Minor in Political Science: Requirements

The objective of the Minor Program in Political Science is to deepen and expand student knowledge of the discipline of political science. A minor in political science consists of six subjects divided into two tiers, selected from any of the discipline's subfields.  Tier I consists of introductory subjects and Tier II of upper-level subjects. The subfields are: Political Philosophy/Social Theory, Political Economy, American Politics, Public Policy, International Politics, Comparative Politics, Methods and Models.

The requirements of the minor are as follows:

Tier I : At least one but no more than two introductory subjects (introductory subjects are designated with two-digit numbers) from any subfield of the discipline. These introductory subjects provide broad theoretical and/or empirical overviews of their subject matter. Examples include:


Tier II : At least four but no more than five upper level   subjects. These specialized subjects provide students with advanced and in-depth examination of their subject matter. Examples include:

One of the subjects can be a from  another department at MIT or from another school such as Wellesley, Harvard, or transfer political science credit from another university.

The following are examples of potential minors in Political Science:

Example A (focusing on Political Theory and US Politics and Policy with exposure to US foreign policy):

Tier I:
17.01J Justice
17.40 American Foreign Policy

Tier II:
17.249J Law and Society
17.281 Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
17.317 US Social Policy
17.483 US Military Power

Example B (focusing on US politics, democracy, race, ethnic conflict):

Tier I:
17.20 Introduction to the American Political Process
17.50 Introduction to Comparative Politics

Tier II:
17.265 Public Opinion and American Democracy
17.391J Human Rights Theory and Practice
17.405 Seminar on Politics and Conflicts in the Middle East
17.523 Ethnicity and Race in World Politics

Example C (focusing on technology, policy and methodology):

Tier I:
17.30 Making Public Policy

Tier II:
17.181 Sustainable Development
17.303J Methods of Policy Analysis
17.309J Science, Technology and Policy
17.477J Technology and Policy of Weapons Systems
17.811 Game Theory and Political Theory

One of the subjects can be from another department at MIT or another school such as Wellesley, Harvard, or transfer political science credit from another university.

General guidelines for a HASS minor:

For more information on HASS Minor requirements visit the HASS Minor website.

Political Science Subjects in Tiers:

Tier I

17.01J Justice
17.03 Introduction to Political Thought
17.20 Introduction to the American Political Process
17.30J Making Public Policy
17.40 American Foreign Policy
17.42 Causes and Prevention of War
17.50 Introduction to Comparative Politics
17.55J Introduction to Latin American Studies
17.57J Soviet and Post-Soviet Politics and Society 1917 - Present

Tier II

17.007J Feminist Political Thought
17.021J Philosophy of Law
17.045J Power: Interpersonal, Organizational and Global Dimensions
17.115 International Political Economy
17.125 The Politics of Global Financial Relations
17.135 Comparative Poliics of Business-Government Relations
17.181 Sustainable Development: Theory, Research and Policy
17.195 Globalization
17.199J Working in a Global Economy
17.243 Media Politics
17.249J Law and Society
17.251 Congress and the American Political System I
17.261 Congress and the American Political System II
17.263 Electoral Politics
17.265 Public Opinion and American Democracy
17.281 Public Opinion and Foreign Policy
17.303J Methods of Policy Analysis
17.309J Science, Technology and Public Policy
17.311 Politics, Race and Science
17.315 Health Policy
17.317 US Social Policy
17.391J Human Rights in Theory and Practice
17.393J Environmental Law, Policy, and Economics: Pollution Prevention and Control
17.405 Seminar on Politics and Conflicts in the Middle East
17.407 Chinese Foreign Policy
17.411 Globalization, Migration and International Relations
17.433 International Relations of East Asia
17.441 International Politics and Climate Change
17.475J Nuclear Forces and Missile Defenses
17.477J Technology and Policy of Weapons Systems
17.483J U.S. Military Power
17.509 Social Movements in Comparative Perspective
17.515 Comparative Electoral Politics
17.517 Participation in Public Life
17.523 Race and Ethnicity in World Politics
17.537 Politics and Policy in Contemporary Japan
17.543 Japanese Politics and Society
17.547 The Rise of China
17.551 Political Economy of Chinese Reform
17.559 Comparative Security and Sustainability
17.561 European Politics
17.565 Israel: History, Politics, Culture and Identity
17.811 Game Theory and Political Theory
17.869 Political Science Scope and Methods
17.871 Political Science Laboratory
17.901 Internship in Politics and Public Affairs (Not a Hass subject)
17.905 Political Economy of Technology and Development in Mexico and Brazil
17.920 The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. IAP Design Seminar (Not a Hass subject)

There are also many classes taught at the graduate level which fulfill Tier 2. Permission of instructor required. Student will have to petition to have these classes count as HASS subjects. Please see our subject list or check the Political Science listing in the MIT Bulletin for potential graduate classes to use in a minor.

 

If you have questions about the minor in political science or would like to set up an appointment to fill out an application for a minor contact Tobie Weiner (617-253-3649, iguanatw@mit.edu) or Scott Schnyer (617-258-5883, sschnyer@mit.edu) or stop by the Political Science Undergraduate Office in E53-484.