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Political Science
Political Science
The History and Political Science Department offers a major and a minor in political science. The study of politics in the department is intended to acquaint the student with the major principles, institutions, and problems which have historically shaped society and the state. Such a program of study includes the politics of America, Europe, and the international order. Moreover, it includes the problems of conflict, of society’s organization, and of the policy-making process both here and abroad. The study of politics is meant to prepare the student for advanced study or for a professional career.
Program Faculty
Elizabeth Wemlinger
Assistant Professor of Political Science and Public Policy
Overview
Your Program
The material offered in political science is intended to acquaint you with the many principles, institutions, and problems that have historically shaped society and the state. Courses are offered in the fields of comparative politics, international politics, and American politics, and the focus is on policy-making processes both in America and abroad. The curriculum will prepare you for a range of opportunities in advanced study or a professional career.
Your Experience
As a major and/or minor in political science, you will undertake a rigorous analysis and criticism of historic documents and scholarship. You will have opportunities to learn outside the classroom, through original research projects, January Term travel courses, and participation in the activities carried out and sponsored both by the department as well as Phi Alpha Theta, the history honors society, debates, lectures, and discussions. You may also choose to participate in our Model United Nations program held in New York during the spring of each year. In addition, you and other students will have opportunities to present original research at national undergraduate student conferences.
Your Faculty
Our faculty members are both teachers and scholars who conduct their own research and publish and present in scholarly journals and academic conferences. They will encourage you to challenge yourself academically and personally. Small class sizes and a faculty dedicated to teaching create strong student-teacher relationships in the Department of History and Political Science. Our faculty act as mentors who use both their professional expertise and experience to guide their students through the program while also preparing them for their professional lives afterwards.
Your Results
As a political science major or minor, you will graduate with exemplary skills in research, critical thinking, and communication, while being versed in your discipline(s). A degree in political science will prepare you for law school and other graduate programs.
Major/Minor
Political Science Major (BA)
A major consists of eleven courses. Students majoring in political science are required to complete four core courses, to complete two courses within the American Politics and Public Policy field and two course within the Comparative Politics and International Relations fields, plus three additional POLI or approved interdisciplinary electives.
Required Core Courses:
POLI 100. Survey of Political Science (3 hrs)
POLI 130. Research Methods (3 hrs)
POLI 210. Political Thought and Theory (3 hrs)
POLI 310. Senior Seminar in Political Science (3 hrs)
American Politics and Public Policy: choose 2 courses from the following:
POLI 105. Introduction to Public Policy (3 hrs)
POLI 120. American Government and Politics (3 hrs)
POLI 145. Politics and Society (3 hrs)
POLI 160. Gender, Politics and Policy (3 hrs)
POLI 220. Ethics and Public Policy (3 hrs)
POLI 230. State and Local Government (3 hrs)
POLI 240. American Foreign Policy (3 hrs)
POLI 255. Quantitative Methods in Political Science (3 hrs)
Comparative Politics and International Relations: choose 2 courses from the following:
POLI 110. Introduction to International Relations (3 hrs)
POLI 140. Comparative Political Systems (3 hrs)
POLI 205. National Model United Nations (3 hrs)
POLI 225. International Security and Conflict Resolution (3 hrs)
POLI 235. International Political Geography (3 hrs)
POLI 245. International Development and Political Change (3 hrs)
POLI 260. International Political Economy (3 hrs)
Additional Political Science Electives:
Select any three POLI electives or approved courses from other disciplines (3 hours minimum, each) RELI 265. Religion and Migration (3 hrs) is an approved elective.
Political Science Minor
The minor in political science requires the completion of five courses and must include POLI 100. At least three of the five courses must be taken at Salem.
Success Stories
Having such distinguished and passionate faculty members is what makes Salem a unique place
where students grow from girls to women. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I would not be
where I am today if I had not had the guidance of such prestigious, humble, and kind individuals.
Because of wonderful faculty and mentoring—as well as constant support from my Salem Sisters—I
was encouraged to apply to graduate school and was accepted to the University of Denver, Josef Korbel
School of International Studies, ranked 11th in the United States and 9th in the world for international
studies, to pursue a master’s degree in International Security. Currently, I will graduate in June 2016,
and will be moving to Washington D.C. to work for the government—a dream I have chased since I was
16 - a dream come true.
Rebecca Eggers
Class Year:
2014
Major:
International Relations
Study Abroad:
- Galapagos Islands
- Ecuador
- Budapest
- Hungary
Most significant involvement at Salem:
Head delegate for the Salem Model UN Team in NYC
Graduate Study:
MA in International Security, University of Denver, Josef Korbel School
Career:
Analyst with the US Department of Defense in Denver
Your Program
The material offered in political science is intended to acquaint you with the many principles, institutions, and problems that have historically shaped society and the state. Courses are offered in the fields of comparative politics, international politics, and American politics, and the focus is on policy-making processes both in America and abroad. The curriculum will prepare you for a range of opportunities in advanced study or a professional career.
Your Experience
As a major and/or minor in political science, you will undertake a rigorous analysis and criticism of historic documents and scholarship. You will have opportunities to learn outside the classroom, through original research projects, January Term travel courses, and participation in the activities carried out and sponsored both by the department as well as Phi Alpha Theta, the history honors society, debates, lectures, and discussions. You may also choose to participate in our Model United Nations program held in New York during the spring of each year. In addition, you and other students will have opportunities to present original research at national undergraduate student conferences.
Your Faculty
Our faculty members are both teachers and scholars who conduct their own research and publish and present in scholarly journals and academic conferences. They will encourage you to challenge yourself academically and personally. Small class sizes and a faculty dedicated to teaching create strong student-teacher relationships in the Department of History and Political Science. Our faculty act as mentors who use both their professional expertise and experience to guide their students through the program while also preparing them for their professional lives afterwards.
Your Results
As a political science major or minor, you will graduate with exemplary skills in research, critical thinking, and communication, while being versed in your discipline(s). A degree in political science will prepare you for law school and other graduate programs.
Political Science Major (BA)
A major consists of eleven courses. Students majoring in political science are required to complete four core courses, to complete two courses within the American Politics and Public Policy field and two course within the Comparative Politics and International Relations fields, plus three additional POLI or approved interdisciplinary electives.
Required Core Courses:
POLI 100. Survey of Political Science (3 hrs)
POLI 130. Research Methods (3 hrs)
POLI 210. Political Thought and Theory (3 hrs)
POLI 310. Senior Seminar in Political Science (3 hrs)
American Politics and Public Policy: choose 2 courses from the following:
POLI 105. Introduction to Public Policy (3 hrs)
POLI 120. American Government and Politics (3 hrs)
POLI 145. Politics and Society (3 hrs)
POLI 160. Gender, Politics and Policy (3 hrs)
POLI 220. Ethics and Public Policy (3 hrs)
POLI 230. State and Local Government (3 hrs)
POLI 240. American Foreign Policy (3 hrs)
POLI 255. Quantitative Methods in Political Science (3 hrs)
Comparative Politics and International Relations: choose 2 courses from the following:
POLI 110. Introduction to International Relations (3 hrs)
POLI 140. Comparative Political Systems (3 hrs)
POLI 205. National Model United Nations (3 hrs)
POLI 225. International Security and Conflict Resolution (3 hrs)
POLI 235. International Political Geography (3 hrs)
POLI 245. International Development and Political Change (3 hrs)
POLI 260. International Political Economy (3 hrs)
Additional Political Science Electives:
Select any three POLI electives or approved courses from other disciplines (3 hours minimum, each) RELI 265. Religion and