Skip to main content

Political Science

Political Science is the study of government and public policy and of the political behavior of individuals, groups, and institutions. Political Science provides an understanding of issues such as international diplomacy, environmental, economic, and health care policy, and election campaigns.

Concentration Requirements

At least 3 credits beyond the freshman level must be completed in each of the areas below.

Comparative Political Systems: Includes country-specific, comparative political systems and political development courses  3 cr
International Relations: Includes courses in international relations, international law and organizations, conflict and peace studies, political economy and American or comparative foreign policy 3 cr
Political Theory: Includes courses in political thought, theory and
philosophy.
 3 cr
Methodology: Includes courses in political or social science research methodology. Courses in econometrics or sociological research may apply to this category. (Some courses in methodology are listed at the introductory level. Those courses should apply to this category.) 3 cr
United States Government: Includes courses in public policy, political organization, and state and local government. 3 cr
Electives:Includes courses and/or tests in any of the above-mentioned areas or in related subject areas. 18 cr
POL 499: Capstone 3 cr

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a concentration in Political Science will be able to:

  1. explain the role of societal values in politics and the policy making process;
  2. explain the dynamics of power and politics in the domestic and global contexts;
  3. demonstrate knowledge of the subspecialties of political science: International Relations, American Government, Political Theory, State and Local Government, Public Administration, Comparative Politics, Constitutional Law, Political Science Methodology, etc.;
  4. analyze the links between politics, values, and policy outcomes;
  5. analyze the fundamentals of politics, political processes and political problems and patterns, such as inequality, group conflict, institutional failure, war, international conflict, terrorism, etc.;
  6. identify levels of analysis and actors involved in government and politics;
  7. identify and evaluate relations among political, economic, and social systems; and
  8. conduct research using methods appropriate to the discipline; and
  9. synthesize their learning of the concentration through a research paper, project, portfolio, or practicum.

Political Science

Political Science is the study of government and public policy and of the political behavior of individuals, groups, and institutions. Political Science provides an understanding of issues such as international diplomacy, environmental, economic, and health care policy, and election campaigns.

Concentration Requirements

At least 3 credits beyond the freshman level must be completed in each of the areas below.

Comparative Political Systems: Includes country-specific, comparative political systems and political development courses  3 cr
International Relations: Includes courses in international relations, international law and organizations, conflict and peace studies, political economy and American or comparative foreign policy 3 cr
Political Theory: Includes courses in political thought, theory and
philosophy.
 3 cr
Methodology: Includes courses in political or social science research methodology. Courses in econometrics or sociological research may apply to this category. (Some courses in methodology are listed at the introductory level. Those courses should apply to this category.) 3 cr
United States Government: Includes courses in public policy, political organization, and state and local government. 3 cr
Electives:Includes courses and/or tests in any of the above-mentioned areas or in related subject areas. 18 cr
POL 499: Capstone 3 cr

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a concentration in Political Science will be able to:

  1. explain the role of societal values in politics and the policy making process;
  2. explain the dynamics of power and politics in the domestic and global contexts;
  3. demonstrate knowledge of the subspecialties of political science: International Relations, American Government, Political Theory, State and Local Government, Public Administration, Comparative Politics, Constitutional Law, Political Science Methodology, etc.;
  4. analyze the links between politics, values, and policy outcomes;
  5. analyze the fundamentals of politics, political processes and political problems and patterns, such as inequality, group conflict, institutional failure, war, international conflict, terrorism, etc.;
  6. identify levels of analysis and actors involved in government and politics;
  7. identify and evaluate relations among political, economic, and social systems; and
  8. conduct research using methods appropriate to the discipline; and
  9. synthesize their learning of the concentration through a research paper, project, portfolio, or practicum.