|
|
|
Jul 12, 2025
|
|
2025-2026 Academic Catalog
Political Science, leading to a B.A. degree
|
|
|
Major Requirements
All majors will complete at least 10 courses (including the core courses), at least one of which must be a writing intensive course. In addition to the Core Classes, in close advising with department faculty, students will complete five advanced courses, at least two at the 300 level. Three of the five advanced courses must be completed in one thematic area; at least one course must be completed in two additional thematic areas. Courses cannot double count across thematic areas. Core Courses Required for Major
Additional Considerations for Majors
Introductory courses, including PSC 105 Political Ideologies , and PSC 270 Introduction to Political Science Inquiry should normally be completed by the end of the sophomore year. Majors must maintain a 2.00 GPA in political science courses to remain in good standing in the program. Normally, no more than two courses taken outside of the Muhlenberg Political Science Program will count toward the major. Internships cannot count toward major requirements. Special topics courses are frequently offered in the program. Students should consult with major advisors and the department chair to determine how particular special topics courses fit into thematic areas. PSC 490 CUE: Senior Capstone Seminar is open to seniors only. The CUE is normally offered once per year, during the Spring semester. Thematic Areas
- States, Conflict, and Culture
- Problems in Democracy
- Institutions, Processes, and Public Policy
- (In)Equality, Justice, and Power
- Citizenship and Political Engagement
States, Conflict, and Culture
Why do states and nations struggle to develop? How and why does development lead to, or prevent, conflict - or peace? What causes conflict and how does political science evaluate war morally, strategically, theoretically? What are the mechanisms for achieving peace? How are constructions of identity linked to conflict and development? Problems in Democracy
What is democracy? What are its various interpretations? If democracy is “rule by the people,” then who are the people and what does it mean to rule? What kinds of political institutions and ideologies promote, hinder, or erode democracy and democratization? How do economic and social structures and culture affect the health of democracy Institutions, Processes, and Public Policy
How do institutions, political processes, and public policies create and interpret the rules of the game through which politics is played? How and with what kinds of consequences do institutions shape and constrain individual behavior, political action, and public policy? How do ideas and ideologies shape institutions, political processes, and policies and what are the consequences for individuals and for government systems? What causes institutions to emerge? How and why do they change, persist, and decay? (In)Equality, Justice, and Power
Who gets what, when, where, and how? How do social, economic, and political inequalities promote or hinder justice? How do political scientists understand power and how does power constitute politics? How do interpretations of equality and justice shape the struggle for power? How are varied identities - such as race, gender, ethnic or national identity, class, economic position, religion, sexual identity - linked to questions about justice and power in national and international contexts? Democracy, Citizenship and Political Engagement
How do individuals, groups, and organized interests participate in the political world? Political engagement shapes and is shaped by institutions, cultures, media, law, ideologies, and organizations. What are the varied ways people participate - voting, protest, running for office, joining groups - across different contexts and why are some forms of engagement more effective than others? - PSC 205 - Constitutional Law I Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 207, 208 - Constitutional Law II Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 211 - Law and Society Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 223 - Political Organization & Democratic Voice: Parties, Interest Groups, & Citizens in U.S. Politics Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 229, 230 - Islam, Populism, and Political Change in Europe Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 248, 249 - Governments & Politics of the Middle East Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 260, 261 - American Political Thought Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 262, 263 - Utopia & Its Critics Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 264 - Politics & Public Space Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 348, 349 - Democratic Theory Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 360 - Regimes & Regime Changes Course unit(s): 1
- PSC 374, 375 - Government & Politics of Russia Course unit(s): 1
|
|
|
|
|
|
