MAJOR AND MINOR REQUIREMENTS

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 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 theoretical sophistication and confidence.

Third, the department seeks to cultivate in its majors a range of cognitive or intellectual compentencies. 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 comprises the core of the department's collective endeavors.

Fourth, the department seeks to help political science majors develop a number of practical competencies, including:

• a capacity for close, focused, and critical reading of political texts;
• an ability to convey information, analysis and persuasive arguments in written and oral forms clearly and effectively;
• a well-developed capacity for democratic deliberation;
• a level of numeracy appropriate to a student's research interests and the demands of contemporary poltical life;
• an ability to conduct sound and rigorous social inquiry using appropriate methodologies and techniques;
• a capacity for effective collaboration with others;
• a capacity for effective problem-solving;
• a facility with relevant information technologies.

Major Concentration

A 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 subfields of political science - American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Not more that two courses taught by faculty outside the political science department will count towards the major in meeting the nince 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:

• 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 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.

Honor Program

Interested 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 principle 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 in both semesters of the senior year; (e) enrolling in at least two credits of Honors Independent Study in both semesters of Senior year; (f) completing a major work of scholarly research and writing; (g) public oral defense of the thesis. Please see our website for a thorough explanation of the honors program including important dates.