Political Science, B.A.

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.