To develop students with the traditional liberal arts skills: to read and analyze challenging material within their discipline, to write coherently, and to articulate their views competently. Through this preparation, our students will have the skills to pursue graduate study in various fields or to enter the job market successfully.
The department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in politics that consists of a minimum of 36 hours of course-work as distributed below. Internships do not apply to the 36 hour minimum.
Because no common core of specific content knowledge is expected, each student through the individual course curriculum that she selects will pursue a somewhat different path. However, whatever the mix of specific study in the various areas and subfields of political science that she follows, she will develop the liberal arts skills designated in the department mission statement. We trust that each student enhances her capabilities in the learning outcomes as she gains experience through completion of individual courses. The department’s assessment of the fulfillment of the learning outcomes resides in the Senior Capstone Seminar in which each student is expected to validate that she can:
Consistent with the emphasis on preparing students for graduate study in a diverse array of fields or for success in whatever vocational fields that they pursue, a secondary identification that reflects that the department’s mission statement is being achieved is the annual record of our students’ post undergraduate accomplishments. Traditionally our majors have pursued law, international diplomacy, public policy, public administration, business, teaching at the secondary or college levels, the nonprofit sector, library science, and many other fields too numerous to list. The department maintains records of the next step in the life process for each member of each graduating class of majors.
The General Education Program is a requirement for all degrees. The requirements listed below are approved for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Fine Arts.
| ENG 101 | 3 hours |
| Language and Culture | 9 hours |
| MTH 108 or higher | 3 hours |
| One course designated as Quantitative reasoning | 3–4 hours |
| Health and Well-being Wellness | 2 hours |
| Activity course | 1–2 hours |
| Humanities | 6 hours |
| Literature | 3 hours |
| Fine Arts | 6 hours |
| Natural Science | 7–8 hours |
| Social Science | 6 hours |
| Total | 49–52 hours |
Graduation requirements but not a separate course:
A survey of policy-making, institutions and controversial issues in American National Government. Offered annually. If offered in Jan term, 4 credit course. The department accepts AP credit. AP hours do not count toward the minimum hours for a major or minor.
An introduction to foreign affairs and current world events. Special attention is given to the Post-Cold War, Middle East conflicts and Third World issues. Offered annually. Non-European/non-Anglophone.
This course is team taught by members in two departments and is open to Nisbet Honors Program participants and to others who meet Honors Program guidelines. All students registering for these courses must register not only through the Honors Program but also with their adviser and the Registrar’s Office.
POL 101.
This is a course on political violence and genocide in the 20th century as depicted in film. This course focuses on very disturbing material, including institutional, personal, sexual, and other forms of violence.
Obviously, it is not for those who cannot handle this excessive violence.
A course in methodology, research, and writing for history and politics majors. Cross- listed with HST 480. Offered on demand. Capstone. A student must have a 2.0 GPA in the major to enroll in this course.
An independent course of study on selected topics. Offered on demand.
Permission of instructor.
Preparation for and participation in Model NATO by members of the Converse delegation. Offered annually during Jan or Spring Term.
A program of work in the office of a US Senator or Representative. Interested students should see the instructor early in the Fall Term. Pass/fail grading.
POL 101 completed with B- or better or POL 101 completed with a C- or better AND a B- or better in a 300 or 400 level National Affairs course; 2.5 GPA; consent of instructor.
A program of work in the office of a state legislator. Interested students should see the instructor early in the Fall Term. Offered Jan Term. Pass/fail grading.
POL 101 completed with B- or better or POL 101 completed with a C- or better AND a B- or better in a 300 or 400 level National Affairs course; 2.5 GPA; consent of instructor.
Work in a public agency or in a private organization with an interest in public policy. Interested students should see the instructor early in the fall term to arrange proper placement. Offered Jan Term. Pass/fail grading.
POL 101 completed with B- or better or POL 101 completed with a C- or better AND a B- or better in a 300 or 400 level National Affairs course; one other relevant course as approved by the instructor; 2.5 GPA; consent of instructor.
A program of work in a local law office. Interested students should see the instructor early in the fall term to arrange proper placement. Offered Jan Term. Pass/fail grading.
POL 101 completed with a B- or better, OR POL 101 completed with a C- or better AND a B- or better in a 300 or 400 level National Affairs course; 2.5 GPA; consent of instructor or recommendation of a pre-law adviser.
