Political Science, B.A.
Mission
The mission of the Political Science program is to educate Christian men and women in political science in order to produce thinking Christians who demonstrate a broad understanding of the art and science of politics, based on a biblical foundation and worldview; who understand and apply biblical knowledge, Christian virtues, and ethical principles to politics; and who demonstrate entry-level professional skills necessary for success in politics and related fields.
Vision
The vision of the Biola University Political Science department is to develop a movement of men and women suitably trained in mind and character whom God may entrust with positions of influence within government, law, and public policy.
Degree Program
A Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science is offered upon completion of the University baccalaureate and major requirements. The Political Science major requires 39 credits, 24 of which must be upper-division. For students interested in teaching, the History: Secondary Instruction concentration offered under History, B.A. prepares students for teaching the social sciences, including political science.
Off-Campus Programs
American Studies Program
Biola University cooperates with the American Studies Program in Washington, D.C. This program provides work/study opportunities for students each semester in all of the disciplines offered at Biola, especially political science. Based on the principle of integrating faith, learning and living, students are invited to spend time in the nation's capital serving as interns, participating in an academic seminar program and living in a unique community of Christians from different geographical regions and denominational backgrounds.
The American Studies Program is designed for juniors and seniors with a wide range of academic majors and vocational interests. Students are involved in the American Studies Program for either the fall or spring semester, earning 16 semester credits in the internship and study seminars. A student may earn all 16 credits in Political Science or 13 credits in Political Science and 3 credits in Bible, if desired. POSC 225 or POSC 250 is a prerequisite to the program.
Biola Washington, D.C. Study Tour
Biola students in the Biola: Washington, DC Program spend five-six weeks completing short-term internships in Washington, DC and studying political science with Biola professors. The program runs in partnership with the CCCU’s American Studies Program in Washington, DC, and capitalizes on ASP’s relationships in Washington to establish internships for our students. Students will earn 3 hours of internship credit and 3 hours of POSC credit.
The purposes of the program are to provide hands-on learning experiences and develop professional skills; to help students experience the unique world of national politics and consider the Godly calling of public service; and, to motivate students to dig deeper and challenge themselves in their studies.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, students will be able to:
- Identify key figures and articulate important ideas of political theory, and apply them to current trends and events in politics (ULO 1).
- Demonstrate competent knowledge of world geography, comparative political systems, and the principles of international relations (ULO 1).
- Articulate Constitutional principles and apply them to the institutions and challenges in current American politics (ULO 1).
- Articulate the integration of political science with a biblical worldview (ULO 2).
- Engage their future vocation in political science as faithful stewards of God's calling, and understand their rights and duties as responsible citizens in a diverse polity (ULO 2).
- Demonstrate growing skills at critical thinking and analysis, and communicate and defend their ideas persuasively and cogently, on the basis of evidence and sound research (ULO 3).
Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses | ||
| Political Science majors preparing for graduate school should include a foreign language in their program. Seek advising from the department. | ||
| Students must take the following History courses to fulfill the U.S. and World History requirement (Torrey courses fulfill these requirements): | ||
| World Civilizations II | ||
| United States History To 1865 | ||
| Program Courses | ||
| The following Political Science courses are required, which include at least one course in each of the following categories: American Government, International Politics, Political Theory. | ||
| All students must take: | ||
| POSC 211 | Introduction to Political Economy | 3 |
| POSC 208 | World Politics | 3 |
| POSC 250 | Foundations of the American Political System | 3 |
| POSC 256 | Virtue, Citizenship, and Politics | 3 |
| POSC 290 | Political Science Research Methods | 3 |
| POSC 490 | Internship in Political Science | 3 |
| POSC 499 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Select three upper-division POSC courses | 9 | |
| Select one of the following American Government courses: | 3 | |
| Fundamentals of Public Administration | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| Economic History of the United States | ||
| Political Parties and the Electoral Process | ||
| Legislation | ||
| American Constitutional Law | ||
| Courts and Public Policy | ||
| Select one of the following International Politics courses: | 3 | |
| Liberty and the Free Market in England | ||
| Foreign Policy and Diplomacy | ||
| National Security Strategy and Military Affairs | ||
| Politics of Global Terrorism | ||
| Wealth and Justice | ||
| International Organizations and Political Economy | ||
| Strategic Intelligence | ||
| Select one of the following Political Theory courses: | 3 | |
| Political Philosophy – Ancient | ||
| Political Philosophy – Modern | ||
| Church and State Relations | ||
| Program Course Requirements: 39 credits | ||
| Core Curriculum Requirements 1 | 74 | |
| General Electives | 7 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
See Core Curriculum Program section for details.
NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.
Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.
See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.
Political Science, B.A.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 103 or 165 | 3 | BBST 103 or 165 | 3 |
| ENGL 100 or 112 | 3 | HIST 200 (required) | 3 |
| GNST 102 | 1 | KNES 107 | 1 |
| HIST 101 (required) | 3 | POSC 256 | 3 |
| POSC 250 | 3 | Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) | 4 |
| Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) | 4 | ||
| 17 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 209 or 210 | 3 | BBST 209 or 210 | 3 |
| POSC 208 | 3 | POSC 211 | 3 |
| POSC 290 | 3 | Communication (see Core Curriculum) | 3 |
| Math (see Core Curriculum) | 3 | Literature (see Core Curriculum) | 3 |
| Science (see Core Curriculum) | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| Writing Competency Requirement | |||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 251 | 3 | BBST 354 | 3 |
| American, International, or Political Theory class | 3 | ENGL 313 | 3 |
| POSC Elective (upper-division) | 3 | American, International, or Political Theory class | 3 |
| Behavioral Science (see Core Curriculum) | 3 | POSC Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
| KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum) | 1 | Fine Arts (see Core Curriculum) | 3 |
| Graduation Application due in Registrar's Office | |||
| 13 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| BBST 300/400 Bible Elective | 3 | BBST 300/400 Bible Elective | 3 |
| BBST 365 | 3 | BBST 465 | 3 |
| American, International, or Political Theory class | 3 | POSC 490 | 3 |
| POSC 499 | 3 | POSC Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
| General Elective | 4 | Philosophy (see Core Curriculum) | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.
Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.
See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.
Political Science, B.A.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 101 | 4 | HNRS 105 | 4 |
| HNRS 102 | 4 | HNRS 106 | 4 |
| POSC 208 | 3 | POSC 211 | 3 |
| POSC 250 | 3 | Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) | 4 |
| GNST 102 | 1 | KNES 107 | 1 |
| 15 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 210 | 4 | HNRS 230 | 4 |
| HNRS 215 | 4 | HNRS 231 | 4 |
| Foreign Language (see Core Curriculum) | 4 | Science (see Core Curriculum) | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | Math (See Core Curriculum) | 3 |
| General Elective | 1 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 324 | 4 | HNRS 337 | 4 |
| HNRS 326 | 2 | HNRS 339 | 2 |
| POSC 256 | 3 | POSC 290 | 3 |
| POSC Elective (upper-division) | 3 | ENGL 313 | 3 |
| American Government Elective | 3 | International Politics Elective | 3 |
| KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum) | 1 | ||
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| HNRS 443 | 4 | HNRS 458 | 4 |
| BBST 465 | 3 | HNRS 467 | 2 |
| POSC 490 | 3 | POSC 499 | 3 |
| Political Theory Elective | 3 | POSC Elective (upper-division) | 3 |
| POSC Elective (upper-division) | 3 | ||
| 16 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
