Political Science Major
Political Scientists study power and how it operates at different levels – among individuals, within and between institutions and individuals, and between countries, international organizations, corporations, societal groups, and individuals in the international arena. Our department hopes students will connect the classroom with the wider issues in global, national, and local politics by attending our many events, trips, and study tours and participating in internships.
Goal 1: Key Concepts/Theories: Students will understand core concepts and theories within political science
Outcome 1.1: Students will identify, define, and/or explain the content, core concepts, and theories that guide the subfields of political science
Goal 2: Write/Argue: Students will develop arguments based on theory and/or evidence
Outcome 2.1: Students will articulate verbally and/or in writing an argument which defines, explains, and/or analyzes the content, process, and/or outcomes relevant to the subfields of political science
Goal 3: Analyze: Students will evaluate arguments using theoretical principles or empirical evidence
Outcome 3.1: Students will apply a variety of tools, methods, or perspectives to critically analyze and/or evaluate issues relevant to the subfields of political science
Goal 4: World outside the classroom: Students will participate in experiential learning related to the political science discipline
Outcome 4.1: Students will demonstrate career preparation through experiential learning opportunities that are closely related to political science or a related field through the development of interpersonal, analytical, and/or problem-solving skills
Cornerstone Core Curriculum Requirements
Consist of 14 core and 2 overlay requirements. See below for additional detailed information on each of these requirements.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Course Requirements | ||
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| World History Course Area | 3 | |
| Philosophy Requirements | ||
Either Level One or Level Two (but not both) -- must be Ethics designated. If approved, philosophy courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as Philosophy Level Two and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two | 3 | |
| Theology & Religious Studies Requirements | ||
If approved, Theology & Religious Studies courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive overlay. Students may not double-count the same course as CCC Theology and as a Mission Overlay course. | ||
| Theology | 3 | |
| Religious Studies | 3 | |
| Diversity & INT 151 Requirements | ||
A student's Diversity course may not count for any other CCC course area requirement or as their Mission Overlay course. If approved, Diversity courses may count for a student's Writing Intensive Overlay requirement. INT 151 may not count for any other CCC requirements. This course must be taken in the first two years | ||
| Diversity | 3 | |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| Math & Natural Science Requirements | ||
If approved, Math & Natural Science Requirements may count toward overlay requirements. | ||
| Mathematics | 3-4 | |
| Natural Science | 4 | |
| Social Science Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, such Social Science Requirement may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Non-Native Language Requirement | 3-4 | |
A single Non-Native Language course may not count as an overlay course but a second language course fulfills a student's Mission Overlay requirement. | ||
| Literature Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Literature courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design Requirement | 3 | |
If approved, Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design courses may count toward a student's overlay requirements. | ||
| Overlay Requirements | ||
| Writing-Intensive | 3 | |
If approved, Writing-Intensive courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, electives, or as any CCC course area requirement except for the first-year courses (World History and Rhetoric and Composition). | ||
| Mission-Overlay | 3 | |
Mission Overlay courses may double count as major courses, minor courses, elective courses, or any of the following CCC course areas: Fine and Performing Arts, Creativity, and Design, Literature, Mathematics, Natural Science, or Social Science. | ||
| Total Hours | 47-49 | |
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POL 111 | Intro to American Politics (will count for CCC: Social Science) | 3 |
| Statistics (will count for CCC: Mathematics) | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Applied Statistics Plus | ||
| Two Additional Introductory Courses: | 6 | |
| Intro to Comparative Politics | ||
| Intro to Global Politics | ||
| Intro to Political Thought | ||
| Professional Development | ||
| POL 190 | Strategies for Success | 1 |
| POL 290 | Career Prep Seminar | 1 |
| Complementary Analytical Skills 6 | 3 | |
| Students will choose to take any one course from the following categories: | ||
World Language. A second Non-Native Language course will satisfy the Mission Specific (Global Citizenship) Overlay requirement. | ||
Any HIS course beyond the World History requirement (HIS 200-499) | ||
| Lower and Upper Division Courses | ||
| Select any three POL courses numbered 100-499 | 9 | |
| Select seven POL courses numbered 300-499 1, 2, 3 | 21 | |
| Experiential Learning Course | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Washington Leadership Seminar | ||
| Washington Internship | ||
| Washington Center Elective | ||
| Washington Internship I | ||
| Washington Internship II | ||
| International Internship I | ||
| International Internship II | ||
| Global Smarts Internship | ||
| CAS Internship I (Philadelphia Area Internship) | ||
OR any Service Learning course (with SLR attribute) | ||
OR Study Abroad (One Semester) | ||
| Capstone Course | 3 | |
| Select one POL Capstone course from among 400-409 4, 5 | ||
| Total Hours | 53-54 | |
- 1
POL 270 may count, but only twice.
