Political Science majors
are required to complete a progression of increasingly challenging
and rewarding courses beginning at the Foundations level, proceeding
through the Intermediate and Advanced levels, and culminating
in a capstone experience. Courses at each level play a role in
broadening and deepening knowledge and further developing a student's
competencies. The curriculum reflects the Department’s commitment
to providing a rigorous and intellectually demanding program designed
to promote the College’s core values, especially academic
excellence.
The Political Science faculty
believe that students must be explicitly and formally trained
in research methodologies and techniques in order to participate
in the field beyond the basic level. Thus, the Department requires
that all of its majors complete a methods course at
the intermediate level. Finally, Political Science majors must
fulfill a number of College requirements prior to graduating.
These include a First Year course (which may or may not be a Political Science
course) as well as a number of offerings that satisfy the College’s
distribution, diversity and language requirements.
Major Concentration
A Political
Science major concentration normally consists of nine courses. Students creating a major plan might find the attached worksheet helpful in their efforts.
· 1
Foundations Course (Poli 100, 120, or 140);
· 1
course in Political Theory (Poli 160, 170, 260, or 262);
· 1
Research Methods Course (Poli 269--Empirical Research Methods or equivalent: Poli 272--Rhetoric and Social Change; Sociology
269--Science and Social Inquiry; Sociology 270--Interpretive Social Research; Sociology 275--Comparative-Historical Sociology) Other methods courses in the social sciences may be listed on the major plan pending approval by the Department Chair.
· 3
Intermediate-level Courses (students my substitute up to one
Foundations and one Advanced course for up to two of these Intermediate
courses);
· 1
Practicum (ie. an internship, service-learning course, action-research
project, or similar experiential learning experience);
· 1
Advanced-level Course; and
· 1
Capstone Experience
The
Capstone Experience Requirement in Political Science can be fulfilled
by completing:
- The
Senior Research Seminar (in the fall only)
- Completion of an Honors Project (accompanied by 2 semesters of Honors Colloquim)
The Department
recommends that Political Science majors plan their programs so
that they have some exposure above the introductory level to at
least two of the four major sub-fields of political science.
Not more than 2 courses taught by faculty outside the Political Science Department
will count towards the major in meeting the 9 course minimum. Exceptions: the research methods courses, Professor Roopali Phadke's courses, or courses transferred from a previous college or university. Consult with the Chair of the department with questions.
Minor
Concentration
A minor concentration
consists of any five Political Science courses, normally including
one Foundations, one Intermediate, and one Advanced course. Consult
department advisers and the Chair.
Not more than 1 course taught by faculty outside the Political Science Department
will count towards the minor in meeting the 5 course minimum. Exceptions: the research methods courses, Professor Roopali Phadke's courses, or courses transferred from a previous college or university. Consult with the Chair of the department with questions.
Curricular
"Pathways"
Beyond the Foundations and Methods requirements, some students
may want to pursue coursework largely within a single “pathway.”
For example, a student might design a major program weighted towards
courses from any one of the major subfields in political science—comparative
politics, international relations, political theory, or US politics—or
from a narrower specialization, such as public policy, public
law, gender, sexuality, and politics, or the politics of race
and ethnicity. Below, we have organized Political Science courses
by track. We have also listed offerings in other departments that
might be included in a major plan or taken as an elective in order
to broaden or deepen your knowledge and skills in this area. These
listings do not exhaust the possibilities, since many courses
are offered as "Topics" courses only periodically. more
