Individualized Cognate Courses


If you have questions regarding cognates or courses eligible to be used in individualized cognates, please log in to Navigate to schedule time to speak with your academic advisor.

Beginning in Fall 2021, UM students can fulfill the Areas of Knowledge general education requirement by creating an individualized cognate. Only courses (UM as well as transfer courses) with an Area of Knowledge course attribute in CaneLink can be used in an individualized cognate. All three courses in an individualized cognate must have the appropriate Area of Knowledge course attribute. Courses used in an individualized cognate cannot be double counted toward any other degree requirement. An individualized cognate must be a minimum of 3 courses (9 credit hours). Individualized cognates use the following academic plan codes: AT_0080 (Arts & Humanities), PS_0070 (People & Society), and ST_0026 (STEM). For information on thematic cognates, use the cognate search engine.

Below is a searchable list of current courses that can be used in an individualized cognate.

NOTE: The course a student takes to fulfill the quantitative skills proficiency requirement cannot be double counted by including it in an individualized cognate. Also courses with a grade of CR (except for test credits that are accepted with a UM equivalency from AP, IB, GCE, Cambridge Pre-U, CAPE, and CLEP programs) cannot be used to fulfill general education or other degree requirements like individualized cognates.

The courses below are currently effective for the: Spring 2026 Term

Subject Course No. Course Title Area of Knowledge Designation Typically Offered Credits (Min/Max)
POL 203 Introduction to International Relations People and Society Fall, Spring, Summer 3/3
POL 250 Scope and Methods of Political Science People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 301 The Science and Practice of Political Research People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 302 Political Fiction and Film People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 305 Introduction to Political Theory People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 306 Positive Political Theory People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 307 Political Ideologies People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 309 American Political Thought People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 311 Conspiracy Theories and the Public People and Society Fall, Spring, Summer 3/3
POL 312 Politics, Society and Popular Culture People and Society Spring 3/3
POL 313 The Constitution People and Society Fall, Spring 3/3
POL 314 Legislative Processes People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 315 American Presidency People and Society Fall 3/3
POL 316 Politics of Globalism People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 317 Race and Ethnic Politics in the U.S. People and Society Fall, Spring, Summer 3/3
POL 318 Economics for Politics and Public Administration People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 319 Politics of the Administrative Process People and Society Fall, Spring 3/3
POL 320 Politics of Growth Management People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 321 Introduction to Public Policy People and Society Fall 3/3
POL 322 Environmental Politics and Policy People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 323 Global Warming, Politics and the European Union People and Society Summer 6/6
POL 324 Crime and Punishment: Implicit Bias in the Justice System People and Society Fall, Spring 3/3
POL 325 Hot Topics in the Criminal Justice System People and Society Fall, Spring 3/3
POL 326 Native American Politics People and Society Spring 3/3
POL 327 War, Diplomacy, and Influence People and Society Fall 3/3
POL 332 Mass Media and Politics People and Society Fall, Spring, Summer 3/3
POL 334 Campaigns People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 335 Democracy in Action: Local Government Simulation People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 337 International Law and Organizations People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 340 Civil Wars People and Society Fall 3/3
POL 341 Nationalism, Ethnicity, and Political Conflict People and Society Fall 3/3
POL 342 State Government and Politics People and Society Spring 3/3
POL 343 Government in Metropolitan Areas People and Society Fall, Spring 3/3
POL 344 Gender and Politics People and Society Fall, Spring 3/3
POL 345 The United States and Asia People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 346 U.S.-Latin American Relations People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 347 American Foreign Policy People and Society Spring 3/3
POL 348 United States Relations with the Middle East People and Society Spring 3/3
POL 349 U.S. Defense Policy People and Society Fall, Spring, Summer 3/3
POL 350 International Cooperation People and Society Fall, Spring 3/3
POL 351 Public Opinion People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 352 Political Parties People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 353 Interest Groups and Lobbying People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 355 Theories and Debates in International Relations People and Society Fall 3/3
POL 359 International Organizations People and Society Summer 3/3
POL 361 Ending Wars and Building Peace People and Society Spring 3/3
POL 362 Social Movements People and Society Spring 3/3
POL 363 Psychology and International Relations People and Society Spring 3/3
POL 367 The Historical Roots of American Imperialism People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3
POL 369 Latinx Politics People and Society By Announcement Only 3/3