B.A. in Political Science
The 120-credit Bachelor of Science in Political Science is an individualized, interdisciplinary program designed for students interested in a liberal arts approach to the contemporary world. You will graduate from this program with a well rounded knowledge of political theory, American government, international relations, comparative government and public administration. Distinguished professors interact with their students in small class settings that foster the exchange of information, perspective and ideas. Visiting professors from prestigious institutions, including the United Nations, offer insights developed in the course of careers in diplomacy, politics and public policy. A degree in political science is excellent preparation for a career in education, law, public administration, business and many other fields.
Program Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| POL 102 | Introduction to American Politics | 3 |
| POL 101 | Introduction to Political Science | 3 |
| POL 215 | Introduction to Research and Writing in Political Science | 3 |
| POL 150 | International Relations | 3 |
| POL 161 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| AND one of the following: | ||
| POL 221 | American Political Theory | 3 |
| POL 226 | European Political Theory I | 3 |
| POL 126H | European Political Theory I - Honors | 3 |
| POL 227H | European Political Theory II - Honors | 3 |
| Elective Political Science Courses | ||
| Six courses/eighteen credits from all POL courses | ||
|
Institutional Learning Outcome (ILO) |
Courses |
|
ILO 1: Creative and Reflective Capacities (3 credits) Openness to new ideas, integrative and reflective thinking, investigation, and synthesis of existing knowledge as a way of creating, appreciating, and reflecting on original, innovative work grounded in scientific, humanistic, historical, and/or aesthetic disciplinary knowledge. |
ART 101: Introduction to Art ART 105: Introduction to Beginning Drawing ART 106: 3D Visualization and Production ART 131: Pottery and Ceramic Sculpture I CIN/FIL 109: Screenwriting II CIN 111: History of World Cinema CMA 109: Media Arts and Technology DNC 108: History of Dance ENG 167: Creativity and Nature ENG 182: Introduction to Creative Writing ENG 183: Creative Non-Fiction JOU 110: Journalism, Media and You MA 109: Media Arts and Technology MUS 101: Introduction to Musical Concepts MUS 102: Music Fundamentals MUS 110: Introduction to World Music PHI 172: Philosophy and the Mind SPE/ORC 105: Public Speaking THE 100: Introduction to Drama THE 111: The Art of Theatre THE 143: Shakespeare in Performance THE 193: Theatre Research/Performance |
|
ILO 2: Historical and Intercultural Awareness (6 credits) Recognition of oneself as a member of a global community consisting of diverse cultures with unique histories and geographies. |
History HIS 100: American Civilization to 1877 HIS 101: Perspectives on Premodern World History HIS 102: Perspectives on Modern World History HIS 108: American Civilization since 1877 Intercultural Awareness ANT #: Any Anthropology Course ART 104: Introduction to Visual Arts CIN 105: The Art of Documentary ENG 115: Global Literatures ENG 132: Shakespeare ENG 158: American Literature FRE 111: Introduction to French I FRE 112: Introduction to French II GGR 102: Geography and the Global Citizen HIS 144: Topics in Asian History HIS 157: Topics in Latin American History ITL 111: Introduction to Italian I ITL 112: Introduction to Italian II MUS 103: Music in Western Civilization MUS 146: History of Hip Hop MUS 147: History of Rock Music MUS 159: History of Country Music PHI 170: Philosophies of Love and Sex POL 150: International Relations POL 161: Introduction to Comparative Politics SPA 111: Introduction to Spanish I SPA 112: Introduction to Spanish II SOC 103: Gender and Sexual Diversity SOC 135: Global Cultures SOC 165: Culture and Society SOC 103: Gender and Sexual Diversity SOC 165: Culture and Society SPE 100: Oral Communication THE 142: Modern Theatre History |
|
ILO 3: Quantitative and Scientific Reasoning (7-8 credits) Competence in interpreting numerical and scientific data in order to draw conclusions, construct meaningful arguments, solve problems, and gain a better understanding of complex issues within a discipline or in everyday contexts. |
