Twenty-four centuries ago, the great philosopher Aristotle argued that politics was "the master science" because it determined how the knowledge obtained in all other disciplines is socially used. In our era of globalization, in which decisions made by the government of one country have increasing political, economic, and social ramifications in others, the validity of Aristotle's argument is even more glaring. Moreover, the demand for graduates who understand local, national, and global politics is greatly increasing. The political science major provides students with the tools necessary to understand the range of factors shaping the local, national, and global environments in which we live, to think critically and independently concerning pressing political issues, and to come to critically reasoned conclusions as to how we can organize the life we share with our fellow citizens and millions of people around the world.
Clarion University provides an especially favorable environment for the study of political science. An energetic, dedicated, and involved faculty instructs students in small classroom settings which permits a significant degree of faculty-student interaction. A favorable faculty-student ratio also permits considerable student access to faculty for the purposes of consultation, advising, and career planning. The small size of the program contributes to a sense of camaraderie and guarantees the individual attention students need. The political science faculty offer robust courses spanning a broad range of contemporary political science: American politics, constitutional law, state and local politics, international and comparative politics, political philosophy, politics and film, public administration, and political methodology.
Internships
Political Science majors are encouraged to acquire experience through internships. In pursuit of that end, the Political Science Division offers a variety of internship experiences on a yearly basis. Past internship experiences have included working on political campaigns, field experiences with local and county government institutions, and working with interest groups. In addition, interested students are encouraged to participate in opportunities available in our nation's capital through a variety of internships and programs such as those offered by The Washington Center. Students receive academic credit for working as interns.
POLITICAL SCIENCE, B.A. (51 credits)
Required: PS 210, 211, 311 or 352, 365 or 366, and 18 credits of political science electives. In addition to these 30 credits in political science, the following courses are required: ECON 211, 212; SOC 211; and 12 credits from history, anthropology, or psychology. Students must demonstrate competence in either a foreign language or quantitative skills.
POLITICAL SCIENCE, MINOR (18 credits)
Required: PS 210, 211, 311 or 352, and nine additional credits to be selected at the 300- or 400-level.