- 2
POL majors who double-major in IR may not count more than three (3) upper division courses towards either degree requirement.
- 3
POL majors may only count 2 study abroad courses towards their degree requirements.
- 4
POL majors who double-major in IR must complete a second Senior Capstone Course to fulfill the IR major requirements. In addition, Capstone Courses do not count towards the Upper Division Course requirements for either major.
- 5
The Department strongly recommends that all students take the appropriate introductory course prior to enrolling in a Capstone Course.
Free Electives
At least eleven courses. Graduation requires 120 credits. Any credits necessary to reach that number outside of the CCC and major requirements are considered free electives.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| POL 111 | Intro to American Politics | 3 |
| World History | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level One | 3 | |
| Non-Native Language | 3-4 | |
| Free Elective #1 | 3 | |
| INT 151 | Inequality in American Society | 1 |
| POL 190 | Strategies for Success | 1 |
| Hours | 17-18 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL 113 |
Intro to Comparative Politics or Intro to Global Politics or Intro to Political Thought |
3 |
| ENG 101 | Craft of Language | 3 |
| Theology | 3 | |
| Complementary Analytical Skills | 3 | |
| Free Elective #2 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL 113 |
Intro to Comparative Politics or Intro to Global Politics or Intro to Political Thought |
3 |
| POL Major Elective #1 | 3 | |
| Philosophy Level Two or Religious Studies | 3 | |
| MAT 118 or MAT 148 |
Introduction to Statistics or Applied Statistics Plus |
3 |
| Free Elective #3 | 3 | |
| POL 290 | Career Prep Seminar | 1 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL Major Elective #2 | 3 | |
| POL Major Elective #3 | 3 | |
| Diversity | 3 | |
| Religious Studies or PHL Level Two | 3 | |
| Free Elective #4 (or Mission Overlay) | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Junior | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL Major Elective #4 | 3 | |
| POL Major Elective #5 | 3 | |
| Natural Science or Free Elective #5 | 3-4 | |
| Experiential Learning or Free Elective #6 | 3 | |
| Free Elective #7 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL Major Elective #6 | 3 | |
| POL Major Elective #7 | 3 | |
| Free Elective #5 or Natural Science | 3-4 | |
| Free Elective #6 or Experiential Learning | 3 | |
| Free Elective #8 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15-16 | |
| Senior | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL Capstone (WI Overlay) or POL Major Elective #8 (POL 100 -499) | 3 | |
| POL Major Elective #9 (POL 100 -499) | 3 | |
| Literature or Fine, Performing Arts, Design, or Creativity | 3 | |
| Free Elective #9 | 3 | |
| Free Elective #10 | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL Major Elective #8 or POL Capstone (WI Overlay) | 3 | |
| POL Major Elective #10 | 3 | |
| Fine, Performing Arts, Design, or Creativity or Literature | 3 | |
| Free Elective #11 | 3 | |
| Optional Free Elective #12 | ||
| Hours | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120-123 | |
- 1
Note that the number of free electives may vary depending on AP credits awarded, the natural science option completed (one lab course vs. two non-lab courses), and number of courses completed for the non-native language requirement