Program Overview:
The majors in History, Political Science, and History/ Political Science are designed to provide a liberal, career-oriented education for students seeking employment in government, foreign service, museums, business, industry, and teaching; to prepare students for law school; and to prepare students of demonstrated competence for graduate study in History or Political Science. The major in Social Studies: Adolescence Education qualifies students for initial certification by New York State to teach Social Studies in grades 7 through 12. Refer to the Adolescence Education catalog section for the education sequence program and policies.
For History, Political Science, and History/Political Science majors, Albany is an ideal location. Political Science internships and history field experiences are readily available. Field experiences are designed to provide students interested in history with an opportunity to investigate public history by working at historic sites, in museums and in historical organizations. Internships are designed to provide students interested in politics with an opportunity to study the political process first hand by working in the New York State Legislature, public offices, law firms, and community agencies. Students are encouraged to take 3-15 credit hours of history field experience or political science internships as part of their general electives for their degree program. They may also pursue up to six credit hours in independent study or directed readings after completing the required upper-division coursework in that geographic area or subfield. At least 33 of the 45 credits required in the major must be completed at The College of Saint Rose. Departmental majors are required to fulfill their upper division courses in residence.
To strengthen their ability to think critically and present their ideas effectively, all majors are required to take an introductory research methods workshop, upper-division courses that emphasize acquisition of analytical and research skills, and a senior capstone seminar. In this seminar, faculty specialists address a particular topic or related topics and engage with the students in open discussion. Students are normally required to conduct research on these topics and to prepare oral and written presentations. The seminars are usually restricted to seniors.
Program Contacts:
Dr. Ryane McAuliffe Straus
Chair, History & Political Science Department
Email: strausr@mail.strose.edu
Program Webpage: https://www.strose.edu/history-and-political-science/
Program Requirements:
Major in Political Science (45 credits)
| POS 100 | Intro:History & Politics | 1 |
| POS 112 | Critical Analysis US Politics | 4 |
| POS 142 | Political Ideologies | 4 |
| POS 171 | International Relations | 4 |
| POS 173 | Comparative Politics | 4 |
| POS 200 | Theories/Methods Polit Inquiry | 4 |
| POS 498 | Capstone Seminar | 4 |
| | Five additional 300- or 400-level POS courses | 20 |
POS 498 Prerequisite: a 300-level Political Science course
Additional Political Science courses must include one from each of the four subfields:
U.S. Politics
Political Theory
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Independent Study Policy:
Independent studies provide intensive advanced opportunities for motivated students to deepen their exploration of a topic that they’ve already demonstrated interest and mastery over based upon successful completion of an introductory course.
Independent studies, moreover, are designed to offer exposure to intellectual work that does not fall within the required curriculum and is not offered in the regular course rotation. Independent studies cannot be used as a substitute for academic requirements in the major or concentration.
Internship/Field Experiences/Service:
For Political Science majors, Albany is an ideal location. Political Science internships and history field experiences are readily available. Internships are designed to provide students interested in politics with an opportunity to study the political process first hand by working in the New York State Legislature, public offices, law firms, and community agencies. Students are encouraged to take 3-15 credit hours of history field experience or political science internships as part of their general electives for their degree program. They may also pursue up to six credit hours in independent study or directed readings after completing the required upper-division coursework in that geographic area or subfield. At least 33 of the 45 credits required in the major must be completed at The College of Saint Rose.
Culminating Academic Experiences:
To strengthen their ability to think critically and present their ideas effectively, all majors are required to take an introductory research methods workshop, upper-division courses that emphasize acquisition of analytical and research skills, and a senior capstone seminar. In this seminar, faculty specialists address a particular topic or related topics and engage with the students in open discussion. Students are normally required to conduct research on these topics and to prepare oral and written presentations. The seminars are usually restricted to seniors.
Required Course:
Prerequisite: a 300-level Political Science course
The Capstone Seminar topic changes each semester
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 120 overall credits. It should be used along with your Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with your faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide, not a definitive list of courses that must be taken as written. Your faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
First Year
Fall
POS 100 Intro to Methods - 1 cr.
POS 112 US Politics (fulfills C8) - 4 cr
POS 142 Pol Ideologies– 4 cr.
ENG 105 Composition (C1) – 4 cr.
PHI or RLS (C4) – 3 cr.
_______________________
16 cr.
Spring
POS 171 Intnl Relations – 4
POS 173 Comp Politics – 4
HIS (C9) 4
Math (C6) – 3
_________________________________
15 cr.
Sophomore Year
Fall
POS 200 Thrs and Meth – 4
Elective or minor course– 3-4
Literature (C2) – 4
Language (C3) – 3
________________________________
14-15 cr.
Spring
POS 3XX – 4
Elective or minor course 3– 4
CSc (C7) – 3
Lab Science (C5) – 4
________________________________
14-15 cr.
Junior Year
Fall
POS 3XX – 4
POS 3XX-4
ECO or SOC or PSY (C8) – 3
Elective or minor course – 3-4
________________________
14-15 cr.
Spring
POS 3XX – 4
POS 3XX – 4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
_____________________
14-16 cr.
Senior Year
Fall
POS 498 Capstone – 4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
Elective or minor course – 3-4
____________________
13-16 cr.
Spring
POS 492 Internship—15
OR
Elective or minor course 3-4
Elective or minor course 3-4
Elective or minor course 3-4
Elective or minor course 3-4
______________________
12-16 cr.
Career Opportunities and Graduate Study:
The major in Political Science is designed to provide a liberal, career-oriented education for students seeking employment in government, foreign service, museums, business, industry, and teaching; to prepare students for law school; and to prepare students of demonstrated competence for graduate study in Political Science.
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