Political Science (Major, Minor)
Pamela O'Brien, Dean, School of Arts, Sciences and Business
Jennifer L. Erdman, Ph.D., Chair
Anne E. Henderson, Ph.D.
Adam Knight, Ph.D.
Degrees offered
Minor
Campuses
The Political Science curriculum offers in-depth instruction in American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Affairs.
Summary
Traditional Undergraduate
The History/Political Science Department of the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business offers a Major and Minor in Political Science to traditional undergraduate students. Students in the Program may specialize in international relations, public service, law and civic engagement, or public leadership. History and political science provide an important bridge between the humanities and the social sciences. Together they invite students to develop a wide perspective on humanity and its institutions in the past, the present and the future. They also offer students a rich variety of career preparations in academic, public or private sector opportunities.
The Program of Study in Political Science is designed to introduce students to the concepts and theories for understanding a broad range of political problems and to develop analytical skills for thinking and acting responsibly in the diverse field of political affairs. The Program is particularly distinctive for its focus on the role of women in politics, as well as issues of justice and peace. It offers unique perspectives on problems of political violence, terrorism, genocide, and human rights abuses, and provides students with experiential learning opportunities to grapple with these problems in real-world contexts.
The student is encouraged to seek practical experience in politics and law through internships in federal, state and local agencies arranged through consultation with the department advisor. The Department also sponsors a chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (Alpha Delta Nu) for students who meet the membership requirements for this national honor society in political science.
The emphasis throughout is to plan a program with experiences to develop the student's potential, whether her interests and talents direct her toward graduate or professional study or toward employment in the public or private sector upon graduation. Political Science graduates have earned advanced degrees at institutions such as the University of Notre Dame School of Law, University of Maryland School of Law, University of Maryland School of Social Work, The Catholic University of America and George Washington University. Graduates are employed by organizations such as Sinai Hospital, MBNA Corporation, Primerica Financial Services, Legg Mason and Catholic Relief Services.
The following courses fulfill the general education requirements
Thinking Critically and Analytically: POL-101
Understanding and Valuing Diverse Identities and Perspectives, Diversity: HIS-252, POL-252
Understanding and Valuing Diverse Identities and Perspectives, Intercultural: HIS-290, POL-290, POL-351
Becoming an Engaged Citizen: POL-217, POL-344
Students must earn a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in all courses taken to complete the requirements of the Political Science Major.
Programs of Study
Required Courses for a Major in Political Science (Credits)
POL-101 Introduction to Politics (3)
POL-103 Introduction to International Affairs (3)
POL-202 American Politics in Comparative Perspective (3)
POL-217 Civic Participation and Leadership (3)
POL-361 Methods in Political Science Research (3)
POL-401 Political and Economic Globalization (3)
POL-404 US Foreign Relations
POL-456 Senior Seminar (3)
Internship (3)
Three of the following:
POL-290 Women in Islamic Societies (3)
POL-351 Politics of Developing Nations (3)
POL-370 Model OAS (3)
POL-430 International Organizations and World Politics (3)
POL-440 Global Issues (3)
HIS-233 Europe and the World (3)
One of the following:
POL/HIS-219 The American Presidency (3)
POL-312 Legal Reasoning (3)
POL 344 Civil Liberties/Civil Rights (3)
POL-412 Constitutional Law (3)
POL-324 Women, Politics, and the Law (3)
Required Courses for a Major in Political Science/International Relations
HIS-404 U.S. Foreign Relations in the 20th Century (3)
HIS-233 Europe and the World (3)
POL-103 Introduction to International Affairs (3)
