Requirements for PSCI Minors

Minors and Joint Minors

Students may minor in Political Science, International Development, Survey Research & Data Analytics, American Public Policy, or European Studies.  All courses must be graded and must receive a grade  of C- or above. For students who minor in more than one of these, no more than three courses may be double-counted between two minors. 

The Political Science Minor

A minor in the discipline consists of six political science courses. All six courses must be rostered in the political science department; no "major-related" courses are accepted. One of these must be an “introductory” course, chosen from among: PSCI 0100 (previously PSCI 110), PSCI  0101 (previously PSCI 116), PSCI 0200 (previously PSCI 130), PSCI 0400 (previously PSCI 150), PSCI 0600 (previously PSCI 180) or PSCI 0601 (previously PSCI 181). No more than two courses may be transfer credits. All six courses must be graded. Students majoring in programs of which Political Science is an integral component (i.e., International Relations; Philosophy, Politics & Economics) may not double count more than three courses toward the Political Science minor. A minor should be declared by informing the College Advisor, and meeting with the Associate Director to set up a worksheet.

The International Development Minor

The International Development minor is intended for students who wish to complement their primary area of study with an interdisciplinary focus on complex social problems associated with international development. The minor is composed of six courses. All six courses must be graded. At least three must be in Political Science, and no more than three may be from another department, to be selected in consultation with the Associate Director of the Undergraduate Program.  No more than 3 courses can count both toward a student’s major and the International Development minor. See here for a list of political science classes that have been pre-approved for the International Development minor: /sites/default/files/Courses%20fulfill%20the%20International%20Development%20minor.xlsx 

Survey Research and Data Analytics

The Survey Research and Data Analytics minor is intended for students who wish to complement their primary area of study with an interdisciplinary focus on using data and survey methods for conducting research and evaluating programs, policies, and outcomes in the social sciences.  The minor is comprised of six courses--all of which must be graded. Students must satisfy at least one requirement in each core competency listed below. The final three elective courses are intended to provide students an opportunity to engage with a particular interest area. 

For more information on the SRDA minor, see http://pores.upenn.edu/students/survey-research-data-analytics-minor.

American Public Policy / Business ​Economics & Public Policy 

The Department also offers a joint minor in American Public Policy with the Business Economics and Public Policy (BEPP) Department of the Wharton School.  The minor requires six courses, three from each department, to be selected from the list below:

PSCI: 0200 (previously PSCI 130) (mandatory) ​and any two other American Politics subfield courses. See here for a list of political science classes that have been pre-approved for the minor: /sites/default/files/Course%20fulfill%20American%20Public%20Policy%20minor%20.xlsx

BEPP: 2010 (mandatory) and any two other BEPP courses

European Studies Minor

The Department also participates in an interdisciplinary minor in European Studies. Some of the core courses in the minor are in Political Science. 

The minor in European Studies requires six courses:

1. Two core courses:

     a. One in European institutions (PSCI 1171 The European Union)

     b. One in European History, to be selected in consultation with the advisor

2. Two courses beyond the language requirement, normally at advanced level, in any non-English European language

3. Two electives pertinent to the study of European politics and culture, to be selected in consultation with the advisor.

The program allows the transfer of up to 3 C.U.s from study abroad programs. For more information, contact Dr. Mitchell Orenstein at more@sas.upenn.edu.