Selected Educational Outcomes
- Political science majors will possess the requisite knowledge of the American political system, including an understanding of the structure and process of the federal, state, and local governments, enabling them to become informed and responsible citizens.
- Political science majors will demonstrate knowledge of technological advances and scientific inquiry, enabling them to identify and utilize appropriate tools, such as spreadsheets, database systems, or statistical packages, in the pursuit of resolving issues or resolving questions.
- Political science majors will demonstrate through both oral and written work that they are skilled in inquiry, logical reasoning, and critical analysis, thereby enabling them to make arguments, synthesize facts and information, and present logical arguments leading to creative solutions to problems.
- Political science majors will recognize, demonstrate knowledge of, and analyze issues in political behavior as it relates to value systems and ethics.
Examples of Outcome Assessments
- Mastery of the material in all required and elective courses in the political science major. As each level serves as a foundation for higher levels, mastery of the core material is requisite to mastery of the major. Outcome #1 is met by successful completion of these courses.
- Completion of the capstone experience certifies that a major has met outcomes #2, #3, and #4.
- Information from published surveys of students’ opinions and alumni perceptions of VSU programs and services, as well as information from alumni surveys conducted by the Department of Political Science.
Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in Political Science
| Core Curriculum | 60 | |
| Core Curriculum Areas A-E (See VSU Core Curriculum) | 42 | |
| Core Curriculum Area F | ||
| Principles of Logic and Argumentation | ||
| Introduction to Political Science and Introduction to Global Issues | ||
Foreign Language and Culture | ||
If a student has taken any of the above courses to meet requirements in other areas of the Core Curriculum, credit hours must be taken from the following list of courses: PHIL 2010, all other Area E Courses | ||
| Senior College Curriculum | 60 | |
| Courses required for the Major 1 | ||
| POLS 3100 & POLS 4100 & ENGL 3030 | Scope and Methods of Political Science and Political Science Capstone Course and Writing for the Legal and Social Science Professions | 9 |
| Select one of the following; | 3 | |
| Social and Political Philosophy | ||
| Ethics and Public Policy | ||
| Ethics and Public Administration | ||
| Political Science Courses--Select 27 hours from the following; at least 12 hours must be in one Concentration Area | 27 | |
| American Government | ||
| American State and Local Government and Politics | ||
| The American Legislative Process | ||
| The American Political Process: Campaigns, Elections, and Voters | ||
| Political Parties, Interest Groups and the Media | ||
| Public Opinion and Political Socialization | ||
| Race, Ethnicity, and Politics | ||
| The American Presidency | ||
| Separation of Powers in the American Political System | ||
| Southern Politics | ||
| Directed Study in Political Science | ||
| Special Topics in U.S. Government and Politics | ||
| Internship in Political Science | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| Comparative Politics | ||
| European Politics | ||
| Politics in Russia | ||
| African Politics | ||
| Politics in Developing Nations | ||
| Comparative Constitutional Law and Judicial Politics | ||
| Constitutional Law and Judicial Politics of the European Union | ||
| Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Directed Study in Political Science | ||
| Special Topics in Comparative Politics | ||
| Special Topics in EU Politics | ||
| International Relations | ||
| International Politics | ||
| European Politics | ||
| The European Union | ||
| International Organization and Law | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Global Security Policy | ||
| National Security Administration and Policy | ||
| Model United Nations | ||
| Model United Nations II | ||
| Directed Study in Political Science | ||
| Special Topics in EU Politics | ||
| Special Topics in International Politics | ||
| Public Law | ||
| American Judicial Process and Behavior | ||
| American Constitutional Law I | ||
| American Constitutional Law II | ||
| American Constitutional Law III | ||
| Administrative Law and Government | ||
| Politics and the Supreme Court | ||
| Trial Advocacy | ||
| Trail Advocacy II | ||
| Alternative Dispute Resolution | ||
| Directed Study in Political Science | ||
| Political Theory | ||
| Modern Political Ideologies | ||
| American Political Thought | ||
| Directed Study in Political Science | ||
| Special Topics in Political Theory | ||
| Public Administration | ||
| Introduction to Public Administration | ||
| Public Administration and Public Policy Formation | ||
| National Security Administration and Policy | ||
| Comparative Environmental Politics and Policy | ||
| Government Organization and Administrative Theory | ||
| Public Personnel Administration | ||
| Public Finance Administration | ||
| Urban Politics and Administration | ||
| Intergovernmental Relations | ||
| Quality Management in Public Administration | ||
| Directed Study in Political Science | ||
| Special Topics in Public Administration | ||
| Minor and/or Elective Courses | 21 | |
| Must include at least 6 hours of courses numbered 3000 or above in a single discipline outside of political science. | ||
| Total hours required for the degree | 120 | |
| 1 | The grade in each POLS course taken for the major must be a “C” or better. |