POL-351 Problems of Developing Nations (3)
POL-361 Methods in Political Science Research (3)
POL-401 Political and Economic Globalization (3)
POL-430 International Organizations and World Politics (3)
POL-440 Global Issues or HIS/POL-325 Revolution and Terrorism (3)
POL-456 Senior Seminar (3)
Internship (3)
Four of the following:
HIS-200 Honors: The Age of Genocide (3)
POL/HIS-252 Latin American History and Politics (3)
POL-290 Women in Islamic Societies (3)
HIS-328 Post-Colonial Africa (3)
HIS-331 Modern China (3)
HIS-338 Russia Since 1917 (3)
POL-370 Honors: Model OAS
HIS-340 History of the Holocaust
Required Courses for a Major in Political Science/Public Service
POL-101 Introduction to Politics (3)
POL-202 American Politics in Comparative Perspective (3)
POL-217 Civic Participation and Leadership (3)
POL-312 Legal Reasoning (3)
POL-361 Methods in Political Science Research (3)
Internship (3)
POL-456 Senior Seminar (3)
One of the following:
POL/HIS-319 The American Presidency (3)
POL-412 Constitutional Law (3)
One of the following:
HIS-208 The United States, 1900-1945 (3)
HIS-316 The United States, 1945 to the Present (3)
One of the following:
BUS-394 Organizational Behavior (3)
BUS-302 Principles of Management (3)
One of the following:
COM-331 Public Relations (3)
COM-403 Organizational Communication (3)
Three other political science or history courses of student's choice (9)
Recommended electives: BUS-211 and BUS-212 Principles of Accounting I and II.
Major in Political Science/Law and Civic Engagement
The Political Science Major with a Law and Civic Engagement track introduces students to the principal fields of inquiry and intersection within legal systems and political institutions. The Program explores the special relationships of women to law and government—as lawmakers, leaders, and policymakers. Accordingly, the Major helps prepare students to assume positions of leadership in their communities.
Students interested in attending law school should consider taking a broad undergraduate program in the liberal arts, with a particular focus on courses in English, History, Political Science and Philosophy. Successful law school applicants should have a broad understanding of History, including the various factors that have influenced the development of society in the United States. They should possess a fundamental understanding of political thought and of the contemporary American political system. Through strategic selection of courses fulfilling General Education Requirements they should also acquire mathematical and financial skills, such as an understanding of pre-calculus mathematics and an ability to analyze financial data. Finally, they should possess an understanding of human behavior and social interaction as well as an understanding of diverse cultures within and beyond the United States, of international institutions and issues, of world events, and of the increasing interdependence of the nations and communities within our world.
Required Courses for Major in Political Science/Law and Civic Engagement
POL-101 Introduction to Political Science (3)
POL-219 American Presidency
POL-324 Women, Politics, and the Law (3)
POL-202 American Politics in Comparative Perspective (3)
POL-217 Civic Participation and Leadership (3)
POL-312 Legal Reasoning (3)
POL-361 Methods in Political Science Research (3)
POL-412 Constitutional Law (3)
POL-440 Global Issues (3) or POL-370 Model OAS
POL/HIS-456 Senior Seminar (3)
POL-344 Civil Liberties/Civil Rights (3)
One internship or study abroad experience (3)
Four additional courses (12)
Courses fulfilling this requirement include, but are not limited to:
BUS-304 Legal Environment of Business I
BUS-305 Legal Environment of Business II
COM-441 Mass Communication Law
CRM-107 Introduction to Criminology
CRM-307 Theories of Crime and Social Deviance
CRM-310 The Criminal Justice System
HIS/POL-200 Genocide
HIS/POL-290 Women in Islamic Societies
HIS-215 Women in American History
HIS-404 U.S. Foreign Relations
PHL-310 Logic
POL-260 Immigration Law and Policy
POL-401 Globalization
POL-430 International Organizations
Minor in Political Science
The Department also offers a Minor in Political Science consisting of a minimum of 18 credits of course work in Political Science. Students who wish to Minor in Political Science should consult the department chair. POL-101 and 103 are required.
