Page History

• Faculty
• Field Description
• The Major
  • Program Learning Goals
  • Major Course Requirements
• Honors Thesis in Political Science
• The Minor
• Courses
  • Courses in Political Science (POL)
• Department of Political Science Web Site

 

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Field Description

Our lives, our communities, and our world are to a considerable degree shaped by political events. Political science provides students with an understanding of the multifaceted ideas, structures, and processes of politics in the United States and abroad. Courses are designed to accomplish three principal objectives: to help the student acquire and establish habits of critical and creative thinking about public issues; to enlarge and broaden the students understanding of significant data, major ideas, and activities regarding politics; and to prepare students for careers in law, government, journalism, and education.

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major major

The Major

In order to officially become a major in Political Science, students must come in person to the Political Science Department (VC 5-280) to fill out our major declaration form and have it approved by the chair.

The Political Science major is unusually flexible. Students are required to take American Government (

Showcourse v
CourseNumber 1101 Discipline POL

), a capstone seminar (

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CourseNumber 4900 Discipline POL

), plus seven other political science courses, representing at least four of the six subfields outlined below. At least two electives must be at the 3000-level.

In addition to our field-specific courses, students can also receive elective credit for Special Topics courses (

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CourseNumber 3999 Discipline POL

), Independent Study projects (

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CourseNumber 5000 Discipline POL

), Research Practicums (

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CourseNumber 5030-5031 Discipline POL

), or Honors Thesis projects (

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CourseNumber 6001H Discipline POL

,

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CourseNumber 6002H Discipline POL

).

 

Important Advisory Regarding Capstones: At least one of the two required 3000-level courses in Political Science must be completed BEFORE taking the capstone

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CourseNumber 4900 Discipline POL

. (If necessary, students are permitted to take the second 3000-level course during the same semester as the capstone, but must consult with the department to do so.) Political Science does NOT offer capstone courses in winter sessions.

 

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Program Learning Goals

Upon Completion of a Major in Political Science, students will be able to:

Political Science Concepts

1. Gain a broad exposure to central issues of political science, which include:
   
   • the ethical problems attendant to the exercise of power;
   • the history of important political ideas, such as "liberty," "justice," "community," and "equality";
   • the impact of historical, economic, and social forces on the operation of politics;
   • the functioning and distinctive features of the US political system;
   • the diversity of political systems found among nations and the significance of these differences;
   • the interaction among international actors and the causes of war and peace.
2. Employ a key concept, theory, or method of political science.

Critical Thinking Skills

1. Articulate a thesis regarding a political question.
2. Consider alternative perspectives regarding a political question.
3. Evaluate evidence regarding a political question.

Research Skills

1. Gather appropriate evidence pertinent to a political question, including:
   
   • primary evidence (quantitative data, court cases, interviews, etc.);
   • secondary evidence (political science literature).

Written and Oral Expression

      1.  Craft a well-structured written or oral argument regarding a political question.

Civic Engagement

      1.  Develop a greater sense of civic duty to participate in public affairs.

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Major Course Requirements

 

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honorsthesis honorsthesis

Honors Thesis in Political Science

The Honors Thesis is a two-semester sequence (

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CourseNumber 6001H Discipline POL

,

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CourseNumber 6002H Discipline POL

) that offers students of superior academic achievement the opportunity to work individually with a professor on a major research project in Political Science. This project involves in-depth and original research of an empirical and/or theoretical question in the field. The degree "with honors" is conferred upon acceptances of the honors project by the Committee on Undergraduate Honors. the six credits earned from completing a thesis will be accepted as part of the 24 credit major.  

Prerequisites:

• 3.5 GPA in Political Science and also a 3.5 cumulative GPA
• Complete a minimum of four courses in Political Science, including at least two at the 3000-level or above
• Submit an application and prospectus that has been approved by the prospective faculty mentor, the Chair of Political Science (Dr. David Jones), and the Chair of the Committee of Undergraduate Honors (Dr. Frank Heiland). The deadline for the prospectus is April 1 for a student who wishes to begin the thesis in the Fall semester, and November 1 for a student who wishes to begin the thesis in the Spring semester.
• Students do NOT have to be enrolled in the Honors Program to write an honors thesis.

For more information, please visit the Honors Thesis in Political Science website

 

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minor minor

The Minor

A minor in political science will help students to flourish in the political environment in which their future economic and social activities will be carried on. To suit the special educational needs and objectives of individual students, appropriate substitution of designated courses may be made after consultation with the departmental advisor. Students may minor by taking 6 credits of 3000-level courses plus

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CourseNumber 4900 Discipline POL

Political Science Capstone Seminar. In order to officially become a minor in Political Science, students must submit a minor declaration form to the Registrar's Office. 

