The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a Major in Political Science at the University of West Georgia offers a course of study leading to an Undergraduate Degree in Political Science. The B.A. degree program has the same course requirements as the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program within the Political Science major. In addition to these courses, the B.A. requires that students take two years of a foreign language (through the 2002 level) as part of their general education courses and that students select an appropriate minor.
For more information, please see the Academic Catalog. A program map, which provides a guide for students to plan their course of study, is available for download in the Courses tab below.
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Overview
In addition to the four required courses in political science subfields and senior seminar, students who select the Bachelor of Arts option, a general liberal arts program, are required to study a foreign language of their choice and to select an appropriate minor.
Program Location
Carrollton Campus
Accreditation
The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Credit and transfer
Total semester hours required: 124
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Cost
This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.
Save money
UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.
Details
- Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
- The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
- Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
- Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
- Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
- One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
- For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website
There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.
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Courses
Downloads
Major Selects
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POLS-2601 - Introduction to Political Science Inquiry
Students are introduced to various qualitative and quantitative methods used in the social sciences. They learn how to find, evaluate and ethically use appropriate information to conduct political science research. They construct research questions and write research papers using case studies, comparative methods and statistics.
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POLS-3101 - American Political Institutions
An analysis of the roles of the policy making processes, power, procedures, relationships, and history of American national governmental institutions.
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POLS-3102 - Gender and Politics
This course is an introductory course that examines the role of gender in the field of political science. This course will explore gender oriented approaches to the range of subjects in political science (comparative politics, American politics, political theory, and international relations.)
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POLS-3103 - Media and Politics
Analysis of the role of the mass media in American politics, including the impact of media coverage on public and elite opinions and the interactions between the media and public institutions.
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POLS-3201 - Public Policy
An analysis of diverse public policy issues, as well as the decision process leading to the formulation of government policy. An analysis of societal factors that influence policy, and the effect of government policy on society.
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POLS-3301 - The Judicial Process
An introduction and survey of legal process in American society.
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POLS-3401 - Comparative Politics
Comparative Politics is the study of the political forces, institutions, and practices of countries in order to describe, explain, predict political events.
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POLS-3402 - Politics of Western Europe
This course explores the political systems of Western Europe. It investigates basic issues of political arrangements, political parties, and the challenges faced by each nation. It also explores the rise and expanding powers of the European Union. Topics will include government formation, the role of political parties, and how policy is made, among others. Countries will include Britain, France, and Germany, among others.
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POLS-3501 - International Relations
This is an analysis of the contemporary international system. The course will examine foreign policy decision-decision-making, the use of power, the causes of war, and the role of international law and organizations.
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POLS-3601 - Political Analysis
POLS 3601 Political Science Methods II Credits: 3.0 As a sequence of POLS 2601, this course focuses on quantitative research methods for political science. Students are introduced to quantitative data collection methods and basic statistical analyses. Lecture: 3.00 Lab: .00 College: College of Social Sciences Department: Political Science/Planning Pre-requisites: POLS 2601
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POLS-4101 - Legislative Process
A study of the role, functions, and organization of the U.S. Congress and state legislatures with special attention to the Georgia General Assembly. Theories of representation and legislative voting patterns are examined, and comparisons between the American political process and that of parliamentary systems made.
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POLS-4102 - The Presidency
This course focuses not only upon the institutional and legal frameworks set out in the constitution regarding the Presidency, but also upon the historical, philosophical, psychological, and sociological aspects of the office. The American system of checks and balances is compared to that of parliamentary democracies.
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POLS-4103 - Public Opinion
This course examines the nature and development of public opinion in America and the interaction between public opinion and government. The influence of public opinion on government institutions and public policy formation in America and the impact of government upon citizens' attitudes and opinions are explored.
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POLS-4186 - Internship in Government
Students may receive academic credit for personal experience in the political process and/or public employment. Credit hours only apply toward electives.
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POLS-4200 - Principles of Public Administration
An introductory examination of the characteristics of the public organization and its impact on society. Analysis of the theories of public administration, personnel issues, budgetary activities, legal dynamics, as well as historical development of the field are included.
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POLS-4202 - Interorganizational Behavior
An examination of the interactions between various levels of government, nonprofit and private organizations in the federal system.
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POLS-4204 - Public Finance
A study of the equity and economic effects of government spending programs, taxes, and debt. The course is primarily applied microeconomics. Same as ECON 4440.
