Political Science Major
Kenneth E. Gilmore, Associate Professor, Chair
Kent John Chabotar, President and Professor
George X. Guo, Associate Professor
Kyle Dell, Assistant Professor
Maria Rosales, Assistant Professor
Robert Duncan, Assistant Professor
Victor Archibong, Lecturer
The Political Science Department at Guilford College prepares students for engaged citizenship. “Engaged citizenship” in this context means not merely to understand or to manage the effects of political events and governmental actions on society, but also to evaluate and seek to shape them. We do this by providing our students with the knowledge, intellectual and practical skills, values and experiences necessary to fulfill their responsibilities as members of an effective and diverse civil society. More specifically, the department sets the following goals for the BA degree in political science: to provide a skills-based education for citizenship, government employment, and public service; to provide politically literate students the tools with which to influence their communities through public service and socially beneficial work; to train future governmental leaders and employees; and to prepare students for successful graduate work.
Degrees Offered
The Bachelor of Arts degree is offered in political science.
Major Requirements
The major requires a minimum of 40 credit hours (nine courses plus the capstone experience course).
Required Core Courses |
PSCI 101 The American Political System 4 credits |
PSCI 103 International Relations 4 credits |
PSCI 105 Comparative Politics 4 credits |
PSCI 106 Classics in Political Thought 4 credits |
PSCI 230 Politics of Problem Solving 4 credits |
|
Elective Courses |
Any two PSCI courses, internships, independent studies 8 credits |
Any two 300-level or above PSCI courses 8 credits |
Required Capstone Experience |
PSCI 465 Senior Independent Project, |
PSCI 470 Senior Thesis or |
PSCI 490 Senior Honors 4 credits |
Total credit hours required for A.B. degree in political science 40 credits |
It is recommended that majors complete PSCI 101 and PSCI 103 prior to taking PSCI 230, and that all core courses be completed before taking upper level elective courses. Of the 16 elective credits, at least eight must be from 300-level courses or above.
Majors may want to focus their elective credits in an area of particular interest in order to provide more in depth knowledge of one of the particular sub-disciplines of political science--American Politics/Public Policy and Administration; International Relations; Comparative Politics; or Political Theory/Political Analysis. The core courses serve as a foundation for upper-level courses within each of the four tracks.
AREAS OF STUDY
American Politics/Public Policy and Administration. This track focuses on governmental and policy dynamics and debates within the United States. Students are exposed to the organization and behavior of the institutions, groups, and participants in the American political arena. Students in this track investigate various public policies and political behaviors from a broad array of governmental and non-governmental institutions. Study in this track equips students for graduate studies in American politics and public policy and provides a foundation for careers in American government, teaching, or other public policy sectors.
Recommended Elective Courses: Politics of State and Local Government; Public Policy & Administration; The American Presidency; The American Founding; Environmentalism in Early America; Constitutional Law and Civil Rights; Modern Environmental Problems; America & the World; National Security Policy; Terrorism in America; Politics of Gender.
International Relations. International relations focus on the manner in which states and other actors interact in the global arena. The track exposes students to a wide variety of methods, approaches, and substantive concerns. This track equips students for graduate studies in international affairs and provides a foundation for careers in international business, diplomacy, or other public policy sectors. Students interested in this track may also double-major in international studies or complete a concentration in African, East Asian, or Latin American studies. Language courses are essential in this regard and thus, are strongly encouraged.
Recommended Elective Courses: PSCI 330 International Political Economy; PSCI 345 Avoiding War & Making Peace; PSCI 366 Global Terrorism; PSCI 391 Globalization & Its Discontents; PSCI 350 International Law, PSCI 275 Asia & the World; PSCI 316 China & the World.
