|
|
2014-2015 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Political Science, B.A.
|
|
 Return to: Departments, Majors, Concentratons
Political Science
Member of the Division of Social Studies
Chair(s):
Barbara Trish
Faculty:
Leif Brottem
Robert Grey - Senior Faculty Status
Rebecca Hamlin
Doug Hess
Danielle Lussier
Wayne Moyer
Gemma Sala
Eliza Willis
Political science courses focus on how societies make decisions affecting the lives of their citizens. Questions raised by political science include: Who has power, how is it acquired, and how is it used? What produces stability and what produces change in societies? What is political leadership, and what forces shape the relations between leaders and the led? How do societies utilize their governments to deal with basic problems? Political science offers students both a grasp of the various answers provided for these questions and a sophisticated sense of how to choose among these answers.
Since a core of central questions is common to virtually all the department’s courses, students of political science are expected to begin with the introductory course, POL 101 , in which these questions are pointedly raised. This course provides the necessary background for further work in various subfields of the discipline: American politics, comparative politics, and international politics.
Political science majors should take statistics and other courses from across the curriculum to enhance their understanding of the politicial world. Appropriate internships, research projects and experiences off campus enrich the major.
Recent graduates in political science have undertaken careers in a number of different fields, including law, journalism, teaching and business. Work in politics and public policy - in government, policy and electoral campaigns, and NGOs - in both domestic and international realms is especially attractive to majors in political science.
|
Major Requirements: A minimum of 32 credits
Required are: POL 101 (4 credits) and one course in each of the following areas: American Politics: 4 credits
Comparative Politics: 4 credits
International Politics: 4 credits
Additional requirements
- 8 credits must be taken at the 300-level after having completed the appropriate 200-level prerequisite.
- Preferably students will complete all of their 200-level work before undertaking 300-level courses, so students should try to reserve 300-level work for third and fourth years.
- In addition to the required 32 credits, students are required to take statistics (MAT 115 , SST 115 , or MAT 209 )
- With permission, up to eight of the 32 credits may be taken in related studies, at the 200-level or above, outside the department.
Note:
* Varying content requires permission from the Department to count this course toward distribution in American Politics. Similarly, content determines whether or not the course will serve as a prerequiste for the 300-level courses required for the major.
Schedule of Prerequisites:
A given 200-level course can be used as a prerequisite for only one of the two 300-level courses required for the major. Honors
To be considered for honors in political science, graduating seniors, in addition to meeting the College’s general requirements for honors, must achieve a G.P.A. of 3.75 in the major and a G.P.A. of 3.6 overall. Political Science Courses
Political Science Course Descriptions
|
Return to: Departments, Majors, Concentratons
|
|
