Declaring a Politics Major or Minor

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Normally the major is declared during the second semester of the second year. Review the University Bulletin requirements for the Undergraduate Major.

Students are strongly encouraged to take two or three politics courses during their first two years at Brandeis. These courses, which will count toward the nine-course major requirement, are normally best selected from among the introductory courses.

Filling out the Declaration of Major/Minor Form

Requirements for the Major

The Politics major requires students to complete nine politics courses that include cross listed courses, transfer credits, and AP credits. List nine courses in Politics four of which will complete your subfield distribution requirements (American, International, Comparative, Political Theory). Of the nine courses, at least one must be a seminar taught within the department. These courses do not bind you in the future but are simply the courses you plan to take if they are available at the time you wish to take them. You can always informally revise your courses within the framework of the major requirements. You don't need to submit additional major forms if you change your planned courses.

Requirements for the Minor

Students considering a minor in politics are strongly encouraged to take at least two politics courses during their first two years at Brandeis. At least one of these should be an introductory course. Students should contact the departmental undergraduate advisor in order to initiate the process of declaring a minor.

A. All politics minors must complete satisfactorily at least five semester courses from among politics and cross-listed courses. A minimum of four semester courses counted toward minor credit must be taught by faculty of the Department of Politics.

B. No course grade below C will be given credit toward the minor. No course taken pass/fail may be counted toward the minor.

C. Not more than two introductory politics courses (POL 10a, 11b, 14b, or 15a).

D. At least one departmental seminar course.

E. At least one course in each of two sub-fields with the department (political theory, international politics, comparative politics, American politics).

F. Politics minors are not eligible for the departmental honors program, or for enrollment in politics graduate courses.

Download the Declaration of Major/Minor Form (Word .doc file). Save your changes and send the form as an email attachment to the Undergraduate Advising Head, Professor Peter Woll

Consult directly with Professor Woll if you have any questions, or need further advice on your choices.