Political Science

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The mission of the Political Science Department at ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ is to develop men who will create policies and practices that improve the lived conditions of African people. We do this by fostering students窶� interest in politics, arming students with the analytical tools to understand the nature of public life and policy, and enhancing students窶� ability to learn.

Majors and Minors

Program at a Glance

Get ready to lead the citizenry.

Department

Students study systems of government, political theory, and the intersection of politics with race and culture. Students learn to analyze local, national, and international government systems and prepare to become engaged and active citizens.

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Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

To graduate with a major in political science, a student must complete 40 credit hours distributed as follows. Students must earn a grade of C or better for all major courses.

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Minor in Political Science

Students electing to minor in political science must complete 18 hours in the discipline with no grade less than C.

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Pre-Law Program

ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ offers a pre-law program that prepares students for careers in the legal field.

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About Political Science

Overview

Coursework in political science was initiated in 1948 by the late Dr. Robert Brisbane, who sought to augment a traditional political science curriculum with an emphasis on more engaged teaching, learning, and scholarship. 窶廝lack Protest窶� was Dr. Brisbane窶冱 signature course, which inspired generations of political science graduates in the ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ tradition of service and leadership. We carry forth Dr. Brisbane窶冱 legacy from our First-Year Experience general education course, 窶弃olitics and Protest,窶� through our elective offerings on subjects including Black political thought and African politics to our senior seminar, which gives students an opportunity to develop independent research.

The College窶冱 pre-law program is based in our department, as is the College窶冱 nationally-renowned Moot Court team . Preparation for graduate school, especially law school, has always been a principal departmental objective. Our placement record is a testament to this, as our students continue to be admitted to top Ph.D. programs and law schools, and ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ remains the nation窶冱 top feeder school for Black male law students.
Earn the Major
Curriculum

Major Course of Study Requirements

To graduate with a major in political science, a student must complete 43 credit hours distributed as follows. Students must earn a grade of C or better for all major courses. The core consists of HPSC 228 Comparative Politics, HPSC 251 National Government of the United States, HPSC 253 Scope and Methods in Political Science, HPSC 253L Scope and Methods Data Lab, HPSC 285 Introduction to International Relations, HPSC 294 Introduction to Political Theory, HPSC 348 American Constitutional Law, HPSC 497 Senior Seminar in Political Science, HECO 201 Macroeconomics and HECO 202 Microeconomics. In addition, there are 12 hours of electives and three hours of a special skills course that are required for completion of the major.

General Education (Core)
33-48 hours

Refer to the general education requirements for more information.

Political Science Major
42 hours

Core Curriculum
- HPSC 228窶�
  Comparative Politics
- HPSC 251窶� National Government of the United States
- HPSC 253窶� Scope and Methods in Political Science
- HPSC 253L窶� Scope and Methods Data Lab
- HPSC 285窶� Introduction to International Relations
- HPSC 294窶� Introduction to Political Theory
- HPSC 348窶� American Constitutional Law
- HPSC 497窶� Senior Seminar in Political Science
Cognate Courses
- HECO 201窶� Macroeconomics
- HECO 202窶� Microeconomics
Special Skills Requirement (choose one course)
- HCOM 253窶� Public Speaking
- HCOM 351窶� Professional Communication
- HCOM 352窶� Communication in Small Groups and Teams
- HCOM 354窶� Intercultural Communication
- HCOM 355窶� Argumentation and Debate
Approved Electives

Each student is required to choose four upper-level courses. These courses can come from any subject area: American government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. Students may take only one of these four courses outside of the department窶背hether through cross-registration, study abroad, or transfer. Directed study and internships do not count as one of these courses. HPSC 351窶� Introduction to Moot Court does count as one of these courses. HPSC 354窶� Moot Court Skills Practicum does not count as one of these courses.

American Government and Politics
- HPSC 321窶� The American Presidency
- HPSC 322窶� The American Congress
- HPSC 350窶� Race and Law
- HPSC 351窶� Introduction to Moot Court
- HPSC 371窶� Introduction to Public Management
- HPSC 372窶� Urban Management and Policy Analysis
- HPSC 410窶� Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups
- HPSC 411窶� Financial Management in Local Government
- HPSC 429窶� Seminar in Policy and Urban Politics
- HPSC 460窶� Black Politics
Comparative Politics
- HPSC 302窶� Third World Politics
- HPSC 475窶� Latin American Politics
- HPSC 476窶� Political Anthropology
- HPSC 477窶� Contemporary African Politics
- HPSC 486窶� Political Ideologies
International Relations
- HPSC 385窶� Theories of International Relations
- HPSC 468窶� Seminar on International Security after the Cold War
- HPSC 479窶� Comparative Foreign Policy
- HPSC 482窶� International Ethics
- HPSC 484窶� International Law
- HPSC 487窶� International Organizations
- HPSC 488窶� International Political Economy
- HPSC 489窶� Problems of International Politics
- HPSC 490窶� Conflict and Conflict Resolution
- HPSC 491窶� Diplomacy
Political Theory
- HPSC 361窶� Ethics and Public Policy
- HPSC 461窶� History of Political Thought
- HPSC 462窶� Modern Political Theory
- HPSC 463窶� Contemporary Theories of Justice
- HPSC 464窶� Black Political Thought
- HPSC 482窶� International Ethics
- HPSC 486窶� Political Ideologies
Earn the Minor
Curriculum

MINOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Students electing to minor in political science must complete 18 hours in the discipline with no grade less than C. The following courses constitute the minor:
- PSC 228窶� Comparative Politics
- PSC 251窶� National Government of the United States
- PSC 253窶� Scope and Methods in Political Science
- PSC 285窶� Introduction to International Relations
- PSC 294窶� Introduction to Political Theory
- One elective course in political science

Coursework in political science was initiated in 1948 by the late Dr. Robert Brisbane, who sought to augment a traditional political science curriculum with an emphasis on more engaged teaching, learning, and scholarship. 窶廝lack Protest窶� was Dr. Brisbane窶冱 signature course, which inspired generations of political science graduates in the ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ tradition of service and leadership. We carry forth Dr. Brisbane窶冱 legacy from our First-Year Experience general education course, 窶弃olitics and Protest,窶� through our elective offerings on subjects including Black political thought and African politics to our senior seminar, which gives students an opportunity to develop independent research.

The College窶冱 pre-law program is based in our department, as is the College窶冱 nationally-renowned Moot Court team . Preparation for graduate school, especially law school, has always been a principal departmental objective. Our placement record is a testament to this, as our students continue to be admitted to top Ph.D. programs and law schools, and ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ remains the nation窶冱 top feeder school for Black male law students.

Curriculum

Major Course of Study Requirements

To graduate with a major in political science, a student must complete 43 credit hours distributed as follows. Students must earn a grade of C or better for all major courses. The core consists of HPSC 228 Comparative Politics, HPSC 251 National Government of the United States, HPSC 253 Scope and Methods in Political Science, HPSC 253L Scope and Methods Data Lab, HPSC 285 Introduction to International Relations, HPSC 294 Introduction to Political Theory, HPSC 348 American Constitutional Law, HPSC 497 Senior Seminar in Political Science, HECO 201 Macroeconomics and HECO 202 Microeconomics. In addition, there are 12 hours of electives and three hours of a special skills course that are required for completion of the major.

General Education (Core)
33-48 hours

Refer to the general education requirements for more information.

Political Science Major
42 hours

Core Curriculum

HPSC 228窶�
Comparative Politics
HPSC 251窶� National Government of the United States
HPSC 253窶� Scope and Methods in Political Science
HPSC 253L窶� Scope and Methods Data Lab
HPSC 285窶� Introduction to International Relations
HPSC 294窶� Introduction to Political Theory
HPSC 348窶� American Constitutional Law
HPSC 497窶� Senior Seminar in Political Science

Cognate Courses

HECO 201窶� Macroeconomics
HECO 202窶� Microeconomics

Special Skills Requirement (choose one course)

HCOM 253窶� Public Speaking
HCOM 351窶� Professional Communication
HCOM 352窶� Communication in Small Groups and Teams
HCOM 354窶� Intercultural Communication
HCOM 355窶� Argumentation and Debate

Approved Electives

Each student is required to choose four upper-level courses. These courses can come from any subject area: American government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. Students may take only one of these four courses outside of the department窶背hether through cross-registration, study abroad, or transfer. Directed study and internships do not count as one of these courses. HPSC 351窶� Introduction to Moot Court does count as one of these courses. HPSC 354窶� Moot Court Skills Practicum does not count as one of these courses.

American Government and Politics

HPSC 321窶� The American Presidency
HPSC 322窶� The American Congress
HPSC 350窶� Race and Law
HPSC 351窶� Introduction to Moot Court
HPSC 371窶� Introduction to Public Management
HPSC 372窶� Urban Management and Policy Analysis
HPSC 410窶� Political Parties, Elections, and Interest Groups
HPSC 411窶� Financial Management in Local Government
HPSC 429窶� Seminar in Policy and Urban Politics
HPSC 460窶� Black Politics

Comparative Politics

HPSC 302窶� Third World Politics
HPSC 475窶� Latin American Politics
HPSC 476窶� Political Anthropology
HPSC 477窶� Contemporary African Politics
HPSC 486窶� Political Ideologies

International Relations

HPSC 385窶� Theories of International Relations
HPSC 468窶� Seminar on International Security after the Cold War
HPSC 479窶� Comparative Foreign Policy
HPSC 482窶� International Ethics
HPSC 484窶� International Law
HPSC 487窶� International Organizations
HPSC 488窶� International Political Economy
HPSC 489窶� Problems of International Politics
HPSC 490窶� Conflict and Conflict Resolution
HPSC 491窶� Diplomacy

Political Theory

HPSC 361窶� Ethics and Public Policy
HPSC 461窶� History of Political Thought
HPSC 462窶� Modern Political Theory
HPSC 463窶� Contemporary Theories of Justice
HPSC 464窶� Black Political Thought
HPSC 482窶� International Ethics
HPSC 486窶� Political Ideologies

Curriculum

MINOR IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Students electing to minor in political science must complete 18 hours in the discipline with no grade less than C. The following courses constitute the minor:

PSC 228窶� Comparative Politics
PSC 251窶� National Government of the United States
PSC 253窶� Scope and Methods in Political Science
PSC 285窶� Introduction to International Relations
PSC 294窶� Introduction to Political Theory
One elective course in political science

More about our Pre-Law Program

Program Components

Pre-law includes three components: curriculum analysis, individualized advisement, and student activity.

