Program Coordinator/Contact
William Prigge, Department Head
Department of History, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religion
West Hall Room 109
E-mail: will.prigge@sdstate.edu
www.sdstate.edu/hist
Click here for additional information.
Program Information
The study of Political Science examines politics, governments, and political processes. The Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science prepare graduates for work in government agencies, party headquarters, political consulting firms, advocacy organizations, business, or non-profit agencies. The flexibility of the major also positions students for law school and other professional or graduate degree programs.
Student Learning Objectives
Students with a major in Political Science will be able to:
- define concepts, theories and methods of political science.
- demonstrate an awareness of political systems beyond the United States.
- demonstrate an awareness of political issues facing traditionally underrepresented communities in America.
- develop a disciplined, skeptical stand and outlook on the world that demands evidence and a sophisticated use of information. This includes recognizing the difference between strong and weak arguments based on evidence, seeking use of proper citations and peer review in other works.
- demonstrate an awareness that knowledge is often incomplete or imperfect, and thus multiple alternatives must be considered and conclusions are subject to change.
- recognize the difference between strong and weak arguments based on evidence, use of proper citations and peer review.
- identify and summarize the arguments of other scholars.
- frame a scholarly question and develop research strategies to address it, generate arguments, written and verbal, that are reasoned and based on evidence selected, arranged and analyzed.
- effectively navigate the library and online databases, as well as can use statistical software.
Curriculum Objectives
Political science courses are designed to achieve the following objectives:
- convey the values and traditions of our democratic governmental institutions and processes and encourage students to assert their talents in preserving and nurturing those values and traditions through participation in the body politic;
- promote global awareness and understanding;
- engender critical thinking and a high proficiency in communication skills;
- serve the other social sciences as a cognate field;
- provide the student majoring in political science with foundation and advanced courses in the many sub-disciplines of political science which, in turn, will contribute to the student’s intellectual growth and occupational pursuits.
Academic Requirements
No grade below a “C” in political science courses may be used to fulfill major or minor requirements.
Course Delivery Format
The program provides courses online and face to face on campus and at various off-campus attendance centers.
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