Comparative Politics. The goal of comparative politics is to equip students with the concepts and methods of research necessary for understanding the enormity of contemporary political, economic, and social changes, and to elucidate their significance. Students will apply practical research methods to examine policy processes and outcomes in different nations–in areas such as industry, education, health care, housing, and social security. Other issues covered within the comparative politics track include political and economic development, the relationship between economic development and democratization, reform, and revolution. Students interested in this track may also double-major in international studies or complete a relevant concentration. Language courses are essential in this regard and thus are strongly encouraged.
Recommended Elective Courses: PSCI 210 East Asian Politics; PSCI 315 Chinese Politics; PSCI 222 African Government & Politics; PSCI 350 Politics of Developing Nations.
Political Theory/Political Analysis. Political theory challenges students to confront the full history of political thought in order to sharpen and focus their analytical skills and to develop for themselves standards of judgment through which they can assess the relative merits of political systems and public policies. To this end, students in this track pursue coursework and independent study in the following areas: the history of political ideas (such as freedom, obligation, justice, power, and democracy); interpretation of political texts; and normative approaches to persistent political issues and problems. This track equips students for graduate study in political science and law as well as for various careers in community service and public policy.
Recommended Elective Courses: PSCI 240 American Political Thought; PSCI 364 Race, Ethnicity & Politics; PSCI 367 Violence & Politics; PSCI 305 Politics of Gender; PSCI 320 Contemporary Political Ideologies.
DEPARTMENTAL HONORS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Majors taking PSCI 465: Senior Independent Project or PSCI 470: Senior Thesis may petition for Departmental Honors (PSCI 490) upon enrolling in the course. College requirements apply. The political science faculty determines admission to the honors program. Requirements for Departmental Honors include: a grade-point average of 3.50 or better in the discipline; and a 3.00 or better overall average. Departmental Honors requires extensive reading in a selected area of the discipline and submission of a 50-60 page thesis that includes: a) literature review (bibliography of relevant sources--(minimum of 5 books; 10 periodical articles; 20 internet sources); b) proposed research methodology; c) type of analysis; d) schedule; and e) an explanation of how this project will contribute to the body of knowledge. The honors program culminates in an oral examination evaluated by three members of the faculty, two of whom must be from the department, and an outside examiner.
INTERNSHIPS AND INDEPENDENT STUDY
Students may apply only up to 8 credits from any course, internship, independent study, or teaching assistantship toward the major. These credits may not fulfill the two 300 level course requirements for the major. Many students elect to do an internship or independent study related to their political science studies. Students may participate in internships located in Greensboro, such as private law offices and local government agencies. Students may also elect to participate in The Washington Center or The Capitol Experience internship programs in Washington, DC or state-based internship programs such as the Institute of Government and the North Carolina Government programs. We strongly encourage students to engage in internships.
Internship Requirements: In order to qualify for an internship, students must have: a) completed at least two of the 5 core courses; b) a 3.0 or better grade-point average within the department, and c) submitted a 1 page proposal for the instructor’s approval to include: 1) learning objectives, 2) check points, 3) evaluation criteria, and 4) schedule. Requirements for completing an internship include: a 5-20 page (depending upon the number of credits) critical analysis paper of the internship that addresses the learning objectives listed in the proposal and that conforms to the standards and conventions of the discipline.
Independent Study Requirements: In order to qualify for an independent study (including teaching and research assistant positions), students must have at a minimum: a) completed 5 core courses; b) a 3.0 or better grade-point average within the department. Requirements for completing an Independent Study include: a 5-20 page research paper (depending upon the number of credits allowed) that conforms to the standards and conventions of the discipline or appropriate alternative work, as determined by the professor.
POLITICAL SCIENCE AND TEACHER EDUCATION
Political science majors interested in licensure to teach social studies in public schools need to double-major in political science and education studies. Students should consult advisers in both departments to be certain that all requirements are satisfied.
ACCEPTING AP CREDITS
Incoming Political Science majors who have a score of 4 or higher on the Advanced Placement Test for American Government or Comparative Government & Politics are given credit for having taken PSCI 101: The American Political System or PSCI 105: Comparative Politics respectively.