This program of concentration is designed primarily for students interested in understanding more about comparative and international politics. It is a major appropriate for those interested in international careers. It is also the kind of broad, liberal arts program that many pre-law students will want to consider. Additionally, it provides a solid background for graduate study in comparative politics and international relations. 

* For students who entered Miami prior to Fall 2021.

I. Core Requirements (minimum 33 hours)

1. Core courses--All of these:

• POL 221 Comparative Politics (3)
• POL 241 American Political System (3)
• POL 271 World Politics (3)

2. Diplomacy and international relations—two of these:

• POL 326 Comparative Ethnic Politics (3)
• POL 346 Global Gender Politics (3)
• POL 373 American Foreign Policy (3)
• POL 374 Foreign Policy Analysis (3)
• POL 376 US National Security Policy (3)
• POL 381 Global Governance (3)
• POL 382 International Law (3)
• POL 386 Global Competition (3)
• POL 387 International Security Issues (3)

3. Politics in global regions--at least TWO courses from TWO regional clusters below:

A. Eurasia and East Asia

• POL 328 Politics of Central Asia (3)
• POL 331 Communism and Soviet Politics, 1917-1991 (3)
• POL 332 Post-Soviet Russian Politics (3)
• POL 335 Politics of East Asia (3)
• POL 375 International Relations of East Asia (3)
• POL 440/540 Havighurst Colloquium (3)

B. Africa, Middle East, and Latin America

• POL 336 Politics of the Middle East (3)
• POL 337 Politics of Latin America (3)
• POL 338 Contemporary African Politics (3)
• POL 339 Nationalism, Islam and Democracy in Arab Politics (3)
• POL 370B African Politics & Society through Literature (3)
• POL 378 Latin America: The Region and the World (3)
• POL 438 Africa in the Global Economy (3)

C. Europe: East and West

• POL 321.L Comparative European Politics (3)
• POL 333 Politics of Western Europe (3)
• POL 334 Politics of Eastern Europe (3)
• POL 423/523 European Union: Politics and Policies (3)

NOTE: With approval of advisor, students may apply relevant coursework taken in an approved study abroad program as substitute for one or two courseson politics in global regions.

4. Required capstone: Student must complete one of the following:

• POL 419/519 Civil Society and Modern Politics (3)
• POL 424 Transatlantic Seminar (4-6)
• POL 439 North American Politics: Unity and Diversity (3)
• POL 471/571 The International System (3)
• POL 487 Individual Lives and International Politics (3)
• POL 489/589 Conflict Management in a Divided World (3)

5. At least 17 hours earned at Miami; a grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; all courses must be taken for a grade.

II. Related Requirements (minimum 22 hours)

1. Cognate courses—all of these:

• ECO 201 Principles of Microeconomics (3)
• ECO 202 Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
• STA 261 Statistics (4)

2. Advanced foreign language study: at least 6 semester hours in a foreign language at the 300 level or higher (not in translation)

3. Education Abroad: 12 semester hours earned in one or more study abroad programs approved by the Department of Political Science (not more than 6 semester hours earned in study abroad program can be applied to other major requirements)

4. At least 9 semester hours for Part II requirements must be earned at Miami University; a grade point average of at least 2.0 is required; all courses must be taken for a grade. 

CAS/Miami Plan Advanced Writing Requirement: Students seeking the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science meet the College of Arts and Science writing in the major requirement by completing the following courses:

1. Take at least one of the required 200-level courses in a "Writing" or "W" section;
2. Take at least one of the POL 300-level courses in a "W" section;
3. and complete one of the required POL Capstone courses. All three must be completed to satisfy this requirement.