Program Learning Outcomes
“Expected student learning outcomes specify the knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes students are expected to attain in courses or in a program.” Page 69. Resource Manual for the Principles of Accreditation: Foundations for Quality Enhancement, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), 2018.
1. Demonstrate effective verbal communication skills.
2. Demonstrate effective written communication skills.
3. Use appropriate methodological tools to conduct political science research.
4. Analyze primary and secondary works of political thought.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of Christian perspectives on politics and government.
6. Analyze the role of Christianity in the development of Western political institutions.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of the main elements of the Anglo-American legal and political tradition.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of America’s founding ideas.
9. Explain the political and legal characteristics of the American system of government.
10, Explain the nature and function of major international political institutions.
11. Compare liberal democracy to alternate forms of government.
12. Compare the governmental institutions found in modern nations.
Graduation Requirements
Conferral of a Baccalaureate degree in this program of study is determined by successful completion of the Baccalaureate Graduation Requirements outlined here .
NOTE: Students must earn 42 upper level (3000-4000) credit hours in order to graduate. A total of at least 21 of these upper level credit hours must be completed in the selected major.
Visit this program’s information page for additional program-specific requirements.
Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) - 43 Credit Hours
Politics majors must meet the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements as set out in the Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Program . The Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Global Studies and Social Science requirements are fulfilled through other courses in this major. Only 37 of the 43 credit hours of Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) will still be required for the completion of this program.
Politics Major - 42 Credit Hours
Core Politics Courses - 24 Credit Hours
Politics Elective Courses - 18 Credit Hours
Students must select six (6) elective courses from the following lists, for a total of 18 credit hours. Student must select at least one (1) course from each category.
American Government Electives
Political Theory Electives
Law and Constitution Electives
School of Arts and Sciences Additional Natural Science Requirements - 5 Credit Hours
Five additional hours of natural science: 1 lab to accompany the course taken for general education [BIO 1043 , BIO 1023 , ESC 1043 , OCY 1043 , PHY 1033 or PHY 1063 ], and one additional natural science course and accompanying lab. The two natural sciences must be in different areas: one must be a life science (biology) and the other must be a physical science (chemistry, physics, oceanography, earth science, or forensic science). In sum, students are required to take a minimum of 8 hours of natural science courses (one life science and one physical science, with their associated labs). A course grade of C or higher is required.
Modern Language Requirement - 3-6 Credit Hours
Politics majors are required to successfully complete (with a final grade of C- or higher):
- one intermediate modern language course (3 Credit Hours), OR
- two elementary modern language courses (6 Credit Hours), OR
- one elementary and one intermediate modern language course (6 Credit Hours).
Politics majors who choose another major or minor with its own language requirements may elect to use the language requirement of that major or minor as a substitute for their Politics modern language requirement.
Meets Faith, Roots, and Reason (General Education) Global Studies requirement.
Note: No CLEP, AP, IB, or transient study credits may be used to fulfill this requirement. These credits must be fulfilled at PBA.