Mission Statement

• Programs

The Political Science academic program serves needs of four majors (Political Science, International Studies, Social Science Teaching, and Social Work) and two minors (Political Science and International Studies). For Political Science, it offers all coursework necessary for a major or minor. For International Studies, Political Science offers one required course and several elective courses for majors and minors. Social Science Teaching majors are required to enroll in specific political science courses.

• Core

The three Political Science courses included in the University Core Curriculum are POLS 101, Introduction to Political Science; POLS 102, Introduction to American Politics; and POLS 271, International Politics. In addition, Political Science faculty members teach a variety of LIBA 497 capstone courses.

• Outcome

The political science program seeks to provide students with a broad-based political education that is grounded in the field’s theoretical traditions. This includes a strong background in the fundamental branches of our discipline: American politics, comparative politics, international politics, political theory and public administration. Political science students acquire abilities to critically assess contemporary political events and identify practical solutions to social problems. Political science majors develop analytical and methodological skills that will serve them well regardless of their chosen profession.

Vision Statement

With the addition of new faculty, the Political Science Program will establish itself as a department that is independent from the Philosophy Program. The program will then become responsible for providing a course that addresses a potential change to the core curriculum. In such a course, USI students will master the fundamental political concepts, theories, and skills that will allow them to make meaningful contributions to their communities and to society-at-large.

The Program’s major and minor requirements will include a senior seminar and an internship experience – curriculum changes that will insure that all majors and minors learn how to synthesize and apply political knowledge.

Course offerings in each of the major subfields of the discipline will be expanded with a view to insuring that majors and minors have the opportunity to develop concentrations in one or more subfields of the discipline: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, Political Theory, and Public Administration.

The Department will increase its involvement in university service and community outreach. Particular attention will be devoted to involving students in community activities related to the Program’s academic goals.