Political Science - Pre-Law Concentration

Program Codes: BAPOLPL
Bachelor of Arts

Introduction
The political science major is designed to prepare students for graduate school, law school, and careers such as journalism, teaching, foreign service, public service, public policy, and public administration. In addition to the standard political science major,  the  department  offers  two  concentrations:  Pre-Law and International Relations. Students with an interest in other subfields of the discipline including public administration and/or policy, environmental politics, and campaigns and elections may choose to focus their studies in these areas. The department also offers three minors: political science, international relations and diplomacy, and public policy.

The department works closely with students, each of whom chooses their advisor. They meet each semester with their advisor to schedule classes for  the following semester, discuss internships, and, in the spring semester, complete a “spring review.” All majors are required (unless waived by the department) to complete an internship, study abroad program, or another department-approved  experience.  The  department  has  an  active  chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (the national political science honor society), a pre-law society, and other extracurricular activities. The department also operates a computer-assisted telephone interviewing facility where students and faculty work together to  conduct public opinion polls on  a  wide range of topics.

Mission Statement
We seek to foster life skills such as reading, writing, persuading, negotiating, and presenting; the ability to think spatially; understanding of numerical data; historical awareness; and international, cross- and multi-cultural appreciation. These life skills also include an understanding of how political scientists think, gather evidence, process data, and reach tentative conclusions. Graduates will develop an ability to think critically about political phenomena and thought, and be prepared for the worlds of work (formal employment in the labor market) and citizenship (civic and community life) and have a solid academic foundation for graduate studies or law school. Thus, specific career plans and interests aside, graduates will be well-prepared to comprehend and interact with the political world.

As liberal arts college graduates with a particular interest in politics, they should receive enough in-depth training and a wide enough breadth of perspectives to follow their own inclinations to interact politically with that world whether as “simply” citizens, professional business men and women, journalists, lawyers, interest group participants, active electoral involvement, government or private sector analysts, or academic political scientists. We attempt to reveal the importance and personal impact of political events and issues; and, more significantly, we seek to equip them to be able to understand, evaluate, and potentially shape the political events, actions, and problems/solutions of the future.

These are crucial components of a liberal arts education and, along with knowledge of politics and government, key components of the sort of civic education on which democracy depends.

Program Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the political science program, including any of its concentrations, graduates will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of foundational and contemporary political science theories; apply theoretical approaches to data analysis and practical experiences.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of relevant political science methodologies; apply relevant models of inquiry to data gathering and
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the institutions and processes associated with governance and apply this knowledge to historical and contemporary
  • Demonstrate the ability to think critically, which includes identifying and explaining issues, recognizing concepts and assumptions, acknowledging multiple perspectives, and evaluating evidence to reach
  • Demonstrate written and oral communication skills expected of a professional in the field.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of, and preparation for graduate education and careers associated with the field of political science.

 

Political Science Pre-Law Concentration

While students can attend law school after completing a range of majors, a plurality of law students majored in political science as undergraduates. The combination of skills (e.g., writing, critical thinking, analytical) and course content prepare political science students for the challenges of law school. Since 1993 our students have been accepted to dozens of law schools across the nation. Pre-Law students are designated as such on their degree and college transcript. The department has a pre-law advisor who helps students select courses and internships that will prepare them for the law school application process and the academic challenge of law school. Pre-law students are encouraged to join the Pre-Law Society and must complete the required courses for the standard political science major while selecting their elective classes from the courses listed below. A 2.5 G.P.A. must be maintained in the major.

Degrees & Certificates
Course Descriptions