Political Science

Area of Study Overview

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The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree program, with an area of study in Political Science, prepares adults for career change, advancement, or graduate education, while providing personal enrichment. The program examines the study of power in society particularly with the analysis of authority, power, and influence in the making of public policy. Students develop a broad general knowledge of the traditional liberal arts disciplines while developing a greater depth of knowledge in political science.

Credit Distribution

I. General Education Featured Courses (45 Credits)

TESU Featured Courses are listed as a guide. Other courses may satisfy the areas and can be viewed on our website under General Education Courses.  For more information see About Our General Education Program.  To plan your program please contact an academic advisor.

A. Intellectual and Practical Skills (15 Credits)

ENC-1010	Writing for Success	3
ENC-1020	Writing for Success II	3
COM-2090	Public Speaking	3
MAT-1050	Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics	3
SOS-1100	Fact, Fiction, or Fake? Information Literacy Today	3

For all TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Intellectual and Practical Skills.

B. Civic and Global Leadership (9 Credits)

SOC-1010	Our Changing World: An Introduction to Sociology	3
ETH-2200	Leading the Way: A Path Towards Ethical Leadership	3
GLB-3010	Global Issues and Society	3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Civic and Global Leadership.

C. Knowledge of Human Cultures (15 Credits)

SOC-2100	Marriage and the Family	3
HIS-1130	American History I	3
FIL-1100	Exploring American Cinema	3

Select two featured courses from the list below:

SOC-2910	Criminology	3
HIS-1140	American History II	3
HIS-1210	Introduction to World History I	3
HUM-1030	Introduction to the Humanities III: Music	3
PHI-1300	Introduction to Critical Reasoning	3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Knowledge of Human Cultures.

D. Scientific Knowledge (6 Credits)

EAS-1010	General Earth Science	3
BIO-2080	The Science of Nutrition	3

For additional TESU course options that will satisfy this area of the degree, go to Scientific Knowledge.

II. Area of Study (45 Credits)

A. Required Courses (18 Credits)

POS-2820	Introduction to Comparative Politics	3
POS-3150	International Relations I	3
SOS-4920	Research Methods in Social Sciences	3
ECO-1110	Macroeconomics	3
POS-1100	American Government	3
-TRSFR REQ.	Political Theory OR Political Process	3

B. Political Science Electives (15 Credits)

-TRSFR REQ.

Political Science Electives

15

C. Social Science Electives (9 Credits)

-

Social Science Electives

9

Complete any 9 credits in the Social Science area.

D. Capstone (3 Credits)

LIB-4950

Liberal Arts Capstone

3

III. Electives (30 Credits)

For TESU course options, go to Elective Courses.

TRANSFER REQUIREMENT: TESU accepts credits in transfer from accredited institutions as well as non-collegiate providers. View information and resources on where you may find additional learning experiences.

Total Credit Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Political Science program will be able to:

• demonstrate knowledge of the major fields in political science;
• describe the major forms of government, legal systems, and political ideologies;
• demonstrate knowledge of the basic structures, functions, and processes of the government and political system of the United States;
• explain the formation and structure of the international system theory as related to political science; and
• articulate and apply appropriate political science research methodologies.