Scientific Reasoning AST 109/109A: Introductory Astronomy I AST 110/110A: Introductory Astronomy II BIO 120/120L: General Biology I BIO 124/124L: Foundations of Biology I BIO 125/125L: The Science of Sustainability BIO 126/126L: DNA and Human Life BIO 137/137L: Human Anatomy and Physiology I CHM 101/101L: Chemistry for Health Science I CHM 103/103L: Principles of Chemistry I ERS 101/101L: Weather and Climate ERS 102/102L: Planet Earth ERS 103/103L: Oceanography ERS 125/125L: Environmental Sustainability Science FSC 100/100L: Introduction to Forensic Chemistry PHY 103: University Physics I PHY 104: University Physics II PHY 120/120L: The Physical Universe PHY 127/127L: Physics for Pharmacy PHY 131/131L: General Physics I PHY 131/131L: College Physics I PHY 132/132L: General Physic II PHY 132/132L: College Physics II Quantitative Reasoning MTH #: Any Mathematics Course |
|
ILO 4: Oral and Written Communication (6 credits) Knowledge and skill in exchanging informed and well-reasoned ideas in effective and meaningful ways through a range of media to promote full understanding for various purposes, among different audiences and in a variety of contexts and disciplines. |
Written Communication ENG 110: Writing I – Composition and Analysis ENG 111: Writing II – Research and Argumentation |
|
ILO 5: Information and Technological Literacies (3 credits) Ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and effectively and responsibly use and share that information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills. |
CGPH 126: Web Design for Everyone EDI 100: Contemporary Issues in Education ENG 148: Ideas and Themes n Literature ENG 173: Writing in the Community ENG 175: Writing in the Professions ENG 178: Writing in the Sciences HIS 107: Engaging the Past HIS 190: Research Problems in History POL 100: Research Problems in Political Science SOC 102: Social Problems SOC 148: Medical Sociology SOC 148: Sociology of Health and Illness |
|
ILO 6: Critical Inquiry and Analysis (3 credits) Reflective assessment and critique of evidence, applying theory, and practicing discernment in the analysis of existing ideas and in the production of new knowledge across a broad array of fields or disciplines. |
ENG 103: Grammar and the Structure of English ENG 112: World Literatures I ENG 113: World Literatures II ENG 140: Introduction to Literature ENG 180: Literary Genres FRE 100: French Cinema GGR 101: The Geography of Sustainable Development HIS 104: Topics in American History HIS 120: Topics in Medieval History HIS 164: History of Gender and Sexuality HIS 167: History of Science and Technology PHI 100: Beginning Philosophy PHI 163: Philosophy of Art PHI 179: Social and Political Philosophy POL 147: Political Psychology POL 156: Diplomacy and Negotiation PSY 103: General Psychology PSY 111: Psychological Perspectives on Teaching and Learning SOC 100: Introduction to Sociology SOC 112: Gender, Race and Ethnicity SOC 126: Sociology of Gender SOC 161: Sociology of Sport |
|
ILO 7: Ethical Reasoning and Civic Engagement (3 credits) Evaluation of ethical issues in conduct and thinking, development of ethical self-awareness, consideration of various perspectives, and responsible and humane engagement in local and global communities. |
ART 177: High Impact Art CIN/FIL 103: Major Forces in the Cinema ECO 101: Microeconomics ECO 102: Macroeconomics ENG 150: Empathy and Literature HIS 116: History of Race and Society HIS 158: History of Politics and Power PHI 105: Bioethics PHI 113: Philosophy and Film PHY 178: Ethics and Society POL 101: Introduction to Political Science POL 102: Introduction to American Politics POL 123: Political Parties and Public Opinion SOC 108: Sociology of Youth SOC 109: Social Movements and Change SOC 110: Human Rights and Social Justice SOC 119: Sociology of the Family SOC 122: American Social Problems/Global Context SPA 105: The Hispanic World |
Courses
POL 100 Research Problems in Political Science
This course may be taken more than once by Political Science majors.
Credits: 1 to 3
On Occasion
POL 101 Introduction to Political Science
This course is an analysis of the nature of the state, political power, law sovereignty and political ideologies. The stress is on analysis of contemporary concepts.