Minor in Law and Civic Engagement
The Minor in Law and Civic Engagement is an 18 credit course of study designed to deepen understanding of the structures and functions of American government and the role of law in contemporary society. The Minor particularly seeks to explore the special relationships of women to law and government—as lawmakers, leaders, and policymakers. When coupled with the student's Major, the law and civic engagement Minor prepares students to assume positions of leadership in their communities. For those interested in attending law school, the Minor provides a focused set of courses aimed at providing relevant skills and knowledge. The Minor includes the following courses:
POL-202 American Politics in Comparative Perspective
POL-312 Legal Reasoning
POL-217 Civic Participation and Leadership
POL-412 Constitutional Law
Two courses from the following:
POL-101 Introduction to Political Science
POL-219 American Presidency
POL-324 Women, Politics, and the Law
POL-344 Civil Liberties
POL-370 Model OAS
POL-440 Global Issues
Internship (Typical sites include state and federal courts, the Maryland State Legislature, state agencies, local government bodies, law firms, advocacy groups, and other organizations.)
Minor in Public Leadership
The Department also offers an interdisciplinary Minor in Public Leadership designed to meet the needs of students who are interested in preparing for leadership roles (professional or voluntary) after graduation. This Minor should also be useful for students active in student government by providing academic experiences related to effective leadership. The nature of this Minor makes it an effective complement to many Majors. The requirements are as follows: 18 credits consisting of 9-12 credits in academic courses and 6-9 credits in experiential components.
Required courses: POL-202 American Politics in Comparative Perspective; POL-217 Civic Participation and Leadership; and POL-319 The American Presidency or POL-324 Women, Politics and the Law. Students taking 12 credits in academic courses will select one course from the following: HIS-208 The United States, 1900-1945 or HIS-316 The United States, 1945 to the present.
Students must also participate in at least two experiential components under faculty supervision: POL-370 Honors: Model OAS; and an internship.
Directed Leadership Experience
Students interested in this Minor should consult the Department Chair.
Political Science Four-Year Plan
Below is a sample Program of Study for the Political Science Major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First year | |||
| IDS-100 Perspectives in Education | 3 | POL-202 American Government in Comparative Perspective | 3 |
| POL-101 Introduction to Politics | 3 | Natural Science | 4 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | Major Elective | 3 |
| ENG-101 College Writing | 3 | General Education/Electives | 6 |
| History | 3 | [16 credits] | |
| [15 credits] | |||
| Second year | |||
| POL-103 Introduction to International Affairs | 3 | ||
| ECO-211 Macroeconomics | 3 | General Education | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | Major Elective | 3 |
| MAT-215 Basic Statistics | 3 | POL-440 Global Issues | 3 |
| Major Elective | 3 | General Education/Electives | 6 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
| Third year | |||
| POL-361 Methods in Research | 3 | POL-312 Legal Reasoning | 3 |
| POL-430 International Organizations | 3 | HIS-233 Europe & the World | 3 |
| Major Elective | 3 | Major Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 6 | General Education/Electives | 6 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
| Fourth year | |||
| HIS-404 U.S. Foreign Relations | 3 | POL-401 Political & Economic Globalization | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 12 | POL-217 Civic Participation & Leadership | 3 |
| [15 credits] | POL-456 Senior Seminar | 3 | |
| General Education/Electives | 6 | ||
| [15 credits] |
Political Science/International Relations Four-Year Plan
Below is a sample Program of Study for the Political Science Major, with a Concentration in International Relations. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First year | |||
| POL-103 Introduction to International Affairs | 3 | ECO-211 Macroeconomics | 3 |
| ENG-101 College Writing | 3 | POL-252 Latin America | 3 |
| NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education | 3 | POL-290 Women in Islamic Society | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | General Education/Electives | 6 |
| MAT-215 Basic Statistics | 3 | [15 credits] | |
| [15 credits] | |||
| Second year | |||
| COM-106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication | POL-370 Model OAS | 3 | |
| English Literature | 3 | HIS-200 Age of Genocide | 3 |
| HIS-328 Post Colonial Africa | 3 | General Education/Electives | 9 |
| General Education/Electives | 6 | [15 credits] | |
| [15 credits] | |||
| Third year Study Abroad Recommended | |||
| POL-361 Methods in Research | 3 | HIS-233 Europe and the World | 3 |
| POL-430 Intl Organizations | 3 | POL-440 Global Issues | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 9 | HIS-335 Modern Japan | 3 |
| [15 credits] | General Education/Electives | 6 | |
| [15 credits] | |||
| Fourth year | |||
| Major Elective | 9 | POL-401 Political & Economic Globalization | 3 |
| HIS-404 U.S. Foreign Relations | 3 | POL-351 Problems of Developing Nations | 3 |
| POL-312 Legal Reasoning | 3 | POL-338 Russia | 3 |
| [15 credits] | POL-465 Senior Seminar | 3 | |
| General Education/Electives | 3 | ||
| [15 credits] |
Political Science/Public Service Four-Year Plan
Below is a sample Program of Study for the Political Science/Public Service Major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First year | |||
| NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education | 3 | ECO-212 Microeconomics | 3 |
| ECO-211 Macroeconomics | 3 | ENG-101 College Writing | 3 |
| POL-101 Introduction to Politics | 3 | General Education/Electives | 9 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | [16 credits] | |
| MAT-215 Basic Statistics | 3 | ||
| [15 credits] | |||
| Second year | |||
| POL-202 American Government in Comparative Perspective | 3 | HIS/POL-elective | 3 |
| BUS-211 Accounting I | 3 | BUS-212 Accounting II | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 9 | General Education/Electives | 9 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
| Third year | |||
| COM-331/403 PR/Organizational Communication | 3 | POL-317 Civic Participation & Leadership | 3 |
| BUS-302/394 Mgt/Organizational Behavior | 3 | POL-312 Legal Reasoning | 3 |
| POL-361 Methods in Research | 3 | HIS/POL-elective | 3 |
| HIS-208/316 U.S. History | 3 | General Education/Elective | 6 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | [15 credits] | 3 |
| [16 credits] | |||
| Fourth year | |||
| POL-319/412 American Presidency | 3 | POL- 456 Senior Seminar | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 12 | POL - Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 9 | ||
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] |
Political Science/Law and Civic Engagement Four-Year Plan
Below is a sample Program of Study for Political Science/Law and Civic Engagement Major. Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
| Fall | Spring | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| First year | |||
| NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education | 3 | HIS/POL-200 Genocide | 3 |
| POL-101 Introduction to Politics | 3 | POL-202 American Government in Comparative Perspective | 3 |
| ENG-101 College Writing | 3 | POL-217 Civic Participation and Leadership | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3 | General Education/Electives | 6 |
| MAT-215 Basic Statistics | 3 | [15 credits] | |
| [15 credits] | |||
| Second year | |||
| POL/HIS- elective | 3 | HIS-200/POL-200 Genocide | 3 |
| POL-370 Model OAS | 3 | HIS-290/POL-290 Women in Islamic Societies | 3 |
| General Education/Electives | 9 | General Education/Electives | 9 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
| Third year | |||
| POL-361 Methods in Political Science Research | 3 | ||
| POL-344 Civil Rights/Civil Liberties | 3 | POL-312 Legal Reasoning | 3 |
| CRM-107 Introduction to Criminology | 3 | POL-440 Global Issues | 3 |
| POL/HIS elective for major | 3 | Internship | 3 |
| POL-324 Women/Politics/Law | 3 | Elective | 3 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] | ||
| Fourth year | |||
| POL-412 Constitutional Law | 3 | POL-370 Model OAS | 3 |
| Major elective | 3 | Major elective | 3 |
| POL-401 Globalization | 3 | POL/HIS-456 Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Electives | 6 | Electives | 6 |
| [15 credits] | [15 credits] |