Political Science majors at Mount St. Mary’s University are expected to graduate with a basic understanding of the field of political science. To that end, the Department of Political Science has established the following five learning goals to measure student achievement, and a means to assess student success.

All students in the Political Science major are expected to:

Complete a major research project in a subfield of political science, demonstrating a competent ability to pose and analyze an important question using philosophical, legal, qualitative or quantitative methods.

Elucidate a proficient familiarity with the nature, evolution, theoretical framework, and purposes of features of the international political system, including state and non-state actors, international law, and international organizations.

Demonstrate an understanding of the similarities and differences of political systems and cultures around the world.

Make informed and reasoned arguments concerning issues pertaining to constitutional democracy in contemporary America, demonstrating familiar with the history, operations and salient features of American politics.

Understand the evolution of Western political thought and ideologies, including emerging ideologies, and the impact of some key figures in the realm of political thought.