Credits: 3
Every Fall, Spring and Summer
POL 102 Introduction to American Politics
This course introduces the study of the Constitutional structure, major functions and operations of the national government.
Credits: 3
Every Fall, Spring and Summer
POL 147 Political Psychology
This course is an analysis of the relationship between psychological phenomena and the formation, maintenance and transformation of political beliefs and behavior.
Credits: 3
On Occasion
POL 150 International Relations
This course considers the development and characteristics of relations among states, national policy, sources of strength and weaknesses in the policies of states, actual and potential importance of areas of the world in determining the course of world events. Must be taken by all Political Science majors.
Credits: 3
Every Fall
POL 156 World Politics Conflict Resolution
This course examines the techniques of diplomacy and negotiation used to resolve conflict in world politics. Students will examine the nature of world politics and its challenges, including the causes and resolution of wars; the role of individuals, states and international organizations; the nature and exercise of power; and governmental cooperation in addressing global and regional problems such as environmental destruction, poverty, disease and underdevelopment, civil conflict and violations of human rights.
Credits: 3
Annually
POL 161 Introduction to Comparative Politics
This course is a comparative analysis of government and politics in selected state systems in the contemporary global community.
Credits: 3
Every Fall and Spring
POL 215 Introduction to Research and Writing in Political Science
This course will help students develop their skills in the field of political science. Students will develop their ability to read and analyze different types of literature in the discipline and they will learn to use and evaluate these sources in order to answer research questions.
Pre requisite of POL 1 or POL 102 is required
Credits: 3
Annually
POL 221 American Political Theory
Origin and nature of political theory in the United States is reflected in the writings of American political theorists from colonial times to the present. Must be taken by all Political Science majors.
Credits: 3
Every Fall
POL 226 European Political Theory I
The nature of man, the state, government, law and the nature of political theory are seen through selected writings from Plato to Machiavelli. This course, or Political Science 27, must be taken by all Political Science majors.
Credits: 3
Alternate Years
POL 331 American Constitutional Law I
This course covers American constitutional law, its historical evolution and the Supreme Court as a political institution. Emphasis is placed on civil rights and civil liberties.
Credits: 3
Every Fall
POL 332 American Constitutional Law II
This course covers American Constitutional law, its historical evolution and the Supreme Court as a political institution. Attention is given to federal courts and the law, the federal system, powers of the various branches of government, economic regulation and taxation.
Credits: 3
Every Spring
POL 333 Law and Film
This course uses films to illuminate themes that are central to our understanding of law and judicial politics. These themes include the relationship between law and justice, the ways in which law is practiced and taught, and the role that courts and trials play in a political system.
Credits: 3
On Occasion
POL 335 The American Judicial Process
This course covers the structure and function of judicial systems; organization, administration, and politics of judicial bureaucracies; roles of judges, juries, counsel, litigants and interest groups in the adjudication process.
Credits: 3
On Occasion
POL 345 U.S. National Security
This course evaluates the area of U.S. national security with emphasis on military and strategic problems during the Cold War and Post-Cold War eras; defense policy-making; conventional and nuclear dimensions of defense issues; and strategic interests of the United States around the world.
Credits: 3
On Occasion
POL 347 American Foreign Policy II
This course covers contemporary issues in the formulation and implementation of American foreign policy.
Credits: 3
On Occasion
POL 356 World Affairs since 1945
This course studies the impact of World War II upon the state system, the cold war and the development of bipolar international politics, the United Nations as an instrument for international order and security, the decline of the colonial system and the emergence of new states, development of the People's Republic of China and Western Europe as new power centers.
Credits: 3
On Occasion
POL 361 Modern China: Political Doctrines and Society
The influence of political thought on societal change in modern China from the late Imperial Period to the present is examined.
Credits: 3
On Occasion
POL 362 Research Seminar in International Studies
This course is a study of a major current problem of an international nature. The roots of the conflict, its historical development, the viewpoints of the various parties involved, its proposed solutions and its international implications are analyzed and evaluated. The topic for in-depth research varies each time the course is offered.
Credits: 3
On Occasion
POL 365 Politics of the European Union
This course covers the history, institutions and selected policies of the European Union.
Credits: 3
On Occasion
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