Overview

The department offers a curriculum focused on the major subfields of Political Science, specifically: American Government, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Theory, as well as Political Methodology. For completion of the major, students are required to develop an expertise through coursework and independent study in one of these subfields, as well as successfully complete an exit exam in the subfield. Students may also minor in American Politics, World Politics, and Political Theory.

Undergraduate research opportunities are afforded through Directed Study courses with faculty members as well as student research assistant and other positions within the Latin American Public Opinion Project (LAPOP) and the RIPS (Research on Individuals, Politics and Society) lab.

Undergraduates are also encouraged to participate in the Tennessee Intercollegiate Student Legislature and Tennessee Moot Court programs, both of which expose students to crafting and passing legislation as well as conducting oral argument at the appellate level. These programs are overseen by Political Science faculty advisers.

The department offers an Honors Program requiring students to conduct independent investigation and analysis with the supervision of a faculty mentor during their senior year. Honors students produce an honors thesis in the last semester of their senior year, leading to graduation with High Honors, or Honors.