Program Requirements
This emphasis qualifies students for State of Colorado Licensure in Social Science Education. Students interested in pursuing this comprehensive program should consult with the Teacher Education Program advisor in addition to the advisor in their major as soon as possible. A minimum of 72 credits is required. In addition, students must fulfill the Secondary Licensure Option described under Education. The following courses are required:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 201 | Macroeconomics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| ECON 202 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECON 303 | International Economics and Globalization | 3 |
| ECON 476 | American Economic Development | 3 |
| GEOG 110 | World Regional Geography (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| GEOG 120 | Introduction to Human Geography (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| GEOG 250 | Geography of North America (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| GEOL 101 | Physical Geology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| HIST 100 | Topics in World History (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| HIST 126 | U.S. History to 1865 (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| HIST 127 | U.S. History Since 1865 (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| HIST 200 | Historical Inquiry | 3 |
| HIST 327 | Colorado History | 3 |
| POLS 117 | Introduction to Political Ideas (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| POLS 180 | Introduction to American Politics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| POLS 255 | Introduction to Comparative Politics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| POLS 282 | Issues in State and Local Government | 3 |
| POLS 300 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| POLS 301 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| POLS 309 | Political Theory I- Ancient to Early Modern | 3 |
| POLS 310 | Political Theory II-Modern and Contemporary | 3 |
| POLS 376 | American Political Thought | 3 |
| One of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to World Politics (GT-SS1) | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Select one of the following capstone courses: | 3 | |
| Studies in Political Theory: | ||
| Studies in American Politics: | ||
| Studies in International Relations: | ||
| Studies in Comparative Politics: | ||
| Total Credits | 72 | |
Capstone Course Requirement
The following courses in the Politics and Government Major fulfill the capstone course requirement: POLS 485 Studies in Political Theory:; POLS 486 Studies in American Politics:; POLS 487 Studies in International Relations:; POLS 488 Studies in Comparative Politics:.
Graduation Requirements
Undergraduate programs require a minimum of 120 semester credits for graduation. Of those 120 credits, 40 credits must be in upper-division courses (those marked 300 and above). Fifteen of these 40 upper-division credits must be earned in courses that are part of the standard or comprehensive major program being pursued.
Students are expected to review all graduation requirements, which can be found in the Western Undergraduate Catalog: Graduation Requirements.
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| POLS 117 | Introduction to Political Ideas (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| POLS 180 | Introduction to American Politics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 3 |
| HIST 100 | Topics in World History (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 260 | Introduction to World Politics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| ECON 201 | Macroeconomics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| GEOL 101 | Physical Geology (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| HIST 200 | Historical Inquiry | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 282 | Issues in State and Local Government | 3 |
| ECON 202 | Microeconomics | 3 |
| GEOG 110 | World Regional Geography (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| HIST 126 | U.S. History to 1865 (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 301 | Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| ECON 303 | International Economics and Globalization | 3 |
| GEOG 250 | Geography of North America (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| HIST 127 | U.S. History Since 1865 (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 300 | Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| HIST 327 | Colorado History | 3 |
| GEOG 120 | Introduction to Human Geography (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| POLS 309 | Political Theory I- Ancient to Early Modern | 3 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 476 | American Economic Development | 3 |
| POLS 310 | Political Theory II-Modern and Contemporary | 3 |
| POLS | POLS Capstone | 3 |
| Gen Ed | General Education Courses | 3 |
| Elective | Electives | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| EDUC 403 | INSTRTN&ASMT IN CONTENT AREA | 3 |
| EDUC 404 | Creating Positive Learning Environments | 3 |
| EDUC 405 | Data-driven Instructional Practices | 3 |
| EDUC 409 | Secondary Student Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 424 | Differentiation: Applying Learner-Centered Instruction | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| EDUC 402 | Reading Comprehension, Vocabulary, and Fluency | 3 |
| EDUC 406 | Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| EDUC 407 | Maximizing Learning through 21st Century Skills | 3 |
| EDUC 408 | Teaching Writing with the Brain in Mind | 3 |
| EDUC 409 | Secondary Student Teaching | 3 |
| EDUC 429 | Teaching English Learners for Secondary and K-12 Teachers | 3 |
| Credits | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 124 | |