Program Description

The Political Science Program offers students an opportunity to discuss and debate current domestic and international issues. In addition, students systematically examine political problems, ideologies, government institutions, and political economy. The major is divided into two broad areas of study—U.S. politics and law, and comparative politics and international relations—augmented by courses in political theory and research methods. Successful completion of the program provides students with the skills necessary for graduate school, law school, or other professional work in government or policy analysis.

Program Faculty

Requirements for the Major

• Introduction to U.S. Politics
• Political Theory I or II
• Research in Political Science
• Macroeconomic Theory I
• Two courses in U.S. politics and law at the 2000 level or above
• Two courses in comparative politics and international relations at the 2000 level or above
• Senior Project in Political Science

Representative Elective Courses

Government and Politics Worldwide
Introduction to International Relations
Women and Politics
West African Politics and Literature
Environmental Justice
Islam: Culture and Politics
The Islamic State, Heresy, and Freedom of Speech
Race and Politics
Immigration: Policy, Problems, and Politics
Courts, Judges, and Politics
Women in Developing Countries
Contemporary Revolutions
Sex, Politics, and Health
American Constitutional Law
U.S. Foreign Policy Since 1945
Race, Gender, and the Law
Women’s Rights as Human Rights
The Nature and Function of Law
Globalization, Development, and Poverty
Gender Politics and Islam
Gender and Health: International Issues
Political Protest and Ideologies
Development and Politics of Latin America
Constitutions and Rights: U.S. and China
United States/Latin American Relations
Cuba and the U.S.
Human Rights
Politics and Religion in America
The Middle East

Representative Alumni

• Susan Isaacs Biro ’80, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief judge
• Kat Callo ’81, founding director and strategy consultant, Rosetta Consulting Ltd., London, England
• James Cruickshank ’86, director of research and development and New Orleans coordinator for Katrina recovery, Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Washington, D.C.
• John Cruickshank ’86, program and grant analyst, Division of Research on Learning for Micronesia and the Caribbean, National Science Foundation, Washington, D.C.
• I. Braun Degenshein ’84, entertainment and intellectual properties attorney
• Abel Ferrara ’73, film director; credits include King of New York, Bad Lieutenant, The Addiction, and The Funeral
• Risa Bell Hoag ’85, president, GMG Public Relations
• Kenneth Powers ’02, attorney
• Susan Spencer ’91, associate director for consumer relations—Asia, Proctor & Gamble

For more information, visit the Political Science site in Academic Programs.

Updated May 27, 2008