Political Science Program

Program Overview

At the core of 西瓜视频's political science program is the recognition that this era of global connectedness requires greater understanding, intercultural communication, and diplomacy as individuals, communities, and nations work together toward common goals. Through the coursework, you will examine the theory and practice of political governance to analyze policies and initiatives as well as the ideologies beneath them.

Upon graduation, you will have a firm grasp of classic and contemporary political theory, a practical understanding of the workings of local and federal governments, and an appreciation of the unique position of the United States and the world system. You will also gain the knowledge and skills needed to make a positive, well informed impact in the world - and in the career of your choice in a wide range of fields.
Curriculum
Curriculum Requirements - Total Credits Required: 125-126

听

First Year - Credits: 32
- World Language听 (Cr: 6)
- Individual and Society听General Education Requirement听听 (Cr: 3)
- Global Issues General Education Requirement听 (Cr: 3)
- Electives听听 (Cr: 6)
- ENG 111听-听Critical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)
  
  Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
- ENG 112听-听Critical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)
  
  Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
- INT 100听-听Internship I (Cr: 2)
- POL 110听-听World Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 113听-听American Government and Politics (Cr: 3)
Sophomore - Credits: 32-33
- Quantitative Reasoning听General Education Requirement听 (Cr. 3)
- Science & Technology听General Education Requirement听 (Cr: 3-4)
- Literary Perspectives General Education Requirement听听 (Cr: 3)
- Values and Ethical Reasoning General Education Requirement听 (Cr: 3)
- Political Science Elective听 (Cr: 6)
- INT 200听-听Internship II (Cr: 2)
- POL 220听-听Comparative Political Models (Cr: 3)
- POL 250听-听Political Theory (Cr: 3)
- POL 270听-听Research Methods in Political Science (Cr: 3)
- POL 271听-听Advanced Research Design in Political Science (Cr: 3)
Junior - Credits: 31
- Aesthetic Awareness and Creative Expression General Education Requirement听听 (Cr: 3)
- World Cultures General Education Requirement听听 (Cr: 3)
- Political Science Elective听 (Cr: 15)
- General Education Electives听听 (Cr: 6)
- Electives听 (Cr: 3)
- POL 379听-听Semester Internship Strategies (Cr: 1)
Senior - Credits: 30
- Elective听 (Cr: 6)
- General Education Electives听 (Cr: 6)
  (must be above the 100 level)
- POL 480听-听Semester Internship (Cr: 12)
- POL 489听-听Senior Research (Cr: 3)
- POL 490听-听Senior Thesis (Cr: 3)
  
  Or
- POL 491听-听Senior Capstone (Cr: 3)
Political Science Electives

Students must choose 7 courses from the following lists; at least 3 of the 7 must have a POL designation.听
Students may select a specific focus area in choosing their electives.

American Politics and Law
- POL 210听-听Introduction to Public Policy (Cr: 3)
- POL 240听-听American Foreign Policy (Cr: 3)
- POL 260听-听Identity Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 265听-听Political Psychology (Cr: 3)
- POL 300听-听Contemporary Issues in Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 305听-听Social Policy (Cr: 3)
- POL 310听-听Gender and Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 315听-听American Political Thought (Cr: 3)
- POL 343听-听Constitutional Law (Cr: 3)
- POL 382听-听Environmental Law and Politics (Cr: 3)
- CJ 205听-听American Court System (Cr: 3)
- CJ 355听-听Race and Justice (Cr: 3)
- CJ 410听-听Law and Society (Cr: 3)
- ECN 201听-听Macroeconomics (Cr: 3)
- ECN 202听-听Microeconomics (Cr: 3)
- ENV 375听-听Environmental Economics (Cr: 3)
- HST 317听-听Civil Rights Movement (Cr: 3)
- SOC 216听-听United States Healthcare: Institutions and Outcomes (Cr: 3)
- SOC 302听-听Social Problems (Cr: 3)
- SST 201听-听Global Risk: Assessing and Managing Transnational Threats (Cr: 3)
- SST 301听-听Terrorism Studies (Cr: 3)
Global Affairs
- POL 215听-听The New Europe (Cr: 3)
- POL 216听-听International Conflicts (Cr: 3)
- POL 225听-听International Law and Organizations (Cr: 3)
- POL 230听-听Political and Social Change in Developing Countries (Cr: 3)
- POL 240听-听American Foreign Policy (Cr: 3)
- POL 280听-听Global Political Economy (Cr: 3)
- POL 300听-听Contemporary Issues in Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 310听-听Gender and Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 312听-听Great Power Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 430听-听Human Rights (Cr: 3)
- CJ 354听-听International Justice (Cr: 3)
- ECN 201听-听Macroeconomics (Cr: 3)
- ECN 202听-听Microeconomics (Cr: 3)
- ENV 375听-听Environmental Economics (Cr: 3)
- HST 310听-听Economies and Peoples (Cr: 3)
- REL 252听-听Religion and Politics in the Contemporary World (Cr: 3)
- SST 201听-听Global Risk: Assessing and Managing Transnational Threats (Cr: 3)
- SST 301听-听Terrorism Studies (Cr: 3)
Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the political science program, students will:
- Demonstrate an understanding of content and application in the four core areas of political science: American government and politics, political theory, comparative government, and international relations.
- Actively engage in political action and processes at any level on and off campus through field research, internships, service programs, and club activities.
- Communicate effectively in written form within the conventions of the political science discipline.
- Demonstrate the critical inquiry and analysis skills needed to engage constructively in academic discourse within the political science discipline.
Internships and Careers
An 西瓜视频 education means you'll graduate with a degree and a resume.

Whether you pursue graduate school or embark on your career right away after graduation, we believe that your time at 西瓜视频 will prepare you for the next step. Take a look at what our graduates have been up to lately.

View Internships and Careers
Recent Internships

Massachusetts State House

New England Innocence Project

Congressional Office of Seth Moulton

Senate Office of Elizabeth Warren

Mayor’s Office of the City of Beverly
Alumni Employment

AmeriCorps Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)

Connecticut House Republican Caucus

Schulman and Associates
Graduate School Acceptances

西瓜视频 College (Homeland Security)

Salem State University

University of Connecticut School of Law

University of Massachusetts Amherst