Liberal Arts

Political Science

Professors Fitzgerald, Funderburk, Moore, Nord, Schlagheck (chair), Walker

Associate Professors Adams, Green, Sirkin

Assistant Professors Anderson, Snipe

Students of political science study governments: how they evolve, why they exist, the forms and social functions they assume, why they change, and who controls them. To understand governments, students of political science also study politics: how people behave in their relationship to government, what they do to influence government, and how government attempts to influence people's behavior and beliefs about what it does. Students of politics also must appreciate how cultural, historical, and economic forces affect the evolution of governments and mass political behavior.

The Bachelor of Arts program in political science focuses on three areas of instruction:

1. American government, including legislative and executive institutions, political parties and interest groups, public administration, public opinion and elections, and state and urban government; public law, including constitutional law, criminal justice, civil liberties, and environmental law
2. International relations and comparative politics, including American and Soviet-Post-Soviet foreign policy; Western European and Latin American governments; the Middle East, East European, Russian, and Asian governments; African politics; national security policy; terrorism; international political economy; and developing political systems
3. Political philosophy theory and analysis, including feminist theory, political philosophy, political ideologies, the history of political thought, and political analysis; and quantitative methods of political research

Student Internships and Applied Politics

Internships for political science majors may be arranged with area state legislators, congressional district offices, Dayton-area metropolitan govern-ments, and governmental and policy advocacy agencies and organizations in Washington, D.C. These internships complement classroom work and give students the chance to apply knowledge and develop valuable interpersonal and career-related skills. The department sponsors student participation on our nationally recognized, award-winning team attending the annual National Model United Nations meeting in New York.

Degree Requirements - Political Science

Bachelor of Arts Degree

Prerequisite: Core Requirements

1. American Government (two courses, eight hours)
2. International and Comparative Politics (two courses, eight hours)
3. Political Philosophy, Theory, and Analysis (one course, four hours)

Prerequisite: Core Requirements
Thirty-two quarter hours chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor among 300- and 400-level courses with no fewer than four hours at the 400 level

There are two options. Option 1 must be completed in full by all political science majors who do not choose and complete in full a departmentally approved alternative of at least 21 credit hours.

Option 1

One English course from among the following:

Option 2

Option 2 may be the international economics certificate program, the business minor for liberal arts majors, a minor or second major in another field, or a set of courses from another discipline with a clear focus and coherence reflecting the individual’s career or other interests. Transfer students from Sinclair Community College may apply LAP credits toward “legal affairs” related requirements. Other transfer credits also may be applied toward completion of the requirement. In all cases, Option 2 must have advisor approval and requires at least 21 credit hours.

Minor in Political Science

Students majoring in other fields, particularly other social sciences, may benefit from a minor in political science. The minor is especially helpful to students in journalism, business students interested in international business and finance, students in education, and anyone pursuing a career where a basic understanding of political institutions and processes would strengthen other program interests. Completion of the approved minor is certified on students' official transcript upon graduation.

The minor may be fulfilled by completing the following requirements.

Core Requirements (8 hours) Prerequisite:
Political Life—PLS 200, 212, 222
Area Requirements (12 hours)
Prerequisite: Core Requirements

1. American Government (one course, four hours)
2. International and Comparative Politics (one course, four hours)
3. Political Philosophy, Theory, and Analysis (one course, four hours)

Advanced Political Science Electives:
Twelve hours distributed among 300- and 400-level courses chosen in consultation with a departmental advisor

Departmental Honors

Majors in political science may earn departmental honors by completing the following requirements:

1. Compiling a minimum GPA of 3.4 on all political science course work and in overall course work
2. Attaining senior standing
3. Completing the Model United Nations Seminar or a comparable limited enrollment advanced course with a grade of “A” or “B” (see the department chair for more information)
4. Completing the annual senior honors research seminar with a grade of “A” or “B”

By completing these requirements and the eight-course Honors Program requirement (described on page 17), majors may earn the designation “University Honors Scholar” upon graduation. Interested students should contact the University Honors Program for more information.

National Honor Society

Majors in political science may become eligible for membership in Theta Zeta Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. Interested students should see the department chair for more information.

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