The Political Science Program | Academic Requirements & Concentrations | Student Learning Outcomes | Minor in Political Science | Courses | Faculty

The Political Science B.A. Program

Political science is known as the study of laws and governments, yet it includes much more. Why did the U.S. invade Iraq? Why do many U.S. citizens feel animosity toward immigrants? What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization for developing countries? In what manner are human rights abused around the globe, and what can be done about it? What are the causes and consequences of political violence and state terrorism? What are the political aspirations of citizens in Muslim-populated countries? These are a few of the many interesting questions that a political science student explores at Purchase College.

The Political Science Program offers students the opportunity to engage in a variety of courses in American, comparative, and international politics. Students also study age-old political questions concerning equality, rights, and justice and learn how to conduct political science research.

The Political Science Program closely collaborates with other interdisciplinary programs at Purchase College, including Latin American studies, environmental studies, and gender studies. Because politics are intertwined with economic and social issues, many students choose to double-major in economics, sociology, history, or journalism. Members of the political science faculty have broad and diverse backgrounds, have won numerous awards, and have published more than 50 books and articles.

The major in political science is particularly designed for students who:

• are interested in exploring different social and political issues by taking a range of American and internationally-based courses, or
• want to have a focused study of human rights or Islam and the Middle East.

Students graduating with a degree in political science often enter public service, working for government agencies, nonprofit or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), or elected officials. Many political science alumni enroll in law school or graduate programs that focus on international affairs, while others may enter the fields of teaching or journalism.

Recent Events and Podcasts

The following link is a pod cast of a presentation by Professor Karen Kramer of Purchase College (political science) on the political upheavals in Tunisia and Egypt and the broader implications for regime stability in the Arab world. Her presentation was delivered at a conference on the Middle East at Fordham University in New York City on March 30, 2011. Professor Kramer is the second panelist to speak.

       Fordham University Panel - Professor Karen Kramer 03-30-2011 (MP3)

The following link is a pod cast of a presentation by Professor Karen Kramer of Purchase College (political science) on prospects for democratization in the Arab world in the wake of the recent unrest and political upheavals throughout the region, held at Fordham University in New York City on April 28, 2011

        Fordham University Panel - Prof. Kramer - April-27-2011 (MP3)

Purchase College Panel:  Protest and Resistance: Egypt and the Middle East 02/09/2011

Peter Schwab, Shemeem Abbas, Karen Kramer