<p>As compared to:
1) Normal MSU classes, especially a political science major
2) Other highly regarded poli sci/public policy programs like UMich, UVA, etc.</p>
<p>Also, do you think it is worth going out of state to do the James Madison College? I'm quite interested in politics and might look at grad school. If i don't go to MSU/JMC i will likely look at Wisconsin-Madison, UofM, UVA, (all reaches) maybe Virginia Tech and JMU - in state for VA schools.
Wow, 3 of those schools have to do with James Madison (J*MU, JMC, UW-M*)</p>
<p>The JMC workload is definitely harder than the regular courseload at MSU, the first year program especially. Essentially the professors in your 2 madison classes refuse to give a 4.0 (or close to it) for at least for the first couple assignments. The 1st year is sort-of a weed-out year- if you are not passionate about politics, you probably do not want to join James Madison. However I've heard it gets quite a bit easier sophomore year, and if you stick with it is a fantastic program with far more benefits than not. Majoring in poly-sci is good as well. However, it has quite a different focus than james madison and arguably isn't as rigorous (and lacks the community aspect of the residential colleges). Remember if you are looking for purely poly-sci, James madison does not offer that. But it does offer political theory/constitutional democracy, social relations/policy, international relations, and comparative cultures & politics majors (which are all great for pre-law if that's what you are looking for). So depending on what appeals to you JMC may or may not be for you </p>
<p>I have no idea as to the workload of JMC compared to other university poly-sci programs. But in comparison to anything JMC definitely is not for those looking to completely slack off-it is a rigorous program with numerous opportunities for "honors" options and other challenges. </p>
<p>IMO, it is for sure worth it to go out of state for JMC. However it all depends on what i have mentioned above. UofM has one of the most highly ranked undergraduate poly-sci programs in the country (however, it does not offer an international relations major or the numerous specializations that James Madison college at MSU does). I think MSU is worth it but it depends on the cost...if you can get into a good political science program at a different university that is cheaper in comparison, go there. But if MSU is your cheapest option, certainly put James Madison under heavy consideration.</p>
<p>Thanks Falalalena as i'm interested in this topic as well. Do you think a double major within JMC of political theory and International Relations is doable - with a reasonable amount of work? Or IR in the JMC + Political Science?
Also, thank you for posting that UMich does not offer IR, i did not realize this and it could be a key factor.
I'm coming from OOS too, and oddly enough, from VA (already gotten the acceptance in the mail)</p>
<p>Lots and lots of jmc students double major within the james madison college, i.e. double major in political theory and International relations, international relations and comparative cultures, political theory and social relations etc. The combinations are endless and it is definitely doable, as so many of the courses overlap. Some people even double major within james madison and have a specialization on top of it all. </p>
<p>A double major with a James madison major and then with another school (i.e. college of social science: political science) is also very doable, but a little bit more difficult than double majoring within james madison itself.</p>
<p>Thanks alot, could you elaborate on the differences between an political theory major in JMC and what you'd get from being a normal political science major?
I'm leaning towards going to MSU to major in political theory + IR in james madison.</p>
<p>I really don't know that much about the differences between political theory at JMC compared to political science at the college of social sciences, you'd have to speak to advisors to really get the nuances of that type of thing. Sry</p>