Politics, Law and Leadership (BA)
Through the B.A. in Politics, Law, and Leadership, you will develop your capacity to think strategically and lead others by making sophisticated decisions, reasoning objectively, reading and writing with precision, arguing persuasively, and speaking in a clear, compelling, and civil manner about matters of importance to society. You will also learn how businesses and non-profit organizations interact with governments, allowing you to navigate the complexities of local, national, and global civil society. Most importantly, you will reflect on the ultimate purposes of human actions, such as justice and the common good. Whether you are persuading clients or colleagues, winning courtroom battles, engaging fellow citizens in fruitful dialogue, or collaborating with people from diverse cultural and international backgrounds, these skills will help you empower yourself and others to lead more informed, connected, and fulfilling lives.
In addition to offering a major and a minor, the department is essential for pre-law students. It oversees a 3+3 accelerated admissions program to the University of Iowa College of Law, and offers advising for pre-law students regardless of major. The department also contributes to the interdisciplinary minor in Pre-Law Studies.
All Politics, Law and Leadership majors are required to fill out the evaluation form when they declare the major.
Requirements for a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Politics, Law, and Leadership
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Politics, Law and Leadership | ||
| PSCI-101 | American Government | 3 |
| or PSCI-110 | Law and Society: an Introduction to the American Legal System | |
| PSCI-120 | Leadership and the Goals of Government | 3 |
| PSCI-130 | Global Issues | 3 |
| Political Science Methods and Research | ||
| STAT-145 | Introductory Statistics | 3 |
| PSCI-400 | Research in Political Science | 3 |
| Politics in Practice | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Civil Discourse & Civil Society | ||
| Mock Trial (three semesters) | ||
| Model United Nations (three semesters) | ||
| Internship | ||
| Domestic Governance | ||
| Select two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Dynamics of Government | ||
| Dynamics of Law | ||
| Dynamics of Statesmanship | ||
| Global Governance | ||
| Select two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| The U.S. in World Politics | ||
| Democracy, Globalization, & Human Rights | ||
| International Law and Global Governance | ||
| Total Credits | 30 | |
Requirements for the 3 + 3 Agreement with the University of Iowa College of Law
Students completing their third year at SAU will be certified to complete their education at the University of Iowa College of Law by satisfying the following:
- Pass PSCI-110 Law and Society: an Introduction to the American Legal System and one of the following with a grade of A- or better in each course: PSCI-304 United States Constitution and Civil Liberties, PSCI-316 International Law and Organizations, PSCI-320 Dynamics of Statesmanship, or PSCI-360 Government and Law;
- Complete all SAU general education requirements;
- Complete all major or minor requirements with the exception of courses that the Department of their major or minor waives or substitutes;
- Complete all SAU graduation requirements (non-major electives or the requirement of their last 30 credits at SAU are exempt); and
- Meet all admissions criteria as determined by the University of Iowa College of Law.
For more information contact the Pre-law Director in the Department of Political Science and Leadership Studies.