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POLS-4207 - Technology Policy
Technology Policy will emphasize the development of national and state energy, manufacturing, information, and medical technology policies and how they structure society, business, and, in turn, government. Interactive exercises foster student understanding of the issues, groups involved and the dynamics of change.
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POLS-4208 - Health Policy
This course examines the health policy process at the national, state, and local levels, with a detailed look at the steps in the process, groups involved, and resultant policies. Through group exercises, each student will experience the policy process, gain an understanding of the dynamics of change, and develop the ability to form coherent policies.
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POLS-4209 - Environmental Policy
Environmental Policy will emphasize the national and state policy making process, focusing on the dynamics of pluralist change, policy implementation and current environmental status.
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POLS-4210 - Public Management
Various changes in the management of public organizations are identified and analyzed. Includes the role of technology, modification of the relationship between public and private spheres, and current trends in the management of change and supervision of a diverse work force.
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POLS-4211 - State and Local Politics and Administration
An in-depth study of the political process and administrative procedures used in American state and local governments to address social, economic and political issues. Comparative analysis of relevant actors and strategies across the states is incorporated.
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POLS-4212 - State and Local Government Finance
Exploration of rationale for public revenues and expenditures, with emphasis on practical application and current state and local finance issues.
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POLS-4213 - Comparative Public Administration and Policy
This course is an introduction to Comparative Public Administration and Policy. Focusing primarily on democratic states, it explores recent innovation in public administration and policy evolution and transformation within the context of the modern welfare state. It examines the institutions and political setting in several countries, which will include both advanced industrial countries and developing nations, and addresses policy areas ranging from social welfare to environmental politics.
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POLS-4214 -
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POLS-4215 - Management of Non-Profit Organizations
This course is designed to explore the theoretical principles and practical applications of management for charities and/or nonprofit organizations. The underlying thesis of this course is that by understanding fundamental principles such as developing effective mission and objectives statements, fundraising, marketing and accounting strategies, nonprofits can become more effective and responsive to their constituency's needs. The course will include a field research component.
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POLS-4301 - Constitutional Law I
Study of the constitutional divisions of power among the branches of the national government and between the national and state governments.
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POLS-4302 - Constitutional Law II
Study of the application and interpretation of the constitutional protections by the American courts.
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POLS-4401 - African Politics
Designed to be an introductory course, this course examines, in historical perspective, the current politics systems, movements and cultures of sub-Sahara Africa. The course will also examine the African diaspora to the U.S. and its impact on the American political system.
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POLS-4402 - Russian Politics
This is an examination of the domestic politics and foreign policy of the Russian Federation. The course analyzes the institutions of the Russian government as well as the influence of ideological, political, social, economic and international factors in the decision-making process.
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POLS-4403 - Latin American Politics
This is an examination of the government and politics of Latin America. The course analyzes political culture and socialization, party and interest group activity, government structures and public policy formation, issues of political and economic development.
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POLS-4405 - Politics in the European Union
This course is an introduction to the history, political institutions, and policy of the European Union. In the past half-century, the EU has grown from a set of weak and poorly defined institutions with a limited policy domain and an emphasis on national sovereignty into an extensive political system with increasingly strong supranational actors influencing all aspects of political and economic life.
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POLS-4406 - British Politics
This course analyzes the politics of the United Kingdom, investigating the Norman roots of British politics. It focuses on the evolution and functioning of the current political system and the institutional structure of Britain. We discuss who has the power and how it is used. The course also addresses the interplay between a unitary state structure and regionalism in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England as well as cultural and political identity in those regions.
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POLS-4407 - European Environmental Policy
This course is a survey of the critical issues that define the relationship between environmental quality and the course of European integration. These include the historical origins of environmental policy, the difficulties of implementing changing regulations, the role of EU governance in policy implementation, and the future prospects for the EU's success in environmental regulation (with an occasional glance at environmental policy in the United States).
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POLS-4408 - EU Science & Technology Policy
This class will examine Science and Technology Policy, with particular attention to the European Union and (for comparison) the United States. The course begins with an overview of technological innovation, and of the current state of science and policymaking in the EU and the US. The class then examines how governments can encourage scientific and technological innovation, and concludes by asking whether government and society can (or should) try to limit or control technological innovation.
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POLS-4409 - Democracy and Democratization
This course analyzes the concept of democracy and the process of democratization around the world. First, we will discuss the range of definitions of democracy, and some of the difficulties associated with the concept and its measure. Second, we will examine how key regime characteristics lead to different modes of democratic transitions, and we will identify the key determinants of democratic consolidation. Finally we will study the process of democratic erosion and breakdown through the experiences of Germany, Chile, Russia, and other cases around the world. At the end of the central problems that plague transition and consolidation processes, and synthesize the key findings and conclusions about democratization.
