Political Science

I.  Citizenship.

·        Demonstrate the ability to evaluate conflicting arguments and claims

·        Demonstrate regular use and understanding of a variety of news and public affairs media

·        Demonstrate knowledge of opportunities for public/political participation

·        Demonstrate willingness to participate in voluntary community and service activities 

II.  Skills.

            A.  Communication.

·        Demonstrate the ability to communicate  well in writing by such assignments as research papers, reaction papers, essay exams and journals.

·        Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in such oral exercises as speeches, debates, research reports and summaries of  reading assignments.

·        Demonstrate skill in the use of computer technology to communicate to individuals and groups through such means as E-mail, discussion rooms and website construction.

·        Demonstrate familiarity with concepts commonly used by political scientists in American government and institutions, international relations, comparative government and policy analysis 

B.  Research and Analysis

·        Demonstrate knowledge of  the most common means of analysis used by political scientists

·        Demonstrate the ability to gather information from a variety of types of sources

·        Perform critical analysis of a variety of types of information

·        Demonstrate the ability to reach logical and well substantiated  conclusions using a variety of types of information

·        Present the results of such research orally and in writing

·        Manage the problem of confronting conflicting data and interpretations 

C.  Language.

·        Complete at least a year of coursework in a foreign language.

·        Utilize that experience to improve understanding and appreciation of the English language

·        Demonstrate knowledge of other cultures that use this foreign language 

 

III.  Mastery of the Subject Matter Areas of Political Science.

 

·        Be exposed to each of the primary areas of political science, i.e., American government and institutions, normative and empirical theory, international relations, comparative government and policy analysis.

·        Demonstrate considerable knowledge about the American government, including its branches, the national, state and local government institutions, as well as the relationships among these

·        Be conversant about the major schools of political philosophy in the western, eastern and American traditions

·        Demonstrate the ability to analyze, evaluate, and interpret these schools using contemporary terms

·        Demonstrate understanding of the tools used most commonly to analyze both quantitative and qualitative political information

·        Be conversant about such international problems as war and peace, trade, economics, diplomacy, and the environment

·        Demonstrate understanding of the role and influence of the United States in the international arena

·        Be knowledgeable about the variety of institutional, procedural and legal elements of governments in the world

·        Use knowledge of other governments to enhance understanding of the American system

·        Be aware of the major areas of public policy, including the scope of governmental authority, the processes by which policy is decided, means of policy enforcement and tools for the analysis of the efficacy and consequences of policies

·        Demonstrate knowledge in several areas of political science of most interest to each student

·        Demonstrate knowledge from other social sciences and demonstrate a sense of their relationship to political science 

 

IV.  Long-term Consequences.

 

·        Demonstrate preparedness for an entry level professional position of interest to each student, OR demonstrate preparedness for admission to a graduate or professional educational program

·        Demonstrate a love of learning by continuing to take courses, to read, and to be aware of community and national affairs

·        Demonstrate the value of good citizenship by service to the community, state and nation.