Political Science (BA)

Program Requirements

I. Required courses — 25 Credits

II. Advanced Content — 15 Credits

Electives may include any two of the following

III. Capstone & Internship — 6 Credits

Additional Program Requirements

* Only three credits of internship are required to fulfill the requirement. Further internship credits will not be substituted for electives vis-à-vis completion of the political science major.

No grade less than C- will be counted towards the major. Double-counting is managed with your advisor.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completing a major in political science, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate reasonable competence vis-a-vis political science concepts/theories/systems and use that competence to complete their capstone experience. (Perception)
2. Use critical thinking skills, analyze information or data, construct valid, sound, and meaningful conclusions, and employ those skills in their capstone experience. (Analyze)
3. Employ effective, persuasive, and professional communication in person, on paper, and online readying them for employment and careers. (Communication)

Career Opportunities

The Political Science Program offers an undergraduate degree in political science for students preparing for graduate degrees in related fields, professional degrees (law or business), a wide range of public service occupations (local, state, federal, or Foreign offices), or countless posts in organizations seeking to influence public policy. The degree also serves the liberal arts students interested in an undergraduate major that focuses on challenging questions facing modern society. Students may emphasize the subfields of American government, comparative government, international politics, political philosophy, and public policy.

The Discipline

Political science is the study of power and how human beings organize their public life. Political science majors typically leave their undergraduate education prepared to enter graduate study, law school, business careers, and a host of other opportunities. Oftentimes, political science majors serve their nations and the world through government service. They learn valued skills, such as qualitative and quantitative analysis, written and oral communication, and critical thinking and graduate prepared to work and serve in a rapidly changing world.

Politics embraces more than the immediate concerns of politicians or pollsters. It involves fundamental choices concerning life in our communities - whether local, national, or global. Politics also allows humans to build order and peace from chaos and conflict. Indeed, prosperity and fulfillment require a healthy political life - one that reflects our basic needs and interests, our highest aspirations, and balances the harsh requirements of power.

Political science involves a full range of inquiry, addressing questions such as: “Who gets what?” “What is a just political order?” and “Why is it so often abused?” The discipline utilizes methods ranging from statistical analysis to input historical comparison. To develop skills in these methods, political science students reflect on influential and time-tested texts while also exploring cutting-edge theories. Political science students also examine issues such as campaign finance reform and engage in debates and the value of international organizations in the Pacific. Students also study events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and phenomena such as the rise of global terrorism. Political science students also examine key ethical questions and can thus explain intelligently whether or not the Athenians were justified in condemning Socrates to death.

Since we are all significantly shaped by the assumptions and practices of the institutions we inhabit, political science helps us to understand not only our world but also ourselves. If we choose to ignore politics, it doesn’t go away; we just lose the opportunity to influence our communities for the better.