a c a d e m i c p r o g r a m sCollege of Arts and Sciences - Curriculum Guide
Political Science
Christopher J. Bosso, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair
Bernard A. Stotsky Professor
William F. S. Miles, PhD
Distinguished Professor
Michael S. Dukakis, JD
Edward Brooke Professor
David E. Schmitt, PhD
Thomas P. O'Neill Chair in Public Life
William Crotty, PhD
Russell B. and Andree B. Stearns Trustee Professor of Political Economy
Barry Bluestone, PhD
Professors
Michael A. Baer, PhD
Robert E. Gilbert, PhD
Minton F. Goldman, PhD
Ronald D. Hedlund, PhD
Eileen L. McDonagh, PhD
Suzanne P. Ogden, PhD
David A. Rochefort, PhD
Associate Professors
L.Gerald Bursey, PhD, PhD
William D. Kay, PhD
William G. Mayer, PhD
John H. Portz, PhD
Denis J. Sullivan, PhD
Michael C. Tolley, PhD
Bruce A. Wallin, PhD
Assistant Professors
Amilcar A. Barreto Jr., PhD
Eva T. Thorne, PhD
Political science majors study the art and science of politics, the structure and functions of government, political behavior, and public policy making. Political science is interdisciplinary by nature, so students will learn about the political and policy dimensions of societies, economic systems, and cultures, today and across time, both in the United States and in other nations.
Political science majors can choose from a wide array of courses in American politics, international relations, comparative politics, public administration, and political theory. Majors can follow a general studies path, selecting from among electives as they go along, or they can pursue more structured and more specialized concentrations in law and legal issues, international and comparative politics, or public policy and administration.
Most majors participate in the cooperative education program, with placements in state and federal government agencies, law firms, nonprofit institutions, and corporations. Many students complete either a co-op position or an internship with a congressional representative, a senator, a governor, or other elected public servant.
Students may also participate in extracurricular programs designed to expand their leadership ability, such as the Model United Nations, the Model Arab League, moot court, the student government, or the College Democrats or College Republicans. Many students study in one of the college's international programs, such as the Irish Studies program, which includes an internship in the Irish Parliament. Qualified students may be selected for the honors program and join the activities of the political science honor society.
A major in political science helps prepare students for law school, graduate school, and careers in the government and the nonprofit sector, as well as for teaching, journalism, legislative or lobbying positions, public relations activities, and work in international corporations.
See course descriptions for more information.
Bachelor of Arts Curriculum
POL 1110, Introduction to Politics; POL 1111, Introduction to American Government; POL 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments; POL 1261, Public Administration; one political theory course (POL 1373, Pre-Modern Political Thought; POL 1374, Modern Political Thought; or POL 1378, Contemporary Political Thought); experiential education requirement; and eight political science electives.
Six social science electives selected from at least three of the following areas: African-American studies, anthropology, economics, history, psychology (consult the political science department's approved psychology course list), and sociology; and Com 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications or stated equivalent.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Concentration in law and legal issues. POL 1110, Introduction to Politics; POL 1111, Introduction to American Government; POL 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments; POL 1261, Public Administration; one political theory course (POL 1373, Pre-Modern Political Thought; POL 1374, Modern Political Thought; or POL 1378, Contemporary Political Thought); experiential education requirement; six law and legal issues electives; and two general political science electives.
Six social science electives selected from at least three of the following areas: African-American studies, anthropology, economics, history, psychology (consult the political science department's approved psychology course list), and sociology; and Com 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications or stated equivalent.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Concentration in public policy and administration. POL 1110, Introduction to Politics; POL 1111, Introduction to American Government; POL 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments; POL 1261, Public Administration; one political theory course (POL 1373, Pre-Modern Thought; POL 1374, Modern Political Thought; or POL 1378, Contemporary Political Thought); experiential education requirement; POL 1260, Public Policy; six public policy and administration electives; and one general political science elective.
