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 - POLI 1210 - Civil Discourse & Difficult Conversations Credit Hours: 3
OR
SOCI 1210 - Civil Discourse & Difficult Conversations Credit Hours: 3
OR
COMJ 1210 - Civil Discourse & Difficult Conversations Credit Hours: 3
Written Communication - ENGL 1200 - College Composition 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 - SOCI 1000 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3
Social Sciences - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Social Sciences - Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Natural Sciences and Tech - Any Course 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 - CRJ 4400 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology Credit Hours: 3
OR
Any Course Credit Hours: 3
Applied Methodologies - POLI 4900 - Public Policy Seminar Credit Hours: 3
Intercultural Fluency - SOCI 1000 - Introduction to Sociology Credit Hours: 3
Ethical Reasoning - choose one from the following:
POLI 3370 - American Foreign Policy and National Security Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3400 - Ancient and Medieval Political Thought Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3410 - Modern Political Thought Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3530 - International Law Credit Hours: 3
Information Literacy - SOCI 2800 - Sociological Research Methods Credit Hours: 3
OR
CRJ 4400 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology Credit Hours: 3
Writing Intensive - SOCI 2800 - Sociological Research Methods
Writing Intensive - Choose one from the following:
POLI 3100 - Congress and the Legislative Process Credit Hours: 3
OR

POLI 3400 - Ancient and Medieval Political Thought
OR
POLI 3510 - Constitutional Law Credit Hours: 3
Keystone Experience - POLI 4900 - Public Policy Seminar 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 3300 - International Relations Credit Hours: 3
OR
POLI 3310 - Comparative Politics Credit Hours: 3
POLI 3990 - Special Topics in Politics Credit Hours: 3
SOCI 2800 - Sociological Research Methods Credit Hours: 3
OR
CRJ 4400 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology Credit Hours: 3
POLI 4900 - Public Policy Seminar Credit Hours: 3

Major Electives

Any POLI 3000-level or higher class; may include up to 9 credits of pre-approved courses in other disciplines

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.

Accelerated Bachelors to Masters Programs