Undergraduate Degrees Learning Objectives
The Department of Political Science has adopted a number of learning objectives outlined below:
Note: The applicability of specific learning objectives will vary depending on the particular emphasis students have chosen.
1. The student in the Political Science Major will demonstrate basic knowledge of the disciplinary questions in the major fields of political science. Specifically, the student will demonstrate basic knowledge and critical thinking regarding rights and duties of U.S. citizenship, United States constitutional law, public policy, political theory, international relations, and the comparative politics field, including political systems in various regions of the world, and research methods of political science.
2. The student in the Law and Constitutional Studies will also demonstrate basic knowledge in the theory, principles, history, and issues in U.S. constitutional thought.
3. The student in the Political Science Teaching Major will demonstrate basic substantive knowledge necessary to teach high school level political science.
International Studies program
This interdisciplinary program is designed to cultivate the development of language and intercultural skills; to develop understanding of global problems and circumstances; and to expand the student's capacity to make informed judgments regarding complex international and global issues.
Master Degree Learning Objectives
The graduate student will:
1. Acquire competence in the research methods of political science.
2. Acquire knowledge of the basic theories about political behavior, including the motives of policy makers and incentive structures of government.
3. Acquire knowledge of various policy issues in the areas of natural resources, health, education, and social welfare.
4. Acquire knowledge of the basic theories of international and comparative politics, especially those relating to political and economic change.
5. Acquire knowledge of an array of topics including democratization, transitions between economic systems, growth of regional economic systems, and national and ethnic conflicts.