Statements of Policy - UMUC Europe

• Use computers for communication and research.
• Demonstrate information literacy through research and
resource evaluation appropriate to the chosen area of study.
Requirements for the Major
A major in general studies requires the completion of 30 semester
hours of coursework appropriate to the option chosen (in-depth
focus, interdisciplinary breadth, or individual studies); at least
15 semester hours must be earned in courses numbered 300 or
above. The general studies major requires prior approval. Students
must submit a formal proposal explaining the focus and curricular
objectives of the proposed course of study and identifying specific
courses to fulfill those objectives. Students should consult an
academic advisor about the requirements and procedure for
submitting a proposal. The general studies major is subject to all
requirements and limitations applied to other majors.
Major Options
A student must choose one of the following options for the
general studies major:
In-Depth Focus
With an in-depth focus, students combine courses from two
disciplines: a focus area plus a supporting area. Students must
take 18 semester hours in the focus area and 9 semester hours in
the supporting area, as well as 3 semester hours in related elective
coursework. At least 12 semester hours in the focus area and 3
semester hours in the supporting area must be earned in courses
numbered 300 or above.
Interdisciplinary Breadth
With the interdisciplinary breadth option, students combine
courses from three disciplines, with a minimum of 12 semester
hours in each of two areas, plus 6 semester hours in a third. At
least half of the semester hours in each area must be earned in
courses numbered 300 or above.
Individual Studies
The individual studies option provides an opportunity for
students to create and complete an individualized course of study
that combines offerings from multiple disciplines. With prior
approval, the student may design an interdisciplinary program
of study around a clearly defined academic goal that cannot
reasonably be satisfied in an existing curriculum at the university
but for which an appropriate course of study can be identified
and completed at UMUC.
Students could, for example, work with a UMUC academic
advisor to construct General Studies majors in disciplines such as
Anthropology, Art History and Appreciation, Economics,
Foreign Language Area Studies (German, Italian, Spanish),
Government and Politics, Mathematics, Philosophy, or Sociology,
as outlined in other portions of the bachelor’s requirements
section in this Catalog.
German
(see Foreign Language Area Studies)
UMUC Bachelor’s Degrees
Government and Politics
Students may seek a major focused on government and politics
within the Individual Studies option of the General Studies
major as outlined below and in the General Studies section in
this Catalog.
Required Core Courses (30 s.h.):
Foundation Courses (6 s.h.)
Choose two courses from the following:
GVPT 100 Principles of Government and Politics (3)
GVPT 170 American Government (3)
GVPT 200 International Political Relations (3)
GVPT 210 Introduction to Public Administration and
Policy (3)
Statistics Course (3 s.h.)
STAT 200 Introduction to Statistics (3)
or another suitable statistics course
Upper-Level Courses (18 s.h.)
Choose from the following courses:
GVPT 401 Problems of World Politics (3)
GVPT 403 Law, Morality, and War (3)
GVPT 405 Defense Policy and Arms Control (3)
GVPT 443 Contemporary Political Theory (3)
GVPT 444 American Political Theory (3)
GVPT 451 Foreign Policy of Russia and the States of the
Former Soviet Union (3)
GVPT 455 Contemporary Middle Eastern Politics (3)
GVPT 475 The Presidency and the Executive Branch (3)
GVPT 488 Comparative Studies in European Politics (3)
or other suitable upper-level GVPT courses
Related Coursework to the Study of Government and Politics
(3 s.h.)
The remaining three semester hours of coursework must be
selected from coursework related to the study of government
and politics.
Minor in Government and Politics
The government and politics minor complements the skills the
student gains in his or her major discipline by providing a study
of U.S. government and politics, comparative government,
international relations, public administration, and state and local
administration.
Objectives
The student who graduates with a minor in government and
politics will be able to:
• Explain political science terminology and concepts.
• Explain a variety of approaches to the study and practice of
politics.
• Explain the scope of political science, government, political
process, law, and international politics.
• Articulate informed opinions about political issues and events.
• Analyze social and political problems.
2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog 55