Brockport / Catalogs / 2013-14 / Programs / Political Science Major (BA/BS)

Political Science Major

Political Science Major

Description

Political Science is the study of the state and of power relations within and among states, as they are and as they ought to be. It seeks a better understanding of political and governmental behavior and institutions in order to enable society to use its collective resources more effectively for the general welfare. The principal sub-fields in Brockport's Department of Political Science and International Studies are political philosophy, American politics and government, comparative government and politics, and international relations.

What can I do with a political science major?

Admission to the Program

Anyone can declare this major.

Program Requirements

Students in the political science major pursue either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree, and must complete the corresponding degree's requirements.

Core Courses

  • PLS111
  • PLS112
  • PLS203
  • PLS303
  • Twelve credits in upper-division courses (300/400 level), including at least one course from each of the four sub-fields: American politics, political theory, international relations and comparative politics .
    • American Politics: PLS 309, 311, 312, 313*, 314, 316, 317,318, 319, 320, 324, 326, 359, 361, 367*, 401, 402, 403, 412, 420, 425, 435, 490, 491, 492/493 (Public Service Internship
      Program), 495/496/497 (Washington Program)
    • Comparative Politics Courses: PLS 305, 337, 340, 342, 343, 346, 348, 364, 367*, 383, 447, 448, 470, 475*
    • International Relations Courses: PLS 304, 333, 338, 339, 410, 444, 445, 475*
    • Political Theory Courses: PLS 313*, 353, 354, 357, 362

* Course is eligible to be applied as upper-division requirement in more than one sub-field. Appropriate sub-field to be determined by course instructor.

Total Number of Credits: 36

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Cognitive Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate an understanding of  the discipline of political science, its history, major theoretical schools, and current trends.
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of the sub-fields of political science, including their key concepts and the theoretical and structural frameworks which political scientists use in studying politics.
    3. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of major methods of political inquiry including research design, data collection, empiricism, statistical analysis, qualitative analysis, computer applications, hypothesis testing, structured observation, and textual analysis.
    4. Demonstrate an understanding of American government, including the origins, principles, and changing interpretation of the Constitution, the nature and impact of federalism, the structure, power, and interaction among the branches of the federal government, the American party system, interest groups, elections, public opinion, voting behavior, civil rights and civil liberties, public policy including economic political , alternative approaches to studying decision making in American politics, and state and local politics and government.
    5. Demonstrate an understanding of comparative politics including the varieties of ideology, political culture, modes of political participation, political institutions and public policy – both domestic and international – in various types of states.
    6. Demonstrate an understanding of inter-state political relations including major variables in contemporary world politics, models of international systems, the global political economy, global environmental issues, international organizations and the role of non-state actors in them, processes and modes of international interaction, the impact of technology upon the global community, and foreign policy making.
    7. Display a knowledge and understanding of the major traditions of western political theory and their critics.  The student should read and be able to analyze the classic offerings of major theorists.
  2. Skills Outcomes
    1. Refine their critical and creative thinking skills, which they will manifest in their research papers, essay examinations, oral presentations, and debates.
  3. Attitudes/Values Outcomes
    1. Acquire tolerance for the expression of differing points of view and develop a comparative understanding of, and tolerance and appreciation for, the variety of cultures and political and social institutions in the United States and the world.
  4. Career Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate an ability to apply theories of political science to real-world situations. Ready themselves for meaningful post-graduation employment and/or education, and service to the community.
    2. Integrate their classroom work with work performed in internship or cooperative education

Course Descriptions

Department of Political Science and International Studies

Department Chair: Mark Chadsey
Location: Brown 228
Visit Website
Email: lchevali@brockport.edu
Phone: (585) 395-2584
Fax: (585) 395-5679

Related Programs

Other Undergraduate Programs


    
Faculty & Staff

    


Mark J Chadsey Ph.D
 (SUNY At Buffalo)  
Associate Professor
Lisa D Chevalier 
Keyboard Specialist 1
James S Fleming Ph.D
 (University Of Arizona)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Jon P Getz JD
 (SUNY College At Buffalo)  
Lecturer
Jonathan  Hollowell MPHIL
 (University of Cambridge)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Steven J Jurek Ph.D
 (SUNY At Buffalo)  
Assistant Professor
Jean  Kachiga Ph.D
 (University of Frankfurt)  
Visiting Assistant Professor
Dena B Levy Ph.D
 (University Of Iowa)  
Associate Professor and Chair
Carol L O'Keefe JD
 (Harvard University)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Susan E Orr Ph.D
 (University Of Florida)  
Associate Professor
Thomas  Placito MA
 (SUNY At Buffalo)  
Adjunct Lecturer
Andrea  Rubery Ph.D
 (Georgetown University)  
Professor
Nilay  Saiya Ph.D
 (University Of Notre Dame)  
Assistant Professor
Robert  Shum Ph.D
 (Johns Hopkins University)  
Assistant Professor