Apr 30, 2024  
2007-2008 Academic Catalog 
    
2007-2008 Academic Catalog [Published Catalog]

Political Science (B.A.)


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Bachelor of Arts

Political Science at AUC is taught as a humanistic discipline with the overall objectives of fostering understanding of the contemporary world and developing knowledge about, and an appreciation of, the complex mechanisms, authoritative structures, and the allocation of values, which characterize contemporary human communities. Political Science at AUC requires students to develop abilities of comprehension and analysis, and skills for oral and written presentations. The graduate of Political Science is thus well equipped for life in the modern world, and to follow those professions and lines of work that require independence of thought, initiative, creativity in solving problems, and continuing self development. AUC graduates of Political Science are presently found in business, journalism, research, analytic writing, and public contact work. They occupy positions in public, private, development agencies, the diplomatic service, governmental ministries and agencies, and university teaching. A significant number of past graduates have subsequently completed M.A. and Ph.D. degrees.

Students wishing to declare a major in Political Science must have taken POLS 101 or be registered in it. Students wishing to remain Political Science majors must take POLS/HIST 206 and a 300 level POLS course the following semester. Students wishing to transfer from another major after their sophomore year will be considered on a case by case basis. Junior-year (300-level) courses are required in four subfields and are prerequisite to the more advanced courses and seminars (400-level). Each semester a selection of 300 and 400 level courses and seminars is offered from which students may choose courses to complete the requirements of the major.

A total of 120 credits is required for the bachelor’s degree in Political Science:

Core Curriculum (34-46 credits)
Political Science requirements (45 credits): 24 credits concentration plus 21 credits electives.
Collateral requirements: (6 or 9 credits)
General Electives: (20-35 credits)

For all Political Science students:


Collateral requirements


  • HIST - One Modern History course Credits: (3 cr.)
    (not to be taken as an independent study) in addition to:

General Electives


Students may use 15 hours of elective credit to minor in a discipline of their choice. Minoring is optional. Courses taken as collateral requirements may count towards the minor.

Students have the choice to use the 21 elective credits in Political Science (7 courses) to obtain BA in Political Science in:

  1. General field in Political Science
  2. Specialization in International Relations
  3. Specialization in Middle East Politics
  4. Specialization in Political Economy
  5. Specialization in Public and International Law

Three courses are required for each specialization as specified below. Three of the four additional required Political Science elective courses may be used for a second specialization.

1. Requirements for the General Political Science field:


Students must take seven Political Science courses, including four courses at the 400 level and one of the four must be a seminar.

Collateral Requirements (6 credits)
General Electives (23-35 credits)
Depending on the number core curriculum credits taken to make up 120 credits total.

2. Requirements for the Specialization in International Relations


To specialize in International Relations, Political Science majors must, as a minimum, take the following three courses:

Options:


To further their understanding in this specialization, students have the option to take a number of recommended courses including:

Collateral Requirements (9 credits)


Electives (20-32 credits)


Depending upon the number of core curriculum credits taken.

3. Requirements for the Specialization in Middle East Politics


To specialize in Middle East Politics, Political Science majors must, as a minimum, take the following three courses:

Collateral Requirements (6 credits)


  • Modern Middle East History at 300 or 400 level Credits: (3 cr.)

General Electives (23-35 credits)


Depending on the number of core curriculum credits taken.

4. Requirements for the Specialization in Political Economy


To specialize in Political Economy, Political Science majors must, as a minimum, take the following three courses:

Options:


To further their understanding in this specialization, students have the option to take a number of recommended courses including:

Collateral Requirements (6 credits)


  • One Modern History course (not to be taken as an independent study)
    in addition to:

General Electives (23-35 credits)


Depending on the number of core curriculum credits taken.

5. Requirements for the Specialization in Public & International Law


To specialize in Public and International Law, Political Science majors must, as a minimum, take the following three courses:

Options:


To further their understanding in this specialization, students have the option to take a number of recommended courses including:

A number of Special Topics courses that are taught each academic year under course number POLS 473 (Special Topics in Public Law) and POLS 474 (Special Topics in International Law), and/or a choice of one course at the graduate level in the specialization International Human Rights Law-among which are included:

Note:


* IHRL 516 and 517 require the permission of the IHRL department; IHRL 518 requires the permission of the instructor.

Collateral Requirements (6 credits)


One Modern History course (not to be taken as an independent study) in addition to:

General Electives (23-35 credits)


Depending upon number of core curriculum credits taken.

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