institutions that humans use to implement public policy choices.  Students with a public policy minor examine the policy process, substantive policy areas and the application of policy analysis tools and advocacy strategies in the contemporary political system. Students completing the public policy minor must take six (6) credits from the followings policy process area:  PLS235, 320, 322, 324, 325, 326 or 328.  

In addition, they will be required to take six (6) credits from the following policy skills area courses:  PLS323, 331, 465, 433 or 483.  They will also be required to take six (6) credits from the following substantive policy areas: PLS329, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 339, 341 342, 372, 435, 436, 463 or 418.