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Political ScienceFull Time Faculty: Franklin Adler, David Blaney, Adrienne Christiansen (Chair), Julie Dolan, Paul Dosh, Andrew Latham, Patrick Schmidt, Paru Shah Part Time Faculty: Chuck Green, Binnur Ozkececi-Tanner, Roopali Phadke (Environmental Studies), Ahmed Samatar (International Studies), Wendy Weber, Michael Zis The study of political science at Macalester emphasizes making connections between the theory and practice of politics. Concerns range from perennial philosophical or normative issues regarding power, justice, freedom, human dignity and social responsibility to practical political matters such as policy making and public problem solving. The political science department seeks to cultivate in its students a wide range of practical and scholarly competencies, including several we consider to be centrally important. First, the department seeks to help its majors develop a mature political imagination . By this we mean a capacity to approach important social problems and issues as a political scientist. A mature political imagination includes an ability to envision what constitutes an important political question/issue; to understand the various ways in which a political scientist might address such a question/issue; to conduct social inquiry into that question/issue employing methodologies and techniques appropriate to political scientists; to recognize the partiality of political science questions, explanations and forms of social inquiry and the importance of insights from other disciplines; and an ability to think creatively about humane solutions to the political problems and challenges confronting the world today. Second, the department seeks to cultivate in its majors specific knowledge competencies . These include both a sound understanding of the universe of facts relevant and necessary to the study of political life (including a working knowledge of the key actors, structures, institutions and historical dynamics that constitute the contemporary political order) and a well-developed understanding of the major theoretical trends, perspectives, concerns and debates that have shaped the evolution of the discipline and/or its sub-disciplines over the past several centuries. Political science graduates should be able to engage the world — whether as political scholars or political actors—with a degree of theoretical sophistication and confidence. Third, the department seeks to cultivate in its majors a range of cognitive or intellectual competencies. These include a well-developed ability to think conceptually, critically, synthetically, analytically, and rigorously about the world of politics. The political science faculty believes that the development of these higher-order cognitive skills is at the core of the department's collective endeavors. Fourth, the department seeks to help political science majors develop a number of practical competencies, including: Finally, the department believes that educational excellence in political science should not only involve the development of intellectual capacities, but also the civic competencies required for humane leadership in a multicultural and globalizing world. Cultivating a capacity for effective civic engagement/leadership is central to the goals of a first-class political science program. General Distribution RequirementAll courses in the political science department count toward the general distribution requirement in the social sciences except for the following: topics courses (194, 294, 394, 494), internships and preceptorships (624, 634). General Education RequirementsCourses that meet the general education requirements in writing, quantitative thinking, internationalism and multiculturalism will be posted on the Registrar's web page in advance of registration for each semester. Additional information regarding the general distribution requirement and the general education requirements can be found in the graduation requirements section of this catalog. Major ConcentrationA political science major consists of at least nine courses. The department strongly recommends that political science majors plan their programs so that they take courses above the introductory level in at least two of the four major sub-fields of political science—American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Not more than two courses taught by faculty outside the political science department will count towards the major in meeting the nine course minimum. Exceptions: the research methods courses, Political Science 215, 235, 246, and 252, or relevant courses transferred from an accredited college or university. Consult department advisor or chair. The requirements for a political science major include: Minor ConcentrationA minor concentration consists of any five political science courses, normally including one foundation, one intermediate and one advanced level course. Four of these courses must be taught by the faculty in the political science department. Consult department advisors and chair. Honors ProgramInterested political science juniors with a GPA of 3.5 or better overall and 3.7 or better in political science may participate in the department's Honors Program. This program is designed to provide majors with an opportunity to pursue in-depth research on a significant political science topic. The principal elements of the honors program are: (a) filing a declaration of intent to pursue a project; (b) completion of a research proposal submitted to the political science faculty; (c) successful oral defense of the research proposal in front of the political science faculty;(d) participation in the department's Honors Colloquium (404) in both semesters of the senior year; (e) enrolling in at least two credits of Honors Independent Study (644)in both semesters of the Senior year; (f)completing a major work of scholarly research and writing;(g)oral defense of the thesis. Please see our website for a thorough explanation of the honors program including important dates. http://www.macalester.edu/politicalscience/curriculum/honors_program.htm Interdisciplinary ProgramsThe political science department supports a number of interdisciplinary programs, including: American studies, Asian studies, humanities, media and cultural studies, international studies, Latin American studies, legal studies, environmental studies, women's, gender, and sexuality studies, and urban studies. Consult both program and departmental advisors. Student-Faculty Collaborative Research ProgramThe department's Student-Faculty Collaborative Research Program allows select political science majors to work closely with faculty members on faculty-initiated research projects. These students support faculty work by conducting substantive, directed research on a particular aspect of the faculty advisor's scholarly project, meeting frequently with the advisor to discuss progress and future directions for the project. Topics Courses194, 294, 394, 494 Courses numbered 194, 294, 394, and 494 are Topics courses. These courses address current issues in contemporary political life or offer an experimental course which may later become part of the regular curriculum. For a list of offerings in any given year, consult the College website prior to registration. (4 credits)
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