Six social science electives selected from at least three of the following areas: African-American studies, anthropology, economics, history, psychology (consult the political science department's approved psychology course list), and sociology; and Com 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications or stated equivalent.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Concentration in international relations and comparative politics. POL 1110, Introduction to Politics; POL 1111, Introduction to American Government; POL 1112/IAF 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113/IAF 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments; POL 1261, Public Administration; one political theory course (POL 1373, Pre-Modern Political Thought; POL 1374, Modern Political Thought; or POL 1378, Contemporary Political Thought); experiential education requirement; and six international relations and comparative politics electives; and two general political science electives.
Six social science electives selected from at least three of the following areas: African-American studies, anthropology, economics, history, psychology (consult the political science department's approved psychology course list), and sociology; and Com 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications or stated equivalent.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Bachelor of Science Curriculum
POL 1110, Introduction to Politics; POL 1111, Introduction to American Government; POL 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments and Societies; POL 1261, Public Administration; one political theory course (POL 1373, Pre-Modern Thought; POL 1374, Modern Political Thought; or POL 1378, Contemporary Political Thought); POL 1301, POL 1302, Research Methods 1 and 2; experiential education requirement; and seven political science electives.
Six social science electives selected from at least three of the following areas: African-American studies, anthropology, economics, history, psychology (consult the political science department's approved psychology course list), and sociology; and Com 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications or stated equivalent.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Concentration in law and legal issues. POL 1110, Introduction to Politics; POL 1111, Introduction to American Government; POL 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments; one political theory course (POL 1373, Pre-Modern Thought; POL 1374, Modern Political Thought; or POL 1378, Contemporary Political Thought); POL 1261, Public Administration; POL 1301, POL 1302, Research Methods 1 and 2; experiential education requirement; six law and legal issues electives; and one general political science elective.
Six social science electives selected from at least three of the following areas: African-American studies, anthropology, economics, history, psychology (consult the political science department's approved psychology course list), and sociology; and Com 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications or stated equivalent.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Concentration in public policy and administration. POL 1110, Introduction to Politics; POL 1111, Introduction to American Government; POL 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments; POL 1261, Public Administration; one political theory course (POL 1373, Pre-Modern Thought; POL 1374, Modern Political Thought; or POL 1378, Contemporary Political Thought); POL 1301, POL 1302, Research Methods 1 and 2; experiential education requirement; POL 1260, Public Policy; and six public policy and administration electives.
Six social science electives selected from at least three of the following areas: African-American studies, anthropology, economics, history, psychology (consult the political science department's approved psychology course list), and sociology; and Com 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications or stated equivalent.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Concentration in international relations and comparative politics. POL 1110, Introduction to Politics; POL 1111, Introduction to American Government; POL 1112/IAF 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113/IAF 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments; POL 1261, Public Administration; one political theory course (POL 1373, Pre-Modern Political Thought; POL 1374, Modern Political Thought; or POL 1378, Contemporary Political Thought); POL 1301 and POL 1302, Research Methods 1 and 2; experiential education requirement; six international relations and comparative politics electives; and one general political science elective.
Six social science electives selected from at least three of the following areas: African-American studies, anthropology, economics, history, psychology (consult the political science department's approved psychology course list), and sociology; and Com 1105, Computer Science and Its Applications or stated equivalent.
In addition, complete the arts and sciences core curriculum and the experiential education requirement.
Minor Curriculum
Any two of the following courses: POL 1110, Introduction to Politics; POL 1111, Introduction to American Government; POL 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments; POL 1261, Public Administration. Any five additional courses offered by the Department of Political Science for political science majors, including courses listed above that have not been selected to fulfill the above requirement.
Minor in International Politics Curriculum
POL 1112, Introduction to International Relations; POL 1113, Introduction to Foreign Governments; any five additional courses in international politics and/or comparative politics offered by the Department of Political Science.