POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR Professor Bradford W. Deel, J.D .

POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJORProfessor Bradford W. Deel, J.D., Program DirectorMissionThe mission of the Political Science program is to prepare graduates foremployment, scholarship, or further study in the areas of law, public policy, or criminaljustice in service to their professional disciplines and social communities. concentrations:Students who major in Political Science choose one of three programo The Pre-Law Concentration emphasizes course work appropriate for thosewho plan to attend law school upon completion of undergraduate studies.o The Public Policy Concentration emphasizes the interconnectedness ofpolitical science, policymaking, and specific policy areas. This concentration isappropriate for those who want to pursue positions working directly or indirectly withgovernment. It is also appropriate for those who wish to continue their education withgraduate studies in social sciences, such as Political Science, History, or Sociology.o The Criminal Justice Concentration focuses on developing the skillsneeded to pursue careers in law enforcement, criminology, homeland security, orcorrections with a focus on those skills needed in management positions. Students arealso prepared to pursue graduate studies in Criminal Justice.The program structure encourages students to double major in other fields such asPsychology, English, or Business.Prestigious internship opportunities with local and state government agenciesprovide valuable field-work experience in the discipline.Opportunities to present student research at state, regional and national meetingsprovide students with real world skills and allow them to network with professionals in thefield.Students work with experienced and engaged faculty who are published authorsand have taught at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.FROM THE FACULTY“Students who major in Political Science study the actors and institutions ofgovernment and examine their interactions with significant ‘others’ that influencelawmaking. In addition, the process of how policy is made within this environment isemphasized. Those who choose to study Political Science at the University of Charlestonare immersed in a comprehensive program that integrates the merging of traditionalapproaches with modern research techniques to prepare students for graduate study, lawschool, applied work in the disciplines and life-long learning.”195Return to Table of Contents

ADMISSIONStudents must gain general admission to the University of Charleston. A visit tothe campus to meet with Admissions personnel and program faculty is stronglyencouraged.PROGRAM OUTCOMESThe graduate will:1.Evaluate political phenomena using political science concepts and theories.2. Apply historical and global perspectives to political problems and policyissues; and3.Formulate research hypotheses using current social science research tools.Concentration OutcomesIn addition to the program outcomes for all students, Pre-law graduates will be able to evaluate the relationship betweensociety and legal institutions using legal reasoning skills Public Policy graduates will be able to integrate knowledge ofgovernmental and non-governmental actors to analyze public policy Criminal Justice graduates will be able to evaluate societal responses tocrime, terrorism and securityWhat you will studyThe Political Science major focuses on the actors and institutions of governmentand the complex relationships that exist among those who seek to influence the process.Introductory courses in policymaking and policy analysis are also included in thiscore. Coursework to explicitly promote critical thinking and logic are integratedthroughout the curriculum. These requirements are important for all students in the major,but especially for those who intend to pursue a law degree or other graduate degree uponcompletion of their undergraduate education.Beyond these requirements, all students seeking a Bachelor of Arts degree mustearn a minimum of 120 credit hours. Students must also, when constructing their plan ofstudy, meet all of the University of Charleston general curriculum requirements. Theseadditional hours may be utilized to earn a second major, if the student so desires.196Return to Table of Contents

Bachelor of Arts in Political ScienceCORE REQUIREMENTS - 42 CREDIT HOURSHIST 212World Cultures II: 17th Century to Present3 creditsHIST 251Foundations of the American Republic3 creditsHIST 252Contemporary America3 creditsMATH 120Intermediate Algebra (or higher math)3 creditsPOLS 101American National Government3 creditsPOLS 102State and Local Government3 creditsPOLS 210Comparative Government3 creditsPOLS 200Foundations of Public Policy3 creditsPOLS 300Political Science Research Methods3 creditsPOLS 400Senior Thesis3 creditsPOLS 490E.A.G.L.E. Internship12 creditsPre-Law ConcentrationPRE-LAW CONCENTRATION – 18 CREDIT HOURSPOLS 230Introduction to Political Philosophy3 creditsPOLS 260Judicial Branch Politics3 creditsPOLS 280Debating Political Issues3 creditsPOLS 314Constitutional Law I3 creditsPOLS 316Constitutional Law II3 creditsPOLS Elective200 or 300-Level Political Science Elective3 creditsPublic Policy ConcentrationPUBLIC POLICY CONCENTRATION – 18 CREDIT HOURSPOLS 240Legislative Branch Politics3 creditsPOLS 250Executive Branch Politics3 creditsPOLS 380Interest Group Politics3 creditsPOLS 390Ethical Dilemmas in Policy Making3 creditsPOLS 314Constitutional Law I3 creditsPOLS Elective200 or 300-Level Political Science Elective3 credits197Return to Table of Contents

