Political Science, B.A.

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More information about the Department of Political Science :

A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

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.

Major Requirements

39 Credits:

PSCI 100 - Foundations of American Government Credits: (3)
ECON 101 - Foundations of Economics: Macroecon Credits: (3)
PSCI 201 - International Relations Credits: (3)
PSCI 206 - Comparative Politics Credits: (3)
PSCI 210 - Public Policy Credits: (3)
PSCI 290 - Investigating Politics Credits: (3)
PSCI 360 - Political Analysis Credits: (3)
PSCI 498 - Senior Seminar Credits: (3)
One of the Following:
PSCI 312 - Parties and Elections Credits: (3)
PSCI 315 - Supreme Court & Constitutional Law Credits: (3)
PSCI 317 - The American Presidency Credits: (3)
PSCI 318 - Congressional Politics Credits: (3)
Students will also take 12 credit hours in electives. Up to 3 elective credits can come from 100-level courses, internship credits, or service-learning credits.

Political Science electives may not include PSCI 405 LSAT Preparation or PSCI 365 Mock Trial , or single credits given for participation in simulations.
- PSCI/PSGE XXX - Political Science Elective Credits:(3)
- PSCI/PSGE XXX - Political Science Elective Credits:(3)
- PSCI/PSGE XXX - Political Science Elective Credits:(3)
- PSCI/PSGE XXX - Political Science Elective Credits:(3)

Core Requirements (46 to 49 credits)

The First Year Symposium (3 credits)

Complete the First Year Symposium

FSYM 101 - The First Year Symposium Credits: (3)
Students who cannot complete First Year Symposium must pass one of the following composition courses:
COMM 200 - Foundations of Writing Credits: (3)
COMM 125 - Essentials of Speaking and Writing Credits: (3)
GENED 104 - Work and Education Credits: (3)

World Language Requirement (3-6 Credits)

Complete either 6 credits at the 101 and 102 level or 3 credits at the 200 level or above

Introductory Language (For students beginning at the 101 level)
- XXXX 101 (3)
- XXXX 102 (3)
Advanced Language (For students who begin at the 201 level or above)
- XXXX 201/301 (or higher).

Foundations of Social Science (3 Credits)

Choose 3 credits from among the following:

CJUST 110 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Credits: (3)
ECON 101 - Foundations of Economics: Macroecon Credits: (3)
ECON 102 - Foundations of Economics: Microecon Credits: (3)
EDUC 100 - Foundations of American Education Credits: (4)
PSCI 100 - Foundations of American Government Credits: (3)
PSYCH 100 - Foundations of Psychology Credits: (3)
SOC 100 - Foundations of Sociology Credits: (3)

Modernity in Literature or the Arts (3 Credits)

Choose from among one of the following:

ARMO 300 - Modernity in Visual Art Credits: (3)
ENMO 300 - Modernity in Literature Credits: (3)
MUMO 300 - Modernity in Music Credits: (3)
THMO 300 - Modernity in Theatre Credits: (3)

Laboratory Science (3-4 Credits)

Choose one laboratory science course:

BIOL 110 - Introduction to Biology I Credits: (4)
BIOL 111 - Introduction to Biology II Credits: (4)
BIOL 298 - Anatomy and Physiology I Credits: (4)
CHEM 101 - General Chemistry I Credits: (4)
PHYS 101 - College Physics I Credits: (4)
PHYS 201 - General Physics I Credits: (4)
GNSCI XXX: General Science Course: Credits (3)

Global Encounters (3 Credits)

Choose one Global Encounters course:

XXGE Global Encounters
- Global Encounters courses are offered in many departments, including Business, Communication, English, Education, Foreign Language, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Theology.

Ethics and the Human Good (3 Credits)

Complete one of the following:

PHIL 300 - Ethics and the Human Good Credits: (3)
THEOL 300 - Ethics and the Human Good Credits: (3)

Ethical Leaders (0 Credits)

The Ethical Leadership Experiential Learning Core Requirement invites students to integrate their own personal call to leadership with a mature reflection on one or more of the core virtues of Justice, Courage, Integrity, and Humility. Students will accomplish this by engaging in and reflecting upon the practice of virtue ethics within the context of one or more experiential learning activities.

Note

DOUBLE-MAJORS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

Double majors in Political Science and International Studies must complete all of the courses required for both majors. However, neither PSCI 338 nor PSCI 349 nor any of the courses counted as electives within the Political Science major may count as electives for the International Studies major.

To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students must also earn a major GPA of 2.0, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0.