The study of politics at RWU covers the institutions, processes and pre-dispositions by which human affairs are governed, both nationally and internationally. The program offers students a comprehensive and balanced selection of courses, exposing them to the traditional subfields of the discipline: American national politics, international relations, comparative politics, political theory, public administration, and public policy. Courses are designed to broaden student horizons and to improve student proficiency in critical analysis. Courses are also intended to provide a basis for intelligent citizenship, increase capacity for community service, and orient students toward a life-long interest in learning. Internships, independent study, and study abroad are encouraged. The study of politics at RWU develops skills that are useful for law school and legal careers, business careers, various international and public policy careers, as well as for careers in politics per se.
Degree Requirements
Majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in political science must satisfy University Core Curriculum requirements and the College speech requirement, COMM 210. In addition, majors must complete three political science foundation courses; nine advanced courses, with at least four each from the American National Politics/Political Theory category and the International Relations/Comparative Politics category; plus a two-course research sequence in political science; plus a sufficient number of general electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply electives toward a minor or second major.
The three courses listed below are required of all majors and are prerequisites for advanced courses in the relevant subfields.
POLSC 100 American Government and Politics
POLSC 110 The United States in World Affairs
POLSC 120 Comparative Politics
Nine other political science courses are also required. At least four must be completed from each of the following two categories.
American National Politics
POLSC 200 The Constitution and American Politics
POLSC 202 Congress and the Legislative Process
POLSC 203 The American Presidency
POLSC 260 Public Administration
POLSC 301 Campaigns and Elections
POLSC 302 Political Parties, and Interest Groups
POLSC 303 Politics and the Media
POLSC 305 Judicial Process
POLSC 307 Race and Gender in American Politics
POLSC 308 Race in American Politics
POLSC 361 State and Local Government
POLSC 362 Urban Politics
POLSC 380 Public Policy
POLSC 400 Washington Internship
POLSC 401 Washington Public Policy Seminar
POLSC 402 Washington Independent Research Project
POLSC 430 Special Topics (American National Politics
or Political Theory topic)
POLSC 440 Independent Research Project
International Relations/Comparative Politics/Political Theory
POLSC 210 International Relations
POLSC 212 Model United Nations
POLSC 215 Strategy and National Security Policy
POLSC 221 Comparative Politics in the Third World
POLSC 310 Foreign Policies of the Major Powers
POLSC 311 Rogue States, Allies, and Regional Powers
POLSC 312 International Law and Organization
POLSC 315 International Negotiation
POLSC 325 International Political Economy
POLSC 326 Post-Communist World
POLSC 330 Revolution and Social Change
POLSC 321 Politics and Ethnic Conflict
POLSC 325 Modern European Politics
POLSC 350 Political Theory
POLSC 428 Mexican Politics
POLSC 429 Cultures in Contact: Mexico Today
POLSC 430 Special Topics (International Relations
or Comparative Politics topic)
POLSC 440 Independent Research Project
and a two course research sequence – examining in depth a topic chosen by the student – completes the major:
POLSC 240 Research Methods in Political Science
POLSC 442 Senior Research Seminar
POLSC 100 American Government and Politics
one of the following:
POLSC 110 The United States and World Affairs
POLSC 120 Introduction to Comparative Politics
and
Any four (4) upper courses provided that at least one of these is from the American National Politics category and one is from the International Relations/Comparative Politics category.