Political Science, B.A.

Learning Outcomes

By the time students have finished their three introductory 2000-level courses, they will have competency in at least one of the three Learning Outcome rubrics listed under each subfield.

• Students will achieve both Program Learning Outcomes in any subfield in which they have taken one or more 3000 to 4000-level courses and/or have completed the Senior Project.

Students from the American politics subfield will be able to:

• Explain current political and governmental structures and/or processes in the United States.
• Critically analyze the social, cultural, and ideological development of American political ideas and/or institutions.

Students from the international studies subfield will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of politics, institutions, culture and governance issues within and among states, regional, international and transnational actors.
• For International Relations courses: Analyze the historical development and patterns of interaction among the above actors and evaluate the structural, ideological, social, economic, and political factors that shape those interactions.

• For Comparative Politics courses: Comprehensively synthesize in comparative context the political structures, institutions, governing processes, and cultures of a diverse selection of developed and developing countries.

Students from the political and legal theory subfield will be able to:

• Explain the great political thinkers and arguments that have shaped the development of political life in the West for over 2500 years.
• Critically analyze contemporary arguments about recurrently contested political ideas, such as equality, liberty, virtue, tolerance, and justice.