Important Advisory Regarding Capstones: At least one of the two required 3000-level courses in Political Science must be completed BEFORE taking the capstone

Showcourse v
CourseNumber 4900 Discipline POL

. (If necessary, students are permitted to take the second 3000-level course during the same semester as the capstone, but must consult with the department to do so.) Political Science does NOT offer capstone courses in winter sessions.

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Courses in Political Science

Important Note: A number of the courses listed below are not offered every semester. Please consult CUNYfirst for the information on what courses are currently being offered. 

showcourse POL 1101	American Government: Practices and Values	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 2001	The United States in an Age of Globalization	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 2240	Introduction to International Relations	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 2260	Introduction to Comparative Government	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 2280	The Great Political Debates: The Individual and Society	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 2332	American Political Thought	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 2353	Public Policy	3 hours; 3 credits
Showcourse v CourseNumber 3000 Discipline POL	Research Skills in Political Science (formerly POL 3323 Political and Administrative Research)	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3001	Women: Politics and Policy	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3005	Social Welfare Policy ( Showcourse v CourseNumber 3005 Discipline HIS )	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3008	Religion And Politics In The United States ( Showcourse v CourseNumber 3008 Discipline HIS ), Showcourse v CourseNumber 3008 Discipline REL )	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3062	Political Sociology ( Showcourse v CourseNumber 3062 Discipline SOC )	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3086	The Modern Middle East and North Africa ( Showcourse v CourseNumber 3086 Discipline HIS )	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3101	Political Psychology ( Showcourse v CourseNumber 3101 Discipline PSY )	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3102	American Conservatism: Origins, Development, And Contemporary Controversies ( Showcourse v CourseNumber 3102 Discipline HIS )	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3103	Political Economy	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3104	The Politics of the Third World	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3201	Topics in Politics and Literature ( Showcourse v CourseNumber 3201 Discipline ENG )	3 hours; 3 credits
Showcourse v CourseNumber 3220 Discipline POL	State and Local Government	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3310	Public Opinion	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3311	Political Parties and Elections	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3312	Congress and the Legislative Process	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3313	Constitutional Law	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3314	Civil Liberties	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3315	Government and the American Economy	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3316	The Presidency	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3317	The Politics of Energy and the Environment	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3318	Immigration and Integration in the United States	3 hours; 3 credits
Showcourse v CourseNumber 3319 Discipline POL	Social Movements and U.S. Politics	3 hours; 3 credits
Showcourse v CourseNumber 3321 Discipline POL	Urban Politics	3 hours; 3 credit
showcourse POL 3323	Politics and Government of New York City	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3333	Political Behavior	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3334	American Radicalism	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3335	Early Political Theory	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3336	Modern Political Theory	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3337	Contemporary Political Ideologies	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3340	Political Socialization	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3341	International Relations in the Middle East	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3342	American Foreign Policy	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3343	International Relations in Selected Areas of the World	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3344	The United Nations in World Politics	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3345	Contemporary International Conflict	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3346	The Rise of Asia in World Affairs ( Showcourse v CourseNumber 3846 Discipline AAS ), Showcourse v CourseNumber 3846 Discipline HIS )	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3347	Seminar on Political Globalization	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3361	Comparative Politics in Selected Areas of the World	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3362	European Political Systems	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3364	Latin American and Caribbean Political Systems	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3365	Asian Political Systems	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3366	African Political Systems	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3367	Comparative Revolutions	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3368	Communist Political Systems	3 hours; 3 credits
Showcourse v CourseNumber 3369 Discipline POL	Identity Politics in Comparative Perspective	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3417	Case Studies in American Government	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3422	Urban Public Policy	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3456	American Intellectual History	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3500	Political Analysis	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3842	The Making of Modern India ( Showcourse v CourseNumber 3842 Discipline AAS , Showcourse v CourseNumber 3842 Discipline HIS )	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 3999	Special Topics in Political Science	1-3 hours; 1-3 credits
showcourse POL 4900	Political Science Capstone Seminar	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 5000	Independent Study in Political Science I	Hours and credits to be arranged
showcourse POL 5001	Independent Study in Political Science II	Hours and credits to be arranged
showcourse POL 5002	Independent Study in Political Science III	Hours and credits to be arranged
Showcourse v CourseNumber 5030-5031 Discipline POL	Research Practicum in Political Science I and II	Variable (3 to 9 hours; 1 to 3 credits per semester)
showcourse POL 5452	Field Work in Government and Politics	3 hours; 3 credits
showcourse POL 6001H	Political Science Honors I	3 hours; 3 credits per semester
showcourse POL 6002H	Political Science Honors II	3 hours; 3 credits per semester

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