Undergraduate News
Table with food and hands eating

Join us at Brooklyn's for a Political Mixer!

Undergraduates Graduates Events
We're excited to announce that Pi Sigma Alpha will be hosting a special mixer on Thursday, November 16th from 5:30-7 pm at Brooklyn's (901 Auraria Parkway). This is an excellent opportunity for faculty and students to connect, unwind, and engage in political discussion. This event promises to be a relaxing...

Read more about Join us at Brooklyn's for a Political Mixer!

Flyer for meeting with Nga. Headshot of Nga smiling. Text content included in article body.
Meet With PSCI Alumna Nga Vương-Sandoval
Events
Martin Widzer, Betcy Jose and Bassem Hassan smiling
Gaza: A Panel and Discussion
Events
Denver capitol at night
CU at the Capitol - Spring 2024
Undergraduates Jobs & Internships
Flyer for info session. Details in article body text.
Korea Goes Global Q&A Session
Events

Undergraduate

Political Science: A degree of opportunity

Political Science prepares students for careers in government, law, business, and education. Our students develop high-level critical-thinking skills, problem solving skills, and communication skills among many others. Our award-winning faculty go above and beyond to provide our students with top-tier instruction and individual mentorship during their study, and beyond.  

Find your next Political Science Course!

Search for your Next Class instructions graphic 1. select cu denver, Term, Denver Campus, and enter PSCIGo to the CU Denver course database

CU Denver Course Database

  1. Select "CU Denver" for Institution
  2. Enter the semester and year
  3. Select "Denver Campus"
    NOTE: Online courses are listed under "Denver Campus"; New Directions courses are listed under "Extended Studies."
  4. Enter "PSCI" in the Subject field
  5. Hit search

Spring 2024 PSCI Courses: Enroll Now!

