Academic Bulletin Political Science - 2007-08

Currently viewing 2007-08 bulletin

Faculty: D. Hadley (chair), M. Butler, S. Himsel#, P. Mikesell, J. Vasquez

#Part-time

Aristotle called politics “the queen of the sciences.” Knowledge of politics is important for all liberally educated people. At Wabash, the department offers courses accessible to all students in four areas: American politics, comparative politics, international politics and political theory. We offer opportunities for non-majors to seek answers to perennial questions of politics and to learn more about how government works in their own country and around the world. Our major program combines a solid overview of the discipline with opportunities for in depth study. Students majoring in political science take a survey course in each area and then concentrate on one area for advanced study.

By studying political science, students learn to analyze and interpret the significance of political events and governmental processes in order to understand, evaluate and even shape them. As a department we hope to turn interested students, whatever their career plans or other interests, into politically literate college graduates who are able to comprehend their political world in ways appropriate to their individual inclinations, as intelligent and responsible citizens, journalists, attorneys, active participants in business, community or electoral politics, as candidates for office, public officials, or academic political scientists.

Requirements for the Major: Majors in Political Science are required to take 9 courses (and may take as many as 11) distributed as follows:

• Four introductory courses:

PSC 111—Survey of American Politics (a fall semester course)

PSC 122—Survey of Comparative Politics (a spring semester course)

PSC 231—Survey of Political Theory (a fall semester course)

PSC 242—Survey of International Politics (a spring semester course)

These courses should be taken in the first two years. They may be taken in any order, but the department strongly suggests that, when possible, students take PSC 111 and PSC 122 before taking PSC 231 and 242.  Students may begin with either PSC 111 or 122. 

• Two advanced courses in one area of specialization chosen from the four areas above. Students will be examined over this area on the first day of senior comprehensive examinations.
• PSC 497—Senior Seminar in Political Science (a fall semester course). Students will write seminar papers for this course in the area in which they have elected to specialize (see above).
• At least two additional Political Science courses.

Note: Students may count either Philosophy 213 (Philosophy of Law) or a departmentally approved offering listed under Philosophy 219 (Topic in Ethics and Social Philosophy) toward the major or minor in Political Science. No more than one course credit in Philosophy may be counted toward the Political Science major or minor.

The Senior Comprehensive Examination consists of 6 hours of written examinations administered over two days. The first day's exam questions will be available in advance and will require a student to analyze and synthesize material in his area of specialization within political science. The second day's examination requires the student to write shorter essays in two other areas of the discipline. In addition, the second day's examination may ask for some short answers in the area of specialization as well as an analysis of political data. The student must also pass the College's oral examination.

Collateral requirements: Political Science majors are also required to take Economics 101 and History 102. Since these courses provide important background material that will enhance the student's understanding of political science as a major field, he is strongly encouraged to complete them during his first two years of study. Students are strongly encouraged to take statistics or PSC 261 during their sophomore year.

Requirements for the Minor: Minors in Political Science are required to take two of the four survey courses listed above, two advanced courses in one of those two areas, and either an advanced course in the second area in which a survey course was taken or PSC 261.

An Area of Concentration and High School Teaching licensure in this discipline is awarded by the Teacher Education Program. For licensure information please see the Indiana Teacher Licensing Requirements for Adolescent and Young Adult License section and for information on this specific discipline see the Content Area Course Requirements for Teaching at the Adolescent and Young Adult Licensure Level section.