Political Science, BA

Location(s): California Campus, Clarion Campus, Edinboro Campus

Political Science students at Pennsylvania Western University gain a broad and sophisticated understanding of politics, including knowledge of American politics, comparative politics, international relations, law, and political theory. Students develop skills in critical thinking, information literacy, ethical reasoning, oral and written communication, and policy analysis. Through a series of carefully designed and integrated courses, students learn to use their knowledge and developed skills to address real-life problems in politics and policy and are prepared to serve roles of responsibility in the community. Students have the option of earning academic credit by participating in a politics- or law-related internship, and PennWest’s Political Science program can be complemented by one or more academic minors and, in certain cases, a second bachelor’s degree. Political Science graduates are prepared to work in almost any field, but are especially suited for exciting and rewarding careers in government, political advocacy, non-governmental organizations, and law.

Advisement Sheet

Student Learning Outcomes

Political information: Graduates can evaluate the quality of sources of political information and utilize that information ethically.
Political analysis: Graduates can apply knowledge of American politics, comparative and international politics, law, and political theory to analyze and evaluate political conditions and issues.
Political ethics: Graduates can apply ethical reasoning to evaluate normative issues in politics.
Political communication: Graduates can effectively speak and write about political conditions and issues.
Political action: Graduates can design concrete, realistic, and ethical strategies for addressing political or policy problems.

Curriculum Requirements

General Education

Oral Communication - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Written Communication - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Quantitative Reason - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Technological Literacy - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Arts and Humanities - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Arts and Humanities - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Arts and Humanities - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Social Sciences - ECON 2200 - Principles of Macroeconomics Credit Hours: 3
Social Sciences - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Social Sciences - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Natural Sciences and Tech - STAT 2020 - Elements of Statistics Credit Hours: 3
Natural Sciences and Tech - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Natural Sciences and Tech - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Student Elective Credit Hours: 3

Competencies

Quantitative Applications - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Applied Methodologies - POLI 4900 - Public Policy Analysis Credit Hours: 3
Intercultural Fluency - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Ethical Reasoning - POLI 3400 - Ancient and Medieval Political Thought Credit Hours: 3
Ethical Reasoning - POLI 3410 - Modern Political Thought Credit Hours: 3
Information Literacy - POLI 3100 - Congress and the Legislative Process Credit Hours: 3
Writing Intensive -
POLI 3100 - Congress and the Legislative Process
Credit Hours: 3
Writing Intensive -
POLI 3400 - Ancient and Medieval Political Thought
Credit Hours: 3
Writing Intensive - POLI 3510 - Constitutional Law Credit Hours: 3
Keystone Experience -
POLI 4900 - Public Policy Analysis
Credit Hours: 3

Major

Required Major Courses

POLI 1000 - Introduction to Politics Credit Hours: 3
POLI 1100 - Introduction to American Politics Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3000 - Ideas and Issues in American Politics Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3100 - Congress and the Legislative Process Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3110 - The American Presidency Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3140 - Parties, Elections, and the Media Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3400 - Ancient and Medieval Political Thought Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3410 - Modern Political Thought Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3510 - Constitutional Law Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3520 - Civil Liberties Credit Hours: 3
POLI 4900 - Public Policy Analysis Credit Hours: 3

Major Electives

POLI 3300 - International Relations Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3310 - Comparative Politics Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3350 - Politics of the World Economy Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3370 - American Foreign Policy and National Security Credit Hours: 3
Any 3000-Level POLI Course Credit Hours: 3

Total Credits: 120

Depending on the program of study, students may need to complete additional credits to ensure the total credit hour requirement is met.