Political Science - Major/Minor
For information contact Dr. Christine Carpino ccarpino@cedarcrest.edu, 610-606-4666, ext. 3923
Program Description
Majoring in political science will expose students to knowledge and skills that are applicable across a range of career opportunities in both the public and private sectors. Substantively, the program will immerse students in the key political, economic, legal and global issues facing contemporary American society and develop their critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills.
The Political Science program provides students with a strong foundation of fundamental concepts, theories and courses in the discipline, while also allowing students to focus their course of study in one of three areas of interest: American Politics, Global Politics, and Law and Society. Additionally, Political Science is a multidisciplinary program of study that exposes students to a diverse array of academic perspectives, including economics, history, communications, and criminal justice. Students who are planning to go to law school are encouraged to minor in Pre-Law and participate in the college’s Pre-Law program, which provides individualized assistance in regard to all phases of the law school admissions process.
Program Mission Statement
The Political Science program educates women to be leaders in the global community. Political Science majors are prepared to assume leadership roles in the fields of public affairs and policy, education, law, communications, and business. Students gain a multidisciplinary perspective on the enduring questions of justice in American society and the global community, while honing the analytical and communications skills that are essential to success in the 21st century.
Program Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate core knowledge within Political Science.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to communicate ideas clearly and persuasively.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and evaluate theories and research within the discipline.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to research topics and problems, locate and evaluate relevant evidence, and reach reasoned conclusions.
- Students will demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of the intersections between Political Science and other disciplines, such as history, communications, criminal justice and economics.
Political Science Major
Program Requirements
To apply transfer credits toward the completion of major requirements, students must have earned a grade of “C” or better in each course to be transferred. Courses completed more than ten years ago will not be accepted for purposes of completing the requirements of the major.
Major Requirements: 36 credits (all courses are 3 credits unless otherwise indicated)
Required Courses: (7 courses/21 credits)
- PSC 110 American Politics
- PSC 120 Introduction to International Relations
- PSC 250 Political-“isms”
- PSC 211 The New Global Economy OR ECO 222 Economic Geography
- HIS 121 Survey of US History I
- HIS 122 Survey of US History II
- THS 105 Public Speaking
In addition to completing the required courses, Political Science majors will choose one of the following concentrations. As new, relevant courses are added in other disciplines, they may count toward the concentration electives with permission of the Program Director.
American Government Concentration: Choose 5 classes/15 credits from among the courses below
- PSC 202 Law and Justice
- PSC 207 Law and Women’s Rights
- PSC 210 American Public Policy
- PSC 312 American Foreign Policy
- CRJ 101 The Legal System
- CRJ 206 Class, Race, Gender and Crime
- HIS 214 Topics in Political History
- HIS/PSC 224 America as a World Power
Global Politics Concentration: Choose 5 classes/15 credits from among the courses below
- PSC 206 Presidents and Parliaments: Topics in Comparative Politics
- PSC 312 American Foreign Policy
- COM 212 Intercultural Communications
- COM 285 International Virtual Spaces/Global Issues in New Media
- GST 100 Globalizing World
- HIS 211 20th Century Dictatorships
- HIS 250 Germany and the Path to the EU
- HIS 251 Soviet and Post-Soviet Russia
Law and Society Concentration: Choose 5 classes/15 credits from among the courses below
- PSC 202 Law and Justice
- PSC 204 Legal Research and Writing
- PSC 207 Law and Women’s Rights
- PSC 210 American Public Policy
- BUA 221 Business Law OR BUA 239 Employment Law
- COM 212 Intercultural Communication
- COM 215 Organizational Communication
- COM 255 Media, Law and Ethics
- CRJ 101 The Legal System
- CRJ 206 Class, Race, Gender and Crime
Integrative Concentration Portfolio
Senior Political Science majors will be asked to submit a portfolio of work completed within their concentration for review. Students should retain all graded papers, essays, and other work as approved by the Program Director, from courses taken to complete their concentration. Additional information about the nature of the portfolio will be provided by the Program Director.
Fulfillment of LAC Requirements
- Students will be able to satisfy Oral Presentation by taking THS 105: Public Speaking.
- Students will be able to satisfy Information Literacy by taking HIS 122: Survey of US History II or PSC 210: American Public Policy.
- Students will be able to satisfy Technology by taking PSC 110: American Politics.
Political Science Minor
Program Requirements
To apply transfer credits toward the completion of minor requirements, students must have earned a grade of “C” or better in each course to be transferred. Courses completed more than ten years ago will not be accepted for purposes of completing the requirements of the minor.
Course Requirements: 18 credits
Required Courses (9 credits)
- PSC 110: American Politics
- PSC 120: Introduction to International Relations
- PSC 250: Political-“isms”
The remaining 9 credits (3 courses) may be chosen from any required or elective course offerings approved for the Political Science major. Political Science minors are strongly encouraged to choose the remaining 9 credits to reflect a common theme or focus.