PSCI 1001 – Introduction to Political Science: The Quest for Freedom and Justice 

Section E01: Professor Harvey Bishop, online

Section 002: Professor James Walsh, in-person MoWe 9:30- 10:45 am 

PSCI 1101 – American Political System

Section E01: Professor Harvey Bishop, online

Section 002: Professor James Walsh, in-person MoWe 11-12:15 pm 

PSCI 2011 – Logic of Political Inquiry

Section E01: Professor Karen Beslin, online

PSCI 3022 – Political Systems of the World

Section E01: Professor Thorsten Spehn, online

Section 002: Professor Basim Mahmood, in-person MoWe 3:30-4:45 pm 

PSCI 3034– Race, Gender, Law and Public Policy 

Section 001: Professor Glenn Morris, in-person MoWe 11-1:30 pm

PSCI 3042– World Politics 

Section E01: Professor Betcy Jose, online

Section 002: Professor Basim Mahmood, in-person TuTh 9:30-10:45 pm 

PSCI 3347– Flim and Politics 

Section E01: Professor TBA, online

PSCI 3914– The Urban Citizen

Section 001: Professor James Walsh, in-person TuTh 12:30-1:45 pm 

PSCI 4057– Religion and Politics 

Section E01: Professor Nicholas Rockwell, online

PSCI 4075– Gentrification and Social Equity 

Section 001: Professor Anthony Robinson, in-person Wed 5-7:50 pm

PSCI 4094– Seminar: American Politics 

Section 001: Professor Michael Berry, in-person Tu 5-7:30 pm

PSCI 4105– Comparative Politics: Europe

Section E01: Professor Christoph Stefes, online

PSCI 4126– Politics, Powers, and Profit

Section E01: Professor Christoph Stefes, online

PSCI 4146– Indigenous Politics

Section 001: TBA

PSCI 4155– Politics Systems of the Middle East and North Africa 

Section 001: Professor Bassem Hassan, in-person MoWe 11-12:15 pm

PSCI 4216– International Politics: Human Rights 

Section 001: Professor Bassem Hassan, in-person MoWe 9:30-10:45 am

PSCI 4240– International Security 

Section 001: Professor Bassem Hassan, in-person MoWe 12:30-1:45 pm

PSCI 4354– Environmental Politics  

Section E01: Professor Harvey Bishop, online

PSCI 4444– Contemporary Culture and Politics in America 

Section E01: Professor Harvey Bishop, online

PSCI 4487– Constitituional Law II

Section 001: Professor Omar Swartz, in-person TuTh 2-3:15 pm

PSCI 4545– Immigration Politics

Section 001: TBA

PSCI 4564– Gender and Politics 

Section E01: Professor Karen Sugar, online

PSCI 4808– Strategies of Peacebuilding 

Section 001: Professor Martin Widzer, in-person TuTh 12:30-1:45 pm

PSCI 4960– Capstone in Political Science 

Section E01: Professor Betcy Jose, online

Interested?

Join us for a Q & A with PSCI faculty and students for prospective undergraduates. RSVP now for Thurs, Nov. 16, 2023 at 5 pm on zoom! 

Register Now!

Undergraduate Options:

PSCI Undergraduate Advisor:
Karen Breslin

Declare a PSCI Major or Minor:
1. Meet with College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) advising to declare their major or minor.

2. Meet with your PSCI Advisor, Karen Breslin. 

3. Meet with your CLAS Academic Advisor. 

Running a Degree Audit: 

1. Log into your UCD Access

2. Scroll to quick links and select "Degree Audit"

3. Select your audit and click "Run Audit" 

4. Select "Political Science Major: General Requirements"

Learning Goals & Objectives for Graduates

In their introductory classes, and continuing at successively higher levels across their departmental studies, Political Science students will consistently improve their:

Knowledge of the American Political System Knowledge of political systems across history and world region Knowledge of theoretical foundations of political systems and political values Ability to compare political systems in their differing abilities to deliver public welfare Knowledge of the processes, institutions and actors involved in globalization This knowledge will be focused by engagement with the fundamental questions of political life, both contemporary and enduring.   Students will place themselves in conversation with multiple political and moral perspectives, including those outside of the traditional Western canon, by developing their own positions and by seeing how their positions build from and contribute to these perspectives.

Inquiry and analysis • Critical thinking • Creative thinking • Written communication • Oral communication • Reading Ability • Quantitative literacy • Information literacy • Teamwork • Problem solving These skills will be applied to evaluate conflicting arguments, assemble and present empirical evidence using appropriate methods of research and data analysis, make reasoned conclusions from the evidence available, and prepare professional and persuasive presentations regarding those conclusions.

Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global Intercultural knowledge and competence Ethical reasoning and action Foundations and skills for lifelong learning This responsibility will be anchored through active involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges (including internships, service-learning and other experiential learning opportunities) that allow students to reflect on the relationship between theory, political practice and potential career paths.  In these experiences, students will apply critical thinking skills to solve collective problems in a manner that improves the public good.

Completion of department course work across a range of political science subfields Application of insights from other programs of study to enhance their political understanding and practical skills This learning will be demonstrated through the application of integrative and holistic knowledge and skills to foster purposeful civic commitments, to produce effective oral and written presentations, and to develop practical skills for continual personal and professional development.

The Department of Political Science conducts annual assessments of student progress towards departmental learning objectives. Assessments are typically targeted towards different categories of courses in different years. For example, one year the department might assess all “experiential learning” courses, while another year we might assess our “core curriculum” courses, and in another year we might assess our study abroad courses. In some years, the department conducts a broader assessment of department-wide progress towards learning objectives across many different courses. The specific strategies typically utilized in our annual assessment process are a mixture of the following: • Direct Assessment of Course-Based Learning. The Political Science Department reviews student exams, written papers, oral presentations and final portfolios for targeted classes during its assessment • Student Self-Assessment Surveys. The Political Science Department often embeds a student self-assessment survey into its assessment process. The survey collects students’ self-assessment of their own intellectual growth, knowledge gained, and level of change in political aptitudes, skills, attitudes and engagement level during their time in our classes and department. Informal assessments include a review of student FCQ comments and other informal verbal feedback from students. • Master’s Capstone Assessment. The Political Science Department periodically assembles a team of faculty to review all master’s theses or projects submitted for oral defense in an academic year, to conduct an assessment of progress towards learning objectives among our master’s students.