Majoring In Government

The Government Department offers courses in four different concentrations of study within political science: American politics and public policy, comparative politics, international politics, and political theory. We offer general introductory courses to each concentration (numbered 151 to 159), a range of upper-division courses (200 to 370), and research seminars (371 to 399). In addition, we offer courses in research methods in political science, tutorials, and education in the field. Courses numbered 200 to 370 are ordered according to field of study, not level of difficulty.

If a statement on the major in the printed Wesleyan catalogue is inconsistent with a regulation on this web site, the web site is authoritative.

 Requirements for the Government Major

To complete the major requirements, a student must take a minimum of nine approved government credits, of which at least eight must be upper division (courses numbered 201 or higher).  At least five of the eight upper-level credits for the major must be earned in courses numbered between 201 and 399 and taken in the Government Department at Wesleyan. The remaining three credits can consist of a combination of: (a) tutorials in the Department of Government - non-thesis tutorials (a limit of two) or a thesis tutorial (a limit of one); (b) course in a cognate discipline at Wesleyan (a limit of one, with your advisor’s approval); (c) non-introductory courses taken at other institutions (a limit of two); or (d) additional Wesleyan government courses in the range 201-399. Teaching apprenticeships and student forum courses are not counted toward the fulfillment of major requirements. Under certain circumstances and with your advisor’s approval, all three of the non-Wesleyan upper-division courses can be from a program abroad. See the Government Department regulation on  Approvals of Credits from Study Abroad Programs.  See also, the Government Department regulations on Transfer of Credits from U. S. Academic Institutions, Advanced Placement Credits and Credits for Internships.

Concentration. Majors must complete a concentration program within the major. Each concentration has different requirements for the major.  Some courses may count toward more than one concentration. For a list, see this link.

In addition to all of the stipulations above, majors graduating must also meet the following requirements:

1.    Depth in and Breadth across the Concentrations. The minimum number of introductory and upper-division courses required to complete a concentration is four, with the stipulation that no fewer than three of the four courses counting toward the concentration must be completed at Wesleyan. Majors must take at least one upper-division course in three of the four concentrations.

2.    General Education Expectations. Satisfaction of Stage 1 the General Education Expectations is required for admission to the major. Students who are currently enrolled in classes satisfying the expectations at the time of application to the major may be admitted to the major provisionally. Note that satisfaction of both Stages 1 and 2 of the General Education Expectations are required currently to receive Honors in Government.

3.    Pacing of Courses in the Major. Students who have not completed at least four courses for Government credit by the end of their junior years must drop the major.

4.    Double Majors. No student with a university GPA below B+ (88.33) may declare or, maintain a Government major if he or she also has another major. This requirement will be enforced through the end of the semester before you are scheduled to graduate, i.e., normally through the end of the fall semester of your senior year.

Procedures For Declaring A Government Major

 

In the latter part of February members of the Sophomore class are required to select a major. The Dean’s Office will send out an announcement about when the Department will hold a meeting for prospective majors.

 

To major in government, students should present the following to Janet DeMicco, the Administrative Assistant in the Department office (PAC 116):  (1) the completed Major Application, (2) a printout of your Academic History, and (3) a printout of your General Education Report. The Major Application can be downloaded below.  Your Academic History and your General Education Report are available in your electronic portfolio.  Department’s Application to Major

To be admitted to the major as a single major, you must have completed at least one government course with a grade of B- or better, and you must have formally completed Stage 1 of the General Education Expectations. If in the current semester you are enrolled in your first Government class, and your professor certifies by email that you are earning a B- or better; or if in the current semester you are enrolled in a course which, if completed successfully, would result in your satisfaction of Stage I of the General Education Expectations, you can be admitted provisionally to the major, but your status will be reviewed at the end of the semester. If at that time you have not met the B- and Stage I requirements, you will be required to drop the major.

To be admitted to the major as a double major, you must satisfy the above requirements as well as an additional requirement: your academic history must show that you have a university GPA of 88.33 or above. To maintain the Government major as a double major, you must maintain or exceed a cumulative 88.33 university GPA at the end of each semester through the end of the first semester of your senior year. Double majors will be required to drop the major if at any time the academic history shows a cumulative GPA of 88.32 or below.

If you have met the requirements stipulated above, and if you have submitted your application, Academic History, and your General Education Report, you will be assigned an advisor by the Administrative Assistant. The forms will be retained in the Government Department Office, and then the department will set up your file and add you to the Department's mailing list.
 

Other Information On The Major

Honors program: Students in classes 2009 & 2010 may receive honors in government if they meet the following requirements: (1) completion of a major in government with a grade-point average in all government courses at Wesleyan of 88.3; (2) completion of Stages 1 and 2 General Education Expectations; and (3) completion of an original research and writing project, culminating in a thesis, that is judged to be of honors quality.

Beginning with the class of 2011, Government Department majors may be awarded departmental honors through one of two tracks.  These tracks are described more fully here.  A new form will be published on the department website at a later date.

Department activities: The Department of Government sponsors a number of activities to supplement its curriculum. Department majors ordinarily have first call, but all interested students may obtain details of these possibilities at the Government Department office.

Information on transfer credits, internships, and other regulations is available in the department office and on this website. The home page provides links to faculty, majors, and courses.

The Government Department has placed a wealth of information about the major on its website.  Should you have any additional questions, feel free to contact the office for assistance.