Mission Statement

Political Science is an academic and research discipline that seeks to describe, analyze, and explain the theory and practice of politics in its broadest sense. Political theory, institutional and structural analysis, individual and group participation, foreign and defense policy, and judicial behavior are included topics covered in the political curriculum.

Degrees Offered

• Associate of Arts – Political Science
• Bachelor of Art or Science – Minor in Political Science

Learning Outcomes

Students who complete the Minor in Political Science will be able to:

• Differentiate between a democracy and an autocracy. They will be able to define democracy, to determine whether any given political system is a democracy or an autocracy, and to demonstrate what characteristics, structures, and functions indicate that it is a democracy or an autocracy.
• Define constitution and differentiate between a true constitution and a document, which is merely a listing of governmental structures. They will be able to distinguish between a constitutional democracy and a basic democracy.
• Compare and contrast the political systems of sovereign states, both democratic and autocratic.
• Have a working knowledge of international relations and of the main schools of thought in international relations and foreign policy. They will understand the principle of sovereignty and the concept of political power.
• Analyze a court case, a legislative act, or an executive decision whether it is the actual decision or a scholarly article discussing the case, the act or the decision

Degree Requirements