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Political Science

Political science studies the relationships between governments and individuals, group behaviors related to domestic and international conflict and cooperation; processes and parties involved in domestic policymaking; and issues and actors involved in the international environment. Political science also helps us understand what our rights and responsibilities are as citizens of our localities, states, countries, and the world. The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree presents students with an opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the dominant fields within the political science discipline. The degree prepares students for a wide spectrum of jobs in local, state, and federal governments; domestic and international nonprofit organizations; law, business, and journalism sectors, and educates them to become responsible and knowledgeable citizens.

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Political Science with an Emphasis in American Government / Public Administration

Political Science with an Emphasis in International Relations

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Pls 100: Introduction to Political Science

Overview of the discipline, including the basic theories, concepts, and approaches of political science; provides students with a foundation of knowledge and analytical skills necessary to understand modern politics in historical context. For the students majoring in PS, this course provides a basis for choosing their direction of study within the discipline

Pls 201: American Government

Introduction to the government and political system of the United States, including a study of the values and principles of the U.S. federal system of government, the role of public opinion, the media, voter participation, political parties and interest groups, the institutions of government, and selected issues of public policy.

Pls 215: Introduction to International Relations

Introduction to international politics, including geographic, demographic, economic, and political factors conditioning the behavior of international actors. Students will study the theoretical framework in which current developments can be analyzed, and familiarize themselves with the most pertinent international issues.

Pls 303: Comparative Political Systems

Introduces students to the nature of governmental institutions, public policy, and main trends and problems in various types of governments and different regions of the world, providing a framework in which the current international events can be placed and analyzed. The course will begin with a brief look at basic concepts and principles essential to the study of comparative politics, and will then move to discuss the nature of politics in various types of domestic and non-democratic systems, taking into account regional differences. The subsidiary goal of this course is to encourage students to habitually follow the news affecting their topics of interest, as well as the issues and regions discussed in this course. 

Pls 405: Research Methods

Introduction to the scientific method, types of research, and forms of research design used in Political Science field. Students will learn how to evaluate the research of others and how to effectively construct and execute their own research inquires in a methodical and rigorous manner. 

Pls 499: Political Science Seminar

This capstone course ties together the practical and theoretical elements of the Political Science major, asking students to synthesize and apply the knowledge and skills they have gained over the course of their learning in Political Science.