The political science curriculum has two central objectives. It offers the student a broad liberal arts education along with a comprehensive understanding of the nature and the functioning of the political process and government. It also provides a sound foundation for graduate study in political science, public administration and nonprofit management, or for careers that require knowledge of governance and the political process, such as law.

Learning outcomes:

• Assumptions, methods and analytical tools

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the assumptions, methods and analytical tools of the discipline of political science.

• Current political and policy issues

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of current political and policy issues.

• Theory and principles of four subfields

• Students will demonstrate an understanding of basic theory and conceptual principles of political science in the four subfields of American government, political theory, international relations and comparative politics.

• Advanced understanding of one subfield

• Students will demonstrate an advanced understanding of current theoretical and empirical study in one subfield.

• Expository and analytic writing

• Students will demonstrate skill in expository and analytic writing in the political science discipline

• Political behavior

• Students will demonstrate knowledge of the ways in which individuals, national governmental organizations, political movements and parties, nation-states, and intergovernmental institutions work to achieve their political objectives.