Interdisciplinary Studies: Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG) (BA)

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Offered by the Department of Government , School of Public Affairs , this interdisciplinary major is designed for students who want a breadth of background necessary to participate effectively in decision making for public affairs and the practical training necessary to deal with social problems as public issues.

Admission to the Program

New freshmen and transfer students are admitted through the university’s Admissions Office. Students currently enrolled in the university who wish to transfer into the Department of Government or develop a double major or minor should have a grade point average of 2.50 or higher and the approval of the undergraduate academic advisor.

University Requirements

120 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better
Completion of college writing requirement
Completion of university mathematics requirement

General Education Requirements

A total of ten courses, consisting of two courses from each of the five foundational areas
At least one course from Area Five: The Natural and Mathematical Sciences must include a laboratory science component
No more than two courses may be taken in the same discipline

Major Requirements

57 credit hours with grades of C or better

Course Requirements

Required (33 credit hours)

COMM-200 Writing for Communication (3)
COMM-310 Public Speaking (3)
ECON-100 Macroeconomics FA4 (3)
ECON-200 Microeconomics FA4 (3)
GOVT-105 Individual Freedom vs. Authority FA2 (3)
or
GOVT-130 Comparative Politics FA3 (3)
GOVT-110 Politics in the United States FA4 (3-4)
GOVT-210 Political Power and American Public Policy FA4 (3)
GOVT-391 Internship (1-6) (3 credit hours required)
GOVT-489 CLEG Seminar (3)
JLC-101 Introduction to Law (3)
or
JLC-104 Introduction to Systems of Justice (3)
SPA-189 Introduction to Communication, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government (CLEG) (3)

Research (3 credit hours)

Complete one course from the following:

Electives (21 credit hours)

21 additional credit hours, including 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above, selected from a list of approved courses in communication (COMM-xxx), legal institutions (JLC-xxx), economics (ECON-xxx), and government (GOVT-xxx). Students complete one course from each of the four categories and an additional three courses approved by the Department of Government. The list of approved courses is available in the Department of Government office.

Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its combined bachelor’s/master’s programs. See Combined Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees for more information.