Criminal Justice ConcentrationCRIMINAL JUSTICE CONCENTRATION - 18 CREDIT HOURSCRJS 101Introduction to Criminal Justice3 creditsCRJS 242Introduction to Law Enforcement3 creditsCRJS 260Terrorism and Homeland Security3 creditsCRJS 331 ORCriminal ProcedureConstitutional Law I3 creditsCRJS 356Criminal Law3 creditsPOLS 260Judicial Branch Politics3 creditsPOLS 314ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTSEach graduating major in the program must complete and pass a comprehensiveexamination in their final semester before expected graduation.COMPLETING A DOUBLE MAJORPolitical Science students are encouraged to double major with other programs inthe broader university community. Students pursuing a double major must complete allrequirements for BOTH majors, with the exception that a single senior thesis is required.Students choosing a double major and who choose to do a senior thesis or project outsideof Political Science, must consult with program faculty on the nature of the outside project.The Program expects that a senior thesis completed as part of a double major with aProgram degree will engage the discipline in a meaningful way. Possible double majorsinclude: Political Science and Business Political Science and English Political Science and Psychology198Return to Table of Contents

POLITICAL SCIENCE MINORThe Minor in Political Science requires the student to complete 18 credits inPolitical Science.POLITICAL SCIENCE MINOR - 18 CREDIT HOURSPOLS 101American National Government3 creditsPOLS 200Foundations of Public Policy3 creditsPOLS 210 ORComparative GovernmentIntroduction to Political Philosophy3 creditsPOLS 240Legislative Branch Politics3 creditsPOLS 250Executive Branch Politics3 creditsPOLS 260Judicial Branch Politics3 creditsPOLS 230Total18 creditsCRIMINAL JUSTICE MINORThe Criminal Justice Minor in Political Science requires the student tocomplete 18 credits from Political Science and Criminal Justice.CRIMINAL JUSTICE MINOR - 18 CREDIT HOURSCRJS 101Introduction to Criminal Justice3 creditsCRJS 242Introduction to Law Enforcement3 creditsCRJS 260Terrorism and Homeland Security3 creditsCRJS 331 ORCriminal Procedure OR3 creditsPOLS 314Constitutional Law ICRJS 356Criminal Law3 creditsPOLS 260Judicial Branch Politics3 creditsTotal18 creditsInternshipsConsistent with the mission of the University of Charleston to educate each studentfor a life of productive work, enlightened living, and community involvement, facultyrecognize that only part of a student’s education occurs in the classroom. All studentsmajoring in Political Science, regardless of their concentration, are required tocomplete an internship related to their discipline. Most students will complete the 12credit hourE.A.G.L.E. Internship. In extraordinary circumstances, the Program Directormay waive the 12-hour E.A.G.L.E. Internship requirement and permit a student tosubstitute an internship with a minimum of 3 credit hours. Internships are subject to thefollowing guidelines:199Return to Table of Contents

40 hours of work in the internship 1 hour of credit. Students must maintain a daily journal of their activities. Students must submit a 3 to5-page reflection for each 3 hours of creditreceived for internships. Internships are also subject to general University of Charlestonguidelines. Contact the Political Science Program Director foradditional information regarding these guidelines.Standard Four-Year PathFRESHMANYEARFALL SEMESTERSPRING SEMESTERCOMM 101 Freshman Writing I3COMM 102 Freshman Writing II3HIST 251 Found. of American Republic(Social Science Flex)3SPCH 103 Oral Comm.Fundamentals*3Humanities Flex (Recommend HUMN110 Unheard Voices)3HIST 252 Contemporary America(Elective Flex)3MATH 120 Intermediate Algebra (STEMFlex)3STEM Flex (Recommend NSCI 117Why Science Matters)3POLS 101 American National Govt.(Social Science Flex)3POLS 102 State and LocalGovernment (Elective Flex)3UNIV 104 College Motivation andSuccess3UNIV 105 Foundations of Characterand Leadership3TOTAL CREDITSTOTALCREDITS1818*This is not a separate course. Credit is earned during UNIV 104 & 105SOPHOMOREYEARFALL SEMESTERSPRING SEMESTERHIST 211 World Cultures I3HIST 212 World Cultures II3POLS 200 Foundations of Public Policy3POLS 210 Comparative Government3HUMN Flex Course (RecommendLiterature)3Concentration specific course3Minor3Minor3Elective3Elective3TOTAL CREDITS 15200Return to Table of ContentsTOTALCREDITS15

JUNIOR YEARFALL SEMESTERSPRING SEMESTERPOLS 300 Political Science ResearchMethods3Concentration specific course3POLS 314 Constitutional Law I3Concentration specific course3HIST 360 History of War3Minor3Concentration specific course3Minor3Minor3Upper level elective3TOTAL CREDITS15TOTALCREDITS15SENIOR YEARFALL SEMESTERSPRING SEMESTERElective3POLS 400 Senior Thesis3E.A.G.L.E. Internship12Concentration specific course3Concentration specific course3Minor3TOTAL CREDITS15TOTALCREDITS12Three Year PathStudents with exceptional academic qualifications and motivation can finishthe Political Science program in only three years. Admission to the three year pathrequires approval of the Program Director along with acknowledgement from thestudent that he or she will have a substantial academic workload from the first semesterand will be required to maintain a substantial academic workload throughout the threeyears.Sample Three-Year PlanFIRST YEARFALL SEMESTERSPRING SEMESTERCOMM 101 Freshman Writing I*3COMM 102 Freshman Writing II*3HIST 251 Found. of American Republic(Social Science Flex)3SPCH 103 Oral Comm. Fundamentals*3Humanities Flex (Recommend HUMN 110Unheard Voices)3HIST 252 Contemporary America (SocialScience Flex)3201Return to Table of Contents