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POLS-4411 - Federalism and Multilevel Governance in the EU
Students taking this course will learn about the different types of federalism in a comparative (US-Europe) context. In examining the relationship between various levels of government in the EU, the multi-level character of the Union will emerge. The complex relationship between levels of government will be examined.
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POLS-4412 - Democracy & the EU
This course analyzes the concepts of democracy and the process of democratization around the world. First, we will discuss the range of definitions of democracy, and some of the difficulties associated with the concept and it measures. Second, we will examine how key regime characteristics lead to different modes of democratic transitions, and we will identify the key determinants of democratic consolidation. Finally, we study the process of democratic erosion and breakdown.
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POLS-4413 - Social Policy in Europe
This course examines the history of social policy in the European Union, and the course focuses on the current social policy arrangements in Europe and in the European Union. We will examine gender policy, education, child care, elder care, and other policies in the context of improving social conditions in the domestic policy arena.
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POLS-4414 - History of European Integration
This course examines the different integrational pushes in Europe, including the EU. We will compare various regional organizations and examine the reasons that the EU has survived, grown, and prospered when several other alternatives did not.
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POLS-4462 -
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POLS-4501 - International Law
This is an introductory course designed to familiarize students with the body of international law, its applicability, and the existing organs or arbitration and adjudication. The course examines the role of international courts, laws of war and peace, human rights law, migration law and the role of the individual in international law.
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POLS-4502 -
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POLS-4503 - International Organizations
This is an analysis of international organizations with an emphasis on the United Nations. The course examines the role of the UN in peacekeeping, collective security, economic development, and human rights.
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POLS-4504 - International Political Econmy
This course analyzes the politics of international economic relations, investigating the roots and evolution of the international political economy since World War II, and focusing on the rise and implications of global economic governance and globalization. The course will address the interplay between politics and economics in a range of different issue areas, including the international financial system, international trade, and attempts at regional economic integration.
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POLS-4505 - American Foreign Policy
This course is designed as an upper division reading course in American foreign policy. This course will discuss the foreign policy process, a brief history of American foreign policy and its traditions, the inputs and outputs that make up foreign policy and a variety of approaches to understanding foreign policy. The goal of the course is to provide students with the theoretical and analytical tools needed to be intelligent consumers of foreign policy. The course will incorporate current events in American foreign policy as a means of demonstrating the academic concepts of the course in practice.
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POLS-4506 - International Conflict and Conflict Management
This course is about violent conflict in the international system. The course will focus on the sources of conflict in international relations and the factors that contribute to conflicts of interest escalating to violent conflict. This course will examine the types of violence in the international system (interstate war, internationalized civil war, state failure, and violence by non-state violent actors) and the steps that have been taken to reduce and eliminate armed conflict (traditional alliances, collective security, arms reduction, non-proliferation efforts, and international law). In addition, this course will explore the changing nature of violence in the international system in areas such as the privatization of military force and the increasing role of non-state violent actors in international politics.
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POLS-4507 - US-EU Relations
This course examines political institutions in the European Union and the United States and how the factors of culture, ideology, history, structure, and political leadership shape action in key policy arenas. The course is focused on the history of the relationship between the EU and the US and on current issues in the transatlantic relationship.
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POLS-4508 - European Economic and Monetary Union
This course addresses the core policies of the enlarged European Union, focusing on those relating to money and monetary decision making. It analyzes the evolution of the major policy areas and institutions, as well as the evolution of the European Monetary System as a whole. It examines the emergence of the Euro and focuses on recent economic trends and problems in the Euro-zone.
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POLS-4509 - EU Law & Legal Systems
This course focuses on the legal institutions that constitute the European Union and the legal processes of those institutions. The course examines the body of law, both static and dynamic, on which these institutions rest and that have been produced by the institutions themselves. This law includes the several treaties that provide the legal basis of the EU; the body of statutory law enacted by the Parliament, the Council, and the Commission; and the judicial decisions adjudicated by the Court of Justice and the Court of First Instance; and finally, the administrative rulings issued by the European Ombudsman.
