Undergraduate

The Political Science Department is excited to announce both a new minor and a new concentration in International Politics! The minor program is for students not majoring in Political Science, while POLS majors will now have the opportunity to select this as their concentration. Additional information about both the minor and the concentration can be found below and Rachele Gartland, the LAS Undergraduate Advisor for Political Science can answer any questions students have.

EFFECTIVE FALL 2026 – International Politics Minor

Explore political developments in countries other than the United States. Learn about international organizations and their impact on the world. Discuss ongoing international events.

Required courses (6 credits):

• POLS 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics
• POLS 184 Introduction to International Relations

Four additional courses for 12 credits, selected from the below list: 

• POLS 204             Democracy and Its Discontents
• POLS 226             Political Parties in Modern Democracies
• POLS 231             Politics and Society in China
• POLS 232             Politics in Korea
• POLS 234             Politics and Government of Western Europe
• POLS 236             Politics and Government of Eastern Europe
• POLS 242             Government and Politics of Latin America
• POLS 243             Politics and Government of the Middle East
• POLS 274             The Politics of Blackness in Latin America
• POLS 275             Gender in Latin America
• POLS 281             United States Foreign Policy
• POLS 283             International Political Economy.
• POLS 284             International Security
• POLS 286             The United Nations and Other International Organizations
• POLS 287             International Law
• POLS 296             Fascism and Dictatorship in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean
• POLS 342             European Union: Politics and Institutions
• POLS 348             Seminar: Political Problems of Developing Societies
• POLS 349             Topics in Comparative Politics
• POLS 384             International Relations Theory
• POLS 389             Seminar: Topics in International Relations

EFFECTIVE FALL 2026 – Concentration in International Politics within the Major in Political Science

Explore political developments in countries other than the United States. Learn about international organizations and their impact on the world. Discuss ongoing international events. Earn recognition for your interests within the Major in Political Science.

Foundational courses (6 credits):

• POLS 101: Introduction to American Government and Politics
• POLS 200: Methods of Political Science

Required courses (6 credits):

• POLS 130 Introduction to Comparative Politics
• POLS 184 Introduction to International Relations

Required WID seminar (3 credits):

• POLS 349: Topics in Comparative Politics

OR

• POLS 389: Seminar: Topics in International Relations

Six POLS elective courses (18 credit hours) at the 200 level and above. At least three of those six electives will be selected from this list:

• POLS 204             Democracy and Its Discontents
• POLS 226             Political Parties in Modern Democracies
• POLS 231             Politics and Society in China
• POLS 232             Politics in Korea
• POLS 234             Politics and Government of Western Europe
• POLS 236             Politics and Government of Eastern Europe
• POLS 242             Government and Politics of Latin America
• POLS 243             Politics and Government of the Middle East
• POLS 274             The Politics of Blackness in Latin America
• POLS 275             Gender in Latin America
• POLS 281             United States Foreign Policy
• POLS 283             International Political Economy
• POLS 284             International Security
• POLS 286             The United Nations and Other International Organizations
• POLS 287             International Law
• POLS 296             Fascism and Dictatorship in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean
• POLS 342             European Union: Politics and Institutions
• POLS 348             Seminar: Political Problems of Developing Societies
• POLS 384             International Relations Theory

Political Science is one of the central disciplines in a liberal arts education and provides an excellent basis for careers in government, law, journalism, business, and teaching. The UIC Department of Political Science offers you opportunities to do internships, become proficient in statistical analysis and research methods, and learn about practical politics and other forms of civic engagement. Undergraduate students can also choose from two Political Science Concentrations: Law and Courts, and Urban Politics.

For detailed major and concentration requirements, see the Requirements and Concentrations page.

All undergraduates have an assigned academic advisor in the LAS Advising Center and will be a part of that advisor’s student cohort for the duration of their academic career at UIC – from Orientation to Graduation. LAS Advising can assist with selecting a major/minor and establishing a study plan. In addition to the student’s assigned advisor, LAS Advising also provides tailored Major & Minor Advising and Pre-Law Advising.

The Political Science Major Advisor is Rachele Gartland, gartland@uic.edu; Click Here to make an appointment with Rachele, the Political Science Major Advisor. LAS Pre-Law Advising also has plenty of resources for pre-law students. Click Here to schedule a Pre-Law Advising appointment.

The Political Science Department is in the Behavioral Science Building (BSB), First Floor, Room 1102 and 1126. Visitors are welcome to M-F between 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. or call us at (312) 996-3105. Students can find Political Science Faculty member office hours here.

Political Science Honors Thesis Requirement 

The political science department offers a course, POLS 301: Internships in Political Science, which allows students to receive 6 credits while working in an internship related for political science for at least 10 hours per week. Click here for more information on POLS 301, which is generally offered in fall semesters.

Students looking to discuss internships, political science career paths, information about specific Political Science courses, and resources and support within the department, should contact:

• Dr. Petia Kostadinova – Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor of Political Science
• Dr. Katharine Floros – Clinical Associate Professor of Political Science
• Dr. Bob Bruhl – Clinical Professor of Political Science
• Dr. Juan Albarracin – Assistant Professor of Political Science
• Dr. Kumar Ramanathan – Assistant Professor of Political Science

Students are also encouraged to use the resources offered by the Career Development and Internships office at LAS and Career Services at UIC.

During the Fall semester of each academic year, the Department of Political Science awards up to two scholarships (of $1000 each) for continuing students majoring in Political Science, with a preference for first generation students. The scholarship fund is endowed with the generous support of Sharon Z. Alter. The recipients must be full-time students registered for at least 12 credit hours in the semester in which they are considered for the scholarship. Recipients must not be in their final semester of study at UIC. Both academic merit and financial need will be considered when selecting recipients. The self-nomination process is available through this form, with a deadline of 11:00pm on the Monday after Thanksgiving each year. The Department reviews applications and announces recipients in December of each Fall semester.

Annually, the department awards a Best Graduating Senior Award, a $1,000 prize. Students, who are Political Science majors, graduating in the Spring semester of every academic year are eligible to self-nominate. The self-nomination form, along with additional instructions is available here. Self-nominations, and the supporting documents, received by 11:00pm on the Friday of finals week each Spring semester will be reviewed for this award. The recipient will be announced in May of each year.

Typically, in the Spring semester of every year, the Department of Political Science announces competitions for ‘best undergraduate paper’ in several categories, such as international relations, urban politics, public policy analysis or comparative politics, and constitutional law and ethics. Any paper written for a POLS class during the academic year, Fall or Spring semester, is eligible for submission for one of these awards. Students are encouraged to keep these awards in mind when developing papers for their classes. Be on the lookout for the announcement of these competitions.

The Office of Undergraduate Research & External Fellowships (UREF) provides comprehensive support to students as they pursue undergraduate research experiences and competitive external fellowships, with a particular focus on fostering a culture of academic inquiry and faculty engagement. UREF promotes meaningful connections between faculty and students, encourages mentorship, provides high-impact advising, and educates the UIC community about opportunities for students across all disciplines, both on campus and beyond.

For more information, visit the UREF webpage.