Political Science, B.A.

Location(s): Main Campus

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NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS OR INTERNAL TRANSFERS

Carlson Hall
Telephone: (203) 576-4209
Fax: (203) 576-4967

Curriculum and Program Requirements

The Political Science B.A./B.S. prepares students for careers and advanced studies in government, law, international affairs, public policy and administration, higher education, the media, and other professions that require an understanding of how governments work and interact with one another. Our majors explore questions about power, leadership, citizenship, and justice; and how all this impacts communities at the local, national, and global levels.

After taking Political Science 103, which introduces students to the field and methods of the discipline, students take a course in each of the following subfields of political science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Upon completion of these core courses, students can individually tailor and specialize their training by focusing on a particular subfield and developing an independent research project, placement in an internship or volunteer experience relevant to their specialization (law firm or government agency, for example), and develop greater intercultural understanding and cultural competency through study abroad.

The skills and training our majors acquire prepare them for a wide range of careers. Our graduates accept positions with governments, international and non-governmental organizations, think tanks, international finance groups, multinational corporations, and law firms. Many pursue further study in fields such as law and public and international affairs at highly competitive universities. Others take on leadership and service roles in government and the non-profit sector to better their local communities.

Learning Outcomes

The B.A. and B. S. in Political Science have the following learning outcomes:

The Political Science major targets the development of key skills required not only for success in the major and throughout a student’s academic career, but in their professional development and career:

clear and effective oral and written communication, including effective presentation skills and the ability to write in multiple formats;
critical thinking and analysis, including information literacy and the ability to critically evaluate evidence, data, news coverage, and sources;
the ability to initiate, develop, and conduct independent research;
active, creative, and innovative problem solving through group work and applications of technology;
practical work experience and opportunities to build professional networks; and
cultural competency through language training, study abroad, and courses that promote greater intercultural understanding for an increasingly diverse, international, and multicultural workplace

Our majors have the opportunity to take classes across multiple disciplines in an invigorating, diverse, and multicultural learning community. We also offer a unique course in which students can learn about American and local state and city politics with classes co-taught with elected officials and community leaders. Our program also hopes to foster responsible citizenship and leadership locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Political Science B.A./B.S. requires 39 semester credit hours including 21 credit hours in the program core, 18 credit hours of Political Science electives, and 18 credit hours in one of the following minors: International Political Economy and Diplomacy, Mass Communications, or Criminal Justice. Students who do not want to take one of three minors may take an additional 18 credit hours of Political Science electives. The B.A. requires students to show modern language competency in either Arabic, Chinese, French, Japanese, Korean, Russian, or Spanish through the intermediate level (four semesters). Students are required to complete 120 credit hours to graduate.

Summary of Requirements

Program Core Courses (Required)

Requirements

Total Required Courses: 7 Credit(s)
Total Program Electives: 6 Credit(s)

Core Requirements - 21 Credit(s)

PSCI 103 - Introduction to Political Science 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 101 - American Government 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 204 - Government and Politics Abroad 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 207 - World Politics 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 323 - Classics in Political Theory 3 Credit(s)
SOSC 300 - Seminar in Social Science Methods 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 398 - Internship 6 Credit(s)
PSCI 395 - Senior Thesis 3 Credit(s) Satisfies CAPS 390 requirement for the Core Curriculum *
OR
IPED 395 - Senior Thesis Seminar 3 Credit(s) Satisfies CAPS 390 requirement for the Core Curriculum *

Political Science Electives - 18 Credit(s)

Any six of the following:

PSCI 203 - U.S. Foreign Policy 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 208 - Public International Law 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 209 - Introduction to United Nations Studies 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 215 - International Human Rights 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 216 - Gender Politics from a Global Perspective 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 218 - Human Security 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 233 - An Introduction to the U.S. Legal System 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 303 - Political Economy of Latin America 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 312 - Diplomacy and Foreign Policy 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 343 - Constitutional Law 3 Credit(s)
PSCI 373 - Islam and Democracy 3 Credit(s)
IPED 321 - Political Economy of East Asia 3 Credit(s)
IPED 329 - Political Economy of China 3 Credit(s)
IPED 341 - Political Economy of Middle East 3 Credit(s)
IPED 345 - Political Economy of EU 3 Credit(s)

Foreign Language Requirement - 12 Credit(s)

B.A. Political Science majors are required to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language through an examination or the completion of a fourth-semester foreign language class. For students in the B.S. Political Science program, a demonstrated proficiency in a foreign language through an examination or the completion of a fourth-semester foreign language class is recommended. B.S. students who do not meet the foreign language requirement through examination or coursework will complete an additional 12 credits of liberal arts electives with the approval of the program chair.

Minor in International Political Economy and Diplomacy, Mass Communication, or Criminal Justice. Students who do not wish to minor in any of these three programs may take 6 additional courses in Political Science (18 Credits with a Grade of C or better).