Majors and minors include but are not limited to: Political Science, Pre-Law, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership
Political Science:
The scientific study of government and of leadership and decision making in public institutions.
Mission:
Achieve leadership ability to get people to work together to achieve a common goal.
Why Political Science?
Sound preparation for students planning post graduate study in law or public administration and careers working in the public sector.
What you will gain:
Teaches you how governing institutions work and the skills to be effective working in them.
Success:
Political Science graduates have been successful at competitive law schools and graduate programs.
5 Hot Job Outlooks:
- Campaign Manager
- Intelligence Agent
- Lobbyist
- Policy Researcher
- Political Advisor
Requirements
Click on the course names below to view a description.
Core
U.S. National Goverment
Analysis of the national political system, the Constitution and the effects of values, pressure groups, parties and voters on the organizations, behavior and decisions of Congress, the President and the courts.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Introduction to World Affairs
Current world affairs problems with emphasis on their background, causes and alternative solutions, with special attention to the role of the United States in world affairs.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Introduction to International Relations
Nature and causes of wars, development of the state system, balance of power, collective security, and international law as approaches to peace, formulation and implementation of foreign policy, and problems of global interdependence.
Prerequisites: PS 103.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Public Administration
A study of policy implementation and evaluation that focuses on the leadership roles of bureaucrats, the political skills they need to manage the agency and work with external groups such as elected officials and clientele, and the politics of the implementation and evaluation process.
Prerequisites: PS 102.
Offered: every other spring.
Credits: 3.0
The Congress and the Presidency
A study of policy formulation and authorization that focuses on Presidential and congressional leadership roles, coalition building, and politics of legislative-executive relations in the policy-making process.
Prerequisites: PS 102.
Offered: every other spring.
Credits: 3.0
Political Philosophy
An examination of Western political thought from Plato and Aristotle to Marx and J.S. Mill. Special attention to the concepts of political authority, legitimacy, obligation, political education, virtue, rights, justice, equality, liberty, harm, and political goods.
Prerequisites: sophomore standing or consent of the instructor.
Offered: every other spring.
Credits: 3.0
Seminar I
Design and implementation of individual research in the field of political science.
Prerequisites: senior standing or departmental approval and SS 230 or concurrent enrollment.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 3.0
Seminar II
Continuation of PS 491. Completion and oral defense of senior thesis.
Prerequisites: PS 491.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
One course from the following:
Government and Politics in Advanced Democracies
An introduction to the comparative method and the comparative study of governments and politics of Western Europe and Japan, including approaches to public policy in advanced, industrialized nations.
Prerequisites: PS 102 or 103.
Offered: every other spring.
Credits: 3.0
Development in the Post-Colonial World
Analysis of the historical, political, and economic development in the Third World since 1945, focusing on the political and economic relations between the developed and less developed world.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every other fall.
Credits: 3.0
Introduction to Research Methods for the Social Sciences
An introduction to research methods used in the social sciences. The purpose of the course is to familiarize students with basic methods and techniques for designing, conducting, and analyzing research in the social sciences. Emphasis is on developing appropriate and researchable questions, reviewing the literature critically, planning cogent research, and interpreting data.
Prerequisites: sophomore standing or consent of the instructor.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Statistics for the Social Sciences
An introduction to and overview of parametric and nonparametric statistical methods commonly used in the social sciences for the analysis of data. Emphasis will be on data management, selection of appropriate analytical methods, and meaningful interpretation of statistics.
Prerequisites: MA 120 or MA 140 or proficiency or consent of the instructor.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: 3.0
Research Design for the Social Sciences
A review of a wide range of research designs and issues raised by questions of design. Purpose, quality, implications, sampling, identification of variables, selection of methods of data analysis, data collection, and broad conceptions of reliability and validity in research will be addressed. Emphasis is on the thorough and thoughtful planning of methodologically sound and empirically useful research in social science applications.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
Electives
Twelve hours from the following:
Any Political Science course.
Government, Business and Public Policy
Analysis of economic aspects of government regulation and direction of business enterprise; controls affecting managerial discretion in the determination of prices and other basic business policies. To include government taxation and spending; the logic of different tax policies; the effects of spending programs; public goods and income distribution.
Prerequisites: EC 200, 202, 242.
Offered: every other fall.
Credits: 3.0
Internship
Internships involve working and learning experiences off campus. Each student’s program is developed according to established College guidelines under the sponsorship of a faculty member.
Prerequisites: junior standing or above. Not open to any student who is on academic, disciplinary, or Work Program probation.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: 3.0