Bachelor of Arts [B.A] [Political Science] From Allegheny College

The Department of Political Science offers courses in: Culture and Politics; Globalization and Transnational Politics; Institutions and Processes; Policy Studies; and Problems in Democracy. These courses are designed to help students understand politics, political behavior, and political life and discourse, as well as the institutions and processes through which public policy is formed, in different political systems by:

?a) examining enduring value issues such as freedom, justice, equality, order, and power;

?b) exploring the practical and ethical implications of contemporary issues in public policy;

?c) providing alternative methodological approaches (quantitative, interpretative, dialectical, literary, cultural) to the analysis of politics;?

d) studying the great texts of political thought;?

?e) leading students to examine critically their own political beliefs and values and those of others.

At graduation Political Science majors must present a GPA of at least 2.0 in the 46 (or, in some cases, 45) semester hours of required Political Science coursework. All courses toward the major taken at Allegheny College are included in the GPA calculation, with the exception of repeated courses for which only the most recent grade counts. Students other than transfer students may present a total of 16 semester hours toward the major on a Credit/No Credit basis from a) courses taken at other approved institutions or b) specially arranged internships. Any additional credits beyond the 16-credit limit must be approved by the department chair. All other courses must be taken on a letter-grade basis. One AP course (U.S. Politics or Comparative Politics) will be accepted on a Credit/No Credit basis as a substitute for the department?s introductory course, but cannot be used to satisfy the department?s subfield distribution requirement described below.