Political Science Curriculum

Bachelor of Arts (A. B.) or Bachelor of Science (S. B.)

Understanding of the purposes, organization, and operation of political institutions, both domestic and international, is the focus of this major. Students are challenged to examine current issues, explore government in the United States, and evaluate political systems throughout the world.

Off-campus study opportunities are available at several levels of local, state, and federal government. The Washington Semester, Washington Center of Learning Alternatives, and United Nations Semester are especially interesting. Students also have been placed regularly in internship programs in governmental and non-governmental organizations.

In addition to the required number of credits needed to complete the major, all students must also fulfill the general degree requirements in order to graduate.

Pending final approval from the New York State Education Department		credits
PSC 1010	Introduction to Politics	3.0
PSC 1020	International Relations	4.0
PSC 1040	American Government and Politics	3.0
MAT 2090	Statistical Methods	4.0
PSC 2012	Research Methods in Political Science (W course)	3.0

Either (only one of these courses will count toward the major):
PHR 2085	Social and Political Philosophy
	or	3.0
PSC 2110	Political Thought

Either:
PSC 2030	Comparative Politics-European
	or	3.0
PSC 2040	Comparative Politics-Asian

Capstone Experience:
PSC 4595	Senior Seminar and Thesis I	1.0
PSC 4596	Senior Seminar and Thesis II	1.0
Total credits required to complete the Core Requirements:

American Politics Concentration:		credits
Either:
HIS 1400	United States History I Through 1877
	or	3.0
HIS 1401	United States History II 1865 to Present

Any five courses from the following:
PSC 2020	State and Local Government and Politics	3.0
PSC 2410	Public Policy	3.0
PSC 3013	Political Communication	3.0
PSC 3040	American Courts and the Law (W course)	3.0
PSC 3400	American Political Parties	3.0
PSC 3540	Congress: Legislative Strategy and Behavior (W course)	3.0
PSC 3550	The American Presidency (W course)	3.0
Total credits required to complete the American Politics Concentration:		18.0
Students taking the American Politics Concentration are encouraged to take courses in American History, American Literature, American Studies, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, or Women’s Studies in fulfillment of their General Education requirements.

World Politics Concentration:		credits
One of the following:
HIS 1500	European History I	3.0
HIS 1501	European History II	3.0
HIS 1600	Asian History I	3.0
HIS 1601	Asian History II	3.0

One of the following that was not used to meet the Core Requirements:
PSC 2030	Comparative Politics – European
	or	3.0
PSC 2040	Comparative Politics - Asian

Any four courses from the following:
PSC*	Model U.N. Security Council	v
PSC 3030	The United States in the World Arena	3.0
PSC 3050	International Law and World Politics	3.0
PSC 3060	International Conflict and Cooperation (W course)	3.0
PSC 3070	Developmental Politics (W course)	3.0
ECO 3200	International Trade and Finance	3.0
Total credits required to complete the World Politics Concentration:		18.0
*With at the most one Model UN course. The Model U.N. Security Council course numbers to choose from are PSC 2910, 2911, 2912, 2913, and 3900.

Students taking the World Politics Concentration are encouraged to take courses in European or Asian History, Anthropology, Languages, Economics, or other related fields in fulfillment of their General Education Requirements.

Public Affairs Concentration:		credits

ECO 2010	Principles of Microeconomics	3.0
ECO 2020	Principles of Macroeconomics	3.0
PSC 2020	State and Local Government and Politics	3.0
PSC 2410	Public Policy	3.0
PSC 3011	Public Administration (W course)	3.0
PSC 3540	Congress: Legislative Strategy and Behavior (W course)	3.0
Total credits required to complete the Public Affairs Concentration:		18.0
Students taking the Public Affairs Concentration are encouraged to take courses in American History, American Studies, Criminal Justice, Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Women’s Studies, or in subjects that have a relevant policy focus in fulfillment of their General Education Requirements.

Total credits required to complete major:		43.0