Donald Rodgers, Chair
The political science program is designed to introduce the students to the basic theoretical and philosophical tenets of politics; to provide the opportunities to gain practical research experience using contemporary techniques of political analysis; to help the students gain a better perspective of the American political system in an international context; and to provide background training for such professional fields as law, policy research, teaching, journalism, management, and government service.
The political science program provides students with an understanding of the great issues of politics in a rapidly changing international environment. Employing historical, comparative, philosophical, legal, and experiential approaches to the study of politics, the department places heavy emphasis on student mastery of factual information, critical thinking skills, and effective writing and speaking skills.
A major in political science consists of at least eight course credit units in political science, including Political Science 495, and at least one course from each of the following groups:
- American politics — Political Science 110, 212, 310, 311, 313, 315, 317, 318, 410;
- international relations and comparative politics — Political Science 130, 140, 230, 235, 240, 241, 242, 330, 332, 335, 340, 345, 430, 432, 440;
- political theory — Political Science 120, 220, 420, 425, 428.
At least three courses must be numbered 300 or above.
A major in international relations allows students to specialize within the subfield of international relations while still completing a major that is firmly grounded within the broader discipline of political science. The major consists of at least eight course credit units in political science, including Political Science 430 and Political Science 495, at least four electives in the subfields of international relations and/or comparative politics (at least two of the four must be numbered 300 or above), at least one course each from the American politics and political theory subfields, and study in a modern language through the 236 level. See more about International Relations.
A minor in political science consists of at least five course credit units in political science, including at least one course from each of the above subfields. A minimum of two courses must be at the 300 level or above.
