Political Science, B.A.

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Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a major in Political Science will:

Demonstrate knowledge of the field.
1. Know the fundamentals of democratic theory and other philosophical approaches to politics
2. Understand the interplay among and relationship between political institutions in the United States
3. Become familiar with key influences on voting and political behavior
4. Learn how to compare and evaluate competing political systems
5. Plan and execute an original research paper on a major question in political science
Think critically.
1. Participate in thoughtful and challenging classroom discussions
2. Consider different perspectives through course readings
Demonstrate writing skills.
1. Demonstrate proficiency in writing critical book reviews
2. Demonstrate proficiency in writing term papers centered on big questions within respective courses
Integrate faith with the principles of Political Science.
1. Develop a theological approach to politics
Demonstrate research skills.
1. Plan and execute an original paper
2. Show competency in research methods and design, drawing from both qualitative and quantitative approaches
Be prepared for post-graduate study.
1. Consider applying to graduate/law school programs after graduation

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree with major in Political Science

University Core Curriculum - 39 hours

Program requirements satisfy 9 of the 48 hours in the Core Curriculum.

Six hours of the Social and Behavioral Sciences elective area are satisfied by two of the following: POL 1013 , POL 3163 , POL 3173 , POL 3213 , POL 3353 , POL 3453 , POL 4213 , POL 4223 .
Three hours of the Arts and Humanities elective area are satisfied by POL 3003 .

Core Curriculum Courses

Courses Specified by the Department - 21 hours

POL 1013 American Government and Politics (On Campus and Online)
POL 2213 Comparative Politics (On Campus)
POL 3003 Political Philosophy (On Campus and Online)
POL 3213 Religion and Politics (On Campus and Online)
POL 3353 International Relations (On Campus)
POL 3393 Research Methods and Design (On Campus)
POL 4613 Research Seminar (On Campus)

Institutions - 3 hours

One of the following:

POL 3163 Law, Courts, and Politics (On Campus)
POL 3173 Congress and the American Presidency (On Campus)

Constitutional Law - 3 hours

One of the following:

POL 4213 Constitutional Law: Institutions and Powers (On Campus)
POL 4223 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (On Campus)

Political Science Major Electives - 9 hours

Choose three of the following:

COM 3453 Social Movements (On Campus and Online)
COM 4363 Political Communication (On Campus and Online)
POL 2170 Model United Nations (On Campus)
POL 2171 Model United Nations (On Campus)
POL 3163 Law, Courts, and Politics (On Campus) (may not be repeated for additional credit)
POL 3173 Congress and the American Presidency (On Campus) (may not be repeated for additional credit)
POL 3253 Politics and Race in America (On Campus)
POL 3453 Gender in American Politics (On Campus)
POL 4213 Constitutional Law: Institutions and Powers (On Campus) (may not be repeated for additional credit)
POL 4223 Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (On Campus) (may not be repeated for additional credit)
POL 4511 Independent Study in Political Science (On Campus)
POL 4512 Independent Study in Political Science (On Campus)
POL 4513 Independent Study in Political Science (On Campus)

Foreign Language - 12 hours

Six hours of LS-1000, LS-2000 level courses in the same language with six additional hours from LS-1000, LS-2000 level courses, BBL 2513 , BBL 2523 , BBL 3513 , or BBL 3523 ; or six hours of LS-2000 level courses