Political Science
Department Chair: Whitney Court
Faculty: Whitney Court, Pedro Dos Santos, Claire Haeg, Colin Hannigan, Scott Johnson, Philip Kronebusch, Matthew Lindstrom, James Read, Christi Siver
The political science department equips students to understand political life, to be effective citizens, and to achieve positions of political leadership. The Department makes the following mission commitments:
- We prepare students for successful careers or graduate study in government, public policy, law, business, the not-for-profit sector, and related fields.
- We expand and strengthen critical thinking, research, and communication skills of students.
- We examine politics through innovative teaching, experiential learning, and student/faculty collaboration across the main fields of political science so that students can achieve political literacy appropriate for citizenship responsibilities.
- We help our students discover and learn the concepts and theories of our discipline so they can integrate new information and events into their own worldviews.
- We encourage students to adopt the habit of the examined life, to reflect upon themselves in relationship to others, to take risks, to participate actively in political life, and to accept responsibility for their actions.
- We encourage our students to participate and accept leadership in a variety of special programs, clubs and activities both on and off campus.
- Finally, we invite students to embrace the Benedictine traditions of service, stewardship, and community.
Visit the Political Science website for more detailed information: http://www.csbsju.edu/political-science.
Acceptance to Major Requirements
Course Requirements: POLS 111 or equivalent, 121, 180, and at least one of the following: POLS 221, 222, 223, or 224
Minimum Grade and/or GPA for required courses: 2.00 GPA
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 2.00
Major (40 credits)
Required Courses:
111, 121, 180, 221.
One or more of 222, 223, and 224.
At least four (4) additional 300-level sequence courses
Senior Research Seminar
The DC Summer Study internship experience for 4 credits does not count for a 300-level sequence course requirement. Students may count no more than one pre-approved course taken on a study abroad program as a 300-level sequence course. Programs of study are developed in consultation with a faculty advisor.
Additional Requirements:
Comprehensive exam, senior year.
Minor (5 course requirement - 20 credits)
For Students Entering 2011 and After
The Political Science Minor is 20 credits and may be taken in the following concentrations:
Political Theory
Public Law
Public Policy
Global Politics
Media, Campaigns, and Elections
Political Science Minor Areas of Focus
Focus in Political Theory
POLS 111, Introduction to U.S. Politics
POLS 221, Political Theory: An Introduction
And any three of the following courses:
POLS 311, Classics of Political Theory
POLS 312, American Political Thought
POLS 313, 20th Century Political Thought
POLS 314, Feminist Political Theory
POLS 377A, Justice
Other upper division POLS courses will be counted with the approval of the department chair.
Focus in Public Law
POLS 111, Introduction to U.S. Politics
POLS 224, Courts, Law and Policy
And any three of the following courses:
POLS 320, Topics in Law
POLS 323, Constitutional Law: Structure and Power
POLS 324, Constitutional Law: Liberties and Rights
POLS 332, U.S. Congress
POLS 333, U.S. Presidency
POLS 334, U.S. Bureaucracy and Regulatory Law
Other upper division POLS courses will be counted with the approval of the department chair.
Focus in Public Policy
POLS 111, Introduction to U.S. Politics
POLS 222, Analysis of U.S. Policy and Elections
And any three of the following courses:
POLS 330, Environmental Politics and Policy
POLS 331, U.S. Parties & Elections
POLS 332, U.S. Congress
POLS 333, U.S. Presidency
POLS 334, U.S. Bureaucracy and Regulatory Law
POLS 336, State and Local Government
POLS 337, Theory of Public Policy
POLS 339, Gender and Politics
POLS 350, Topics in Public Policy
POLS 351, U.S. Foreign Policy
POLS 380C, Comparative Health Care Systems
Other upper division POLS courses will be counted with the approval of the department chair.
Focus in Media, Campaigns and Elections
POLS 111, Introduction to U.S. Politics
POLS 222, Analysis of U.S. Policy and Elections
And any three of the following courses:
POLS 331, Parties and Elections
POLS 332, U.S. Congress
POLS 333, US Presidency
POLS 336, State and Local Government
POLS 339, Gender and Politics
POLS 350B, Political Psychology and Behavior
Other upper division POLS courses will be counted with the approval of the department chair.
Focus in Global Politics
POLS 121, International Relations
POLS 223, Comparative Politics
And any three of the following courses:
POLS 342, Democratization
POLS 343, Revolutions and Social Movements
POLS 344, Middle East Politics
POLS 345, The Global South
POLS 346, Asian Politics
POLS 347, Latin American Politics
POLS 351, U.S. Foreign Policy
POLS 352, Global Gender Issues
POL 354, War Games
POLS 355, Globalization
POLS 356, Security: Defense, Diplomacy and Development
POLS 358, Topics in International Relations/Comparative Politics
POLS 380A, Ethics of War
POLS 380B, Inequity, Race, and Gender in Brazil (embedded study abroad)
POLS 380C, Comparative Health Systems
Other upper division POLS courses will be counted with the approval of the department chair.