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Political Science
Degree: Bachelor of Arts Contact: Jeffrey Sedgwick Office: 334 Thompson Phone: 545-6189 E-mail: sedgwick@polsci.umass.edu Counseling Office: 222 Thompson Phone: 545-3695 E-mail: advice@polsci.umass.edu Chair of Department: Professor Jerome Mileur. Professors Brigham, Coelen, DerDerian, Einhorn, Goldman, Gordon, Haas, Kramer, Peterson, Ryavec, Sulzner, Wiarda, Xenos; Associate Professors Alejandro, Cruikshank, Edie, Hird, Mills, Sedgwick; Assistant Professors Bushouse, Crawford, Jensen, Moscardelli, Robinson, Roy, Thomas; Instructor Hannahan. The Field The study of politics traditionally examines social and political behaviors (i.e., politics), the varied contexts in which they occur (i.e., governments), and the ideas and ideals which motivate persons in public life (i.e., political thought). The department believes that this study cannot be reduced to any single theory or method; consequently, diverse interests and approaches characterize its academic life. Current faculty interests incline toward the study of institutions, law, political development, and theory. The Major The Department of Political Science requires its majors to complete a minimum of 11 three-credit courses in political science and the one-credit Junior Year Writing requirement, as described below. None of these courses may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. No fewer than six of the eleven courses must be taken within the department. Introductory Courses: At least two 100-level Political Science courses completed with grades of C or better. At least one of these courses must come from the following: 101 American Politics, 111 Comparative Politics, 121 World Politics, 171 Introduction to Political Theory. A third 100-level course, also chosen from these four, may be applied to major requirements. Upper-Level Distribution Courses: Two courses in the subfield of American Politics, and one course in each of the subfields of Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. All courses must be at the 200 level or above. A listing of courses meeting the subfield requirement can be found in the handout "The Political Science Major," available at 222 Thompson Hall, tel. (413) 545-3695. Departmental Electives: Additional upper-level courses to bring the course total to eleven. If two introductory courses have been completed, four departmental electives are required. If three introductory courses have been applied to major requirements, three departmental electives are required. One graded internship or independent study course may count as one of the electives. A second graded internship or independent study course may be counted with prior approval from the Chief Undergraduate Adviser. Junior Year Writing: The Junior Year Writing requirement is fulfilled by completion of POLSCI 399, a one-credit course of writing tutorials, concurrent with completion of a three-credit departmental course (which may also fill one of the above requirements). This should be completed in the junior year; sophomores may enroll on a space-available basis. (Students for whom Political Science is a second major and who have completed the Junior Year Writing requirement in their primary major are not required to take POLSCI 399.) Study Abroad and Exchanges Numerous opportunities are available for study at other institutions, including members of the local Five College Consortium, North American colleges and universities participating in the National Student Exchange, and a variety of foreign universities. The department has a special undergraduate student exchange with the Department of Politics at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England. Related Programs Many programs such as "The Five College International Relations Certificate" and area studies certificates in Soviet and Eastern Europe, Near East, Latin America, and Asia, and the minor in Modern European Studies complement the Political Science major well. Internships Several types of internships with government institutions at all levels, non-profit advocacy groups, research organizations, and other agencies with public service functions (including law offices) are available to Political Science majors. These are designed to enable students to earn graduation credits while employed temporarily in a professional position to gain work experience. More information about internships is available from the department's internship coordinator. Career Opportunities The following is a brief listing of careers for which a major in political science is valuable preparation: law school admission, study and practice; business and corporate positions in environmental protection, consumer affairs, and public affairs; journalism; federal and state government employment in such areas as environmental protection, criminal justice, public health and welfare, and transportation; local management and general administration in planning, zoning, housing, human resource management, law enforcement, budgeting and finance; secondary-level teaching of social studies; positions with nonprofit research and advocacy organizations; managers with domestic or international grass-roots development or re-fugee assistance organizations; educational administration; and university-level teaching. The Minor A minor in Political Science, or in one of the subfields of American Politics, Public Law, Public Administration, Political Theory, International Relations, or Comparative Politics/Area Studies, may be earned by the successful completion of a minimum of five three-credit courses in Political Science. All courses counted toward the Political Science minor must be taken for a letter grade, and no fewer than three of the five Political Science courses must be taken within the department. Only one of the five may be at the introductory level. The minimum GPA for a Political Science minor is 2.0. Curricular Information The minor in Political Science may serve a variety of purposes and objectives. For students enrolled in professional majors of a kind involved with governmental regulation or funding, a minor in Political Science helps students understand the process that is vital to the growth and development of their chosen career. | |
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