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POLS-4510 - Foreign Policy & the EU
The course explores regionalism in international relations with a focus on how its growing complexity reflects the variations in regional political, social, and cultural contexts. The early part of the course focuses on theories of regional integration. The remainder of the course will examine these three regions of the world in light of these theories. We will explore differences in institutional design, goals, and scale across these regions and how these differences reflect the particular context of these regions. We will focus on three intergovernmental institutions: The European Union, The North American Free Trade Agreement, and the African Union (formerly the Organization of African Unity). Special attention shall be given to the role of the EU as an exemplar of regional integration and its influence in the evolution and design of the other two organizations.
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POLS-4601 - Ancient and Medieval Political Thought
A critical reading of selected works by major ancient and medieval western political thinkers, e.g., Sophocles, Thucydides, Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, and Machievelli.
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POLS-4602 - Modern Political Thought
A critical reading of the major works which form the basis for political thinking in modern times. Authors include such thinkers as Hobbes, Rousseau, Marx, Hegel, and Nietzsche, exploring issues like freedom, family, community,order, and the modern state.
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POLS-4603 - American Political Thought
A critical reading of selected essays, speeches, debates, and literary works from America's great and unique political tradition. The course will focus on various major themes, for instance, commerce, freedom, justice, race, democracy, representation, community, or family life.
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POLS-4705 -
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POLS-4981 - Directed Reading in Political Science
In-depth, individualized research on specific political problems and issues.
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POLS-4984 - Senior Seminar
The Senior Seminar is a capstone course that offers students a broad overview of the disciple of political science. The specific purpose of this course is to identify and to concentrate on remedying deficiencies in individual student programs of study. Required of all Political Science majors.
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POLS-4985 - Problems in Politics
Specialized areas of analysis in a subfield of political science with the specific titles announced in the class schedule and entered on the students' transcripts. Students may repeat the course for credit as topics change.
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Faculty
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Dylan S. McLean, Ph.D.Associate ProfessorView Profile- 678-839-4989
- dmclean@westga.edu
- Pafford Social Science Building 123
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Karen OwenAssociate Professor and Director of the Thomas B. Murphy Center for Public ServiceView Profile -
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Paul Rutledge, Ph.D.Professor and ChairView Profile- 678-839-4997
- prutledg@westga.edu
- Pafford Social Science Building 228
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Robert SchaeferProfessor of Political ScienceView Profile- 678-839-4999
- rschaefe@westga.edu
- Pafford Social Science Building 138
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Admissions
Guidelines for Admittance
Each UWG online degree program has specific requirements that you must meet in order to enroll.
- Complete online application. A one-time application fee of $40 is required.
- Official transcripts from all schools attended. Official transcripts are sent from a regionally or nationally accredited institution.
- Verify specific requirements associated with specific populations identified here: Freshman Adult Learners Transfer International Home School Joint / Dual Enrollment Transient Auditor Post-Baccalaureate Non-Degree Seeking Readmission
Admission Process Checklist
- Review Admission Requirements for the different programs and guides for specific populations (non-traditional, transfer, transient, home school, joint enrollment students, etc).
- Review important deadlines:
- Fall semester: June 1 (undergrads)
- Spring semester: November 15 (undergrads)
- Summer semester: May 15 (undergrads)
See program specific calendars here
- Complete online application
Undergraduate Admissions Guide
Undergraduate Application
Undergraduate International Application - Submit $40 non-refundable application fee
- Submit official documents
Request all official transcripts and test scores be sent directly to UWG from all colleges or universities attended. If a transcript is mailed to you, it cannot be treated as official if it has been opened. Save time by requesting transcripts be sent electronically.
Undergraduate & Graduate Applicants should send all official transcripts to:
Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Murphy Building
University of West Georgia
1601 Maple Street
Carrollton, GA 30118-4160 - Submit a Certificate of Immunization, if required. If you will not ever be traveling to a UWG campus or site, you may apply for an Immunization Exemption. Contact the Immunization Clerk with your request.
- Check the status of your application
Contact
Dr. Paul Rutledge, Chair
prutledg@westga.edu
678-839-4997 -
Dates
Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate only), Financial Aid, Fee Payments, Registration, Start/End of term, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.
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Objectives
Bachelor of Arts students will demonstrate that they have developed:
- An understanding of American civic culture and civic cultures of other societies.
- An understanding of the institutional, political and legal processes of the United States and Georgia.
- An understanding of the public policies of the U.S. and the ways in which they are carried out through the political process.
- An understanding of the basic theories and concepts of the subfields of political science.
- An understanding of the relationship between the basic theories and concepts of the subfields of political science.
- The knowledge and skills appropriate for employment or professional training in relevant public service careers.
- The ability to apply social science and statistical methods to practical problems within the discipline.
- The ability to communicate their knowledge orally and in writing.