School of Government
15 Credit Hours
Thoughtfully structured courses that build from foundational law and governance to specialized electives tailored to your goals.
GOVT 401
Your introduction to the world of public service, this course covers governmental institutions and nonprofits, ethics and public values, and the core functions of administrative governance. Essentially: how does government work?
GOVT 402
This is where legal reasoning comes to life. You'll dig into constitutional principles, legal authority, judicial interpretation, due process, and First Amendment rights. Think of it as law school, but accessible and fun.
Note: Students may substitute POLI 75: Thinking about Law for GOVT 402, given the close similarities between the two courses.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-VALUES
GOVT 410
Using Valerie Bauerlein's The Devil at His Elbow: Alex Murdaugh and the Fall of a Southern Dynasty as a lens, this course examines the rules governing ethical behavior by government officials and public attorneys and what happens when those rules break down. It's a case study in power, accountability, and the consequences of corruption in public life.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-POWER or FC-VALUES
GOVT 411
How do the three branches of state government shape systems that serve children? This course takes a deep look at how the executive, legislative, and judicial branches create and implement policies in juvenile justice and child welfare. Topics include state budgeting, lawmaking, executive-agency rulemaking, and appellate case law.
IDEAs in Action Gen Ed: FC-POWER or FC-VALUES
For your remaining credits, choose the course(s) that match your interests and goals.
PLCY 360
State and Local Politics
PLCY 375
Law and Public Policy
POLI 201
Politics of Bureaucracy
POLI 205
Politics in the U.S. States
POLI 405
Local Politics in the United States
POLI 406
State Governments: Laboratories of Democracy
*Students may submit other electives to the director of undergraduate studies for approval.
Other relevant courses, including select graduate-level courses taken for undergraduate credit, may count toward your electives with approval from the School of Government director of undergraduate studies. Some examples include:
PUBA 756
Nonprofit Management
PUBA 753
Performance Management in Local Government
PUBA 764
Grant Writing
Ask your advisor about your options.
We'd love to connect with you. Reach out to our team to discuss the minor, your goals, and how we can help you achieve them.
