American Civics Minor
Admissions Process
Admission occurs on a rolling basis. Students at all levels are encouraged to consider whether the minor fits with their career goals and academic plans. Students who want to learn more or wish to be considered for admission should start by filling out the interest form. We will reach out to set up an initial meeting and share application instructions.
Please communicate your interest with your assigned academic advisor before completing the interest form. Students are required to meet with their minor advisor upon admission to the minor.
Students must complete all courses from this list with a 2.5 GPA or higher for the American Civics minor. For students planning on advanced study a 3.0 GPA or higher is recommended. For students pursuing the 4+1 option with the Master of Public Administration (MPA) or Master of Public Policy (MPP) a 3.4 GPA or higher is required. The American Civics minor includes 3 credit hours of prerequisite courses from the Vol Core (IAC 101), 15 credit hours of required courses (IAC 201, IAC 203, IAC 301, IAC 412, and one upper division IAC 3 credit course, selected by the student). Other courses to complete a concentration may be accepted upon approval by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Prerequisite Courses
IAC 101 Engaging Civically
3 Credit Hours Rights and duties of citizenship; modes of citizen engagement in public affairs; the role of civil discourse in democratic debate.
Pre-Major Core Courses
Applicants for admission to the program must complete the required prerequisites and pre-major core courses with a 2.5 GPA or higher.
IAC 102 Visions of America
3 Credit Hours | Exploring differing perspectives on core American ideals and values, including liberty, equality, justice, and democracy.
IAC 201 Construction and Reconstruction of the American Republic
3 Credit Hours An examination of the philosophical, legal, cultural, and historical foundations of the American Revolution, the framing of the Constitution, the establishment of the new republic, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.
IAC 412 Philosophical Origins of American Ideologies
3 Credit Hours Examination of philosophical influences on modern American political ideologies.
Students must select two course:
IAC 302 American Legal System
3 Credit Hours An overview of the structure of the legal system and the functions of key institutions and actors within that system.
IAC 303 Legal Research and Writing
3 Credit Hours An introduction to the methodology of legal research and the practice of writing legal briefs and memoranda.
IAC 311 Might and Right in Foreign Policy
3 Credit Hours | Investigating the ongoing tension between the national interest and national ideals in formulating American security and diplomatic strategies.
IAC 313 War and Peace
3 Credit Hours | Analyzing the causes, ethics, strategy, and experiences of war, as well as how wars are concluded and peace restored.
IAC 401 The Art of the Possible
3 Credit Hours Conflict, communication, consensus building, and compromise in public policymaking. Emphasis on case studies.
IAC 404 Crime, Law, and Justice
3 Credit Hours An overview of substantive and procedural criminal law and the operations of the criminal justice system with emphasis on the courts.
IAC 405 Civil Law and Justice
3 Credit Hours An introduction to civil law, including torts, contracts, property, and family law, as well as the adjudication of civil cases.
IAC 406 Constitutional Interpretation
3 Credit Hours | Exploring ways in which the Constitution can be understood and applied to contemporary issues. Perspectives examined will include originalism, textualism, pragmatism, and “living constitutionalism.”
IAC 413 The Military in American Democracy
3 Credit Hours Constitutional and statutory underpinnings of the military establishment, civilian control of the military, the role of military leadership in policy making, changing roles for the military, policies regarding military service, interagency cooperation, military effectiveness, and operational challenges.
IAC 493 Independent Study
3 Credit Hours Individualized study of issues and/or processes in civics. Registration Permission: Consent of Instructor.
IAC 494 Internship
0–9 Credit Hours Approved internships and other professional opportunities. Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only. Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 9 hours.
IAC 495 Special Topics in American Civics
3 Credit Hours Seminar addressing an area of study or current issue within the field of civics. Repeatability: May be repeated.