Political Science

Politics as a field of study

Political Science is the study of government, public policies and political behavior. The major in Political Science provides students with a broad program of study designed to promote effective civic participation as a citizen, public servant, or elected official. The curriculum requires students to complete course work in all four areas of the CSUCI mission: interdisciplinary, experiential and service learning, international and multicultural studies. The major develops skills in critical analysis and oral and written communication. It promotes an understanding of contemporary political systems and institutions, emphasizes competency in the basic tools of political science, and focuses on the relationship between Political Science and the other disciplines. Since politics and economics are so closely tied together, the program recommends that each student complete a basic course in economics (either ECON 300 or ECON 110 and 111) as part of the course of study. In addition, the program encourages students to become competent in a second language and recommends international study for political science students interested in international affairs.

Careers

The Political Science major will prepare students for careers in federal, state and local governments; law; business; international organizations; nonprofit associations and organizations; campaign management and polling; journalism; education; electoral politics, research and advocacy. In addition, the major in Political Science prepares students for graduate and professional study in the field of Political Science as well as International Relations, Law, and Public Administration. 

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing the requirements for a B.A. degree in Political Science will be able to:

1. write clearly and with purpose on issues of international and domestic politics and public policy;
2. participate as a civically engaged member of society;
3. analyze political and policy problems and formulate policy options;
4. use electronic and traditional library resources to research key local, state, national and international policy issues and present results;
5. demonstrate competency with basic tools underlying modern social science research including competency in statistics and qualitative analysis
6. demonstrate critical thinking, including the ability to form an argument, detect fallacies, and martial evidence, about key issues of public policy and politics;
7. discuss the major theories and concepts of political science and its subfields; and
8. deliver thoughtful and well articulated presentations of research findings.

Political Science Program Flyer (PDF, 1.62MB)