窶｢ Curriculum analysis begins with the consideration of courses at ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ that will enhance the performance of the student on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), overall study during a three-year program at law school and passage of a state bar examination at the conclusion of law school.
窶｢ Individualized pre-law advising is the critical link between the student and entry into the field of law.
窶｢ Student activity promotes student involvement in all activities that sharpen communication, critical thinking, and analytical experience. These student activities at ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ now include Moot Court, debate, directed study, internship service and writing in the field of law. Any activity that may improve analytical writing and reading comprehension may also be included.
窶｢ Pre-law at ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ includes these elements: The ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ-Spelman Pre-Law Society, the Pre-Law Fraternity (Phi Alpha Delta), the Moot Court Team, and a Student Advisory Board
Recommended Courses

It is strongly recommended that future law students take the following courses during their first three years at ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ:

窶｢ HENG 265 Advanced Composition
窶｢ HPHI 202 Critical Thinking
窶｢ HPHI 301 Formal Logic
窶｢ HPSC 348 American Constitutional Law

Consistent with the goals of enhanced analytical thinking, it is recommended that a future law student, when possible, also take one or more of the following courses as well:

窶｢ HBUS 323 Comprehensive Business Law
窶｢ HENG 241 Literary Form
窶｢ HHIS 476 Seminar in Recent United States History
窶｢ HMTH 211 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics
窶｢ HPHI 20 Introduction to Philosophy
窶｢ HPSC 350 Race and Law
窶｢ HPSC 351 Introduction to Moot Court
窶｢ HPSC 385 Theories of International Relations
窶｢ HPSC 461 History of Political Thought
窶｢ HPSC 484 International Law
窶｢ HPSC 490 Conflict and Conflict Resolution
窶｢ HSOC 215 Criminology
窶｢ HSOC 307 History of Social Thought
窶｢ HSOC 407 Contemporary Sociological Theory
窶｢ HSOC 414 Political Sociology
窶｢ HSOC 416 Law and Society16 Law and Society

Pre-law includes three components: curriculum analysis, individualized advisement, and student activity.

窶｢ Curriculum analysis begins with the consideration of courses at ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ that will enhance the performance of the student on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), overall study during a three-year program at law school and passage of a state bar examination at the conclusion of law school.
窶｢ Individualized pre-law advising is the critical link between the student and entry into the field of law.
窶｢ Student activity promotes student involvement in all activities that sharpen communication, critical thinking, and analytical experience. These student activities at ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ now include Moot Court, debate, directed study, internship service and writing in the field of law. Any activity that may improve analytical writing and reading comprehension may also be included.
窶｢ Pre-law at ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ includes these elements: The ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ-Spelman Pre-Law Society, the Pre-Law Fraternity (Phi Alpha Delta), the Moot Court Team, and a Student Advisory Board

It is strongly recommended that future law students take the following courses during their first three years at ﾂ鮟ｨﾊﾓﾆｵ:

窶｢ HENG 265 Advanced Composition
窶｢ HPHI 202 Critical Thinking
窶｢ HPHI 301 Formal Logic
窶｢ HPSC 348 American Constitutional Law

Consistent with the goals of enhanced analytical thinking, it is recommended that a future law student, when possible, also take one or more of the following courses as well:

窶｢ HBUS 323 Comprehensive Business Law
窶｢ HENG 241 Literary Form
窶｢ HHIS 476 Seminar in Recent United States History
窶｢ HMTH 211 Introduction to Discrete Mathematics
窶｢ HPHI 20 Introduction to Philosophy
窶｢ HPSC 350 Race and Law
窶｢ HPSC 351 Introduction to Moot Court
窶｢ HPSC 385 Theories of International Relations
窶｢ HPSC 461 History of Political Thought
窶｢ HPSC 484 International Law
窶｢ HPSC 490 Conflict and Conflict Resolution
窶｢ HSOC 215 Criminology
窶｢ HSOC 307 History of Social Thought
窶｢ HSOC 407 Contemporary Sociological Theory
窶｢ HSOC 414 Political Sociology
窶｢ HSOC 416 Law and Society16 Law and Society

MEET OUR FACULTY & STAFF

The Political Science department is located in Wheeler Hall, 319.

Andrew Douglas, Department Chair
Cordney Smith, Sr Admin Support Specialist 窶｢ Div. of Humanities