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

First Year - Credits: 32
- World Language聽 (Cr: 6)
- Individual and Society聽General Education Requirement聽聽 (Cr: 3)
- Global Issues General Education Requirement聽 (Cr: 3)
- Electives聽聽 (Cr: 6)
- ENG 111聽-聽Critical Reading and Writing I (Cr: 3)
  
  Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
- ENG 112聽-聽Critical Reading and Writing II (Cr: 3)
  
  Satisfies the Writing Designated Core requirement.
- INT 100聽-聽Internship I (Cr: 2)
- POL 110聽-聽World Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 113聽-聽American Government and Politics (Cr: 3)
Second Year - Credits: 32
- Quantitative Reasoning聽General Education Requirement聽 (Cr. 3)
- Science & Technology聽General Education Requirement聽 (Cr: 3)
- Literary Perspectives General Education Requirement聽聽 (Cr: 3)
- Values and Ethical Reasoning General Education Requirement聽 (Cr: 3)
- Political Science Elective聽 (Cr: 9)
- INT 200聽-聽Internship II (Cr: 2)
- POL 220聽-聽Comparative Political Models (Cr: 3)
- POL 250聽-聽Political Theory (Cr: 3)
- POL 270聽-聽Research Methods in Political Science (Cr: 3)
Third - Credits: 31
- Aesthetic Awareness and Creative Expression General Education Requirement聽聽 (Cr: 3)
- World Cultures General Education Requirement聽聽 (Cr: 3)
- Political Science Elective聽 (Cr: 15)
- General Education Electives聽聽 (Cr: 6)
- Electives聽 (Cr: 3)
- POL 379聽-聽Semester Internship Strategies (Cr: 1)
Fourth Year - Credits: 30
- Elective聽 (Cr: 6)
- General Education Electives聽 (Cr: 6)
  (must be 200+ level)
- POL 480聽-聽Semester Internship (Cr: 12)
- POL 489聽-聽Senior Research (Cr: 3)
- POL 490聽-聽Senior Thesis (Cr: 3)
  
  Or
- POL 491聽-聽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.聽
Students may select a specific focus area in choosing their electives.

American Politics and Law
- POL 210聽-聽Introduction to Public Policy (Cr: 3)
- POL 240聽-聽American Foreign Policy (Cr: 3)
- POL 260聽-聽Identity Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 265聽-聽Political Psychology (Cr: 3)
- POL 300聽-聽Contemporary Issues in Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 305聽-聽Social Policy (Cr: 3)
- POL 310聽-聽Gender and Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 315聽-聽American Political Thought (Cr: 3)
- POL 343聽-聽Constitutional Law (Cr: 3)
- POL 382聽-聽Environmental Law and Politics (Cr: 3)
- CJ 205聽-聽American Court System (Cr: 3)
- CJ 355聽-聽Race and Justice (Cr: 3)
- CJ 410聽-聽Law and Society (Cr: 3)
- ECN 201聽-聽Macroeconomics (Cr: 3)
- ECN 202聽-聽Microeconomics (Cr: 3)
- ENV 375聽-聽Environmental Economics (Cr: 3)
- HST 317聽-聽Civil Rights Movement (Cr: 3)
- SOC 216聽-聽United States Healthcare: Institutions and Outcomes (Cr: 3)
- SOC 302聽-聽Social Problems (Cr: 3)
- SST 201聽-聽Global Risk: Assessing and Managing Transnational Threats (Cr: 3)
- SST 301聽-聽Terrorism Studies (Cr: 3)
Global Affairs
- POL 215聽-聽The New Europe (Cr: 3)
- POL 216聽-聽International Conflicts (Cr: 3)
- POL 225聽-聽International Law and Organizations (Cr: 3)
- POL 230聽-聽Political and Social Change in Developing Countries (Cr: 3)
- POL 240聽-聽American Foreign Policy (Cr: 3)
- POL 280聽-聽Global Political Economy (Cr: 3)
- POL 300聽-聽Contemporary Issues in Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 310聽-聽Gender and Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 312聽-聽Great Power Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 430聽-聽Human Rights (Cr: 3)
- CJ 354聽-聽International Justice (Cr: 3)
- ECN 201聽-聽Macroeconomics (Cr: 3)
- ECN 202聽-聽Microeconomics (Cr: 3)
- ENV 375聽-聽Environmental Economics (Cr: 3)
- HST 310聽-聽Economies and Peoples (Cr: 3)
- REL 252聽-聽Religion and Politics in the Contemporary World (Cr: 3)
- SST 201聽-聽Global Risk: Assessing and Managing Transnational Threats (Cr: 3)
- SST 301聽-聽Terrorism Studies (Cr: 3)
Legal Studies
- CJ 151聽-聽Criminal Law (Cr: 3)
- CJ 205聽-聽American Court System (Cr: 3)
- CJ 354聽-聽International Justice (Cr: 3)
- CJ 410聽-聽Law and Society (Cr: 3)
- POL 225聽-聽International Law and Organizations (Cr: 3)
- POL 382聽-聽Environmental Law and Politics (Cr: 3)
- POL 430聽-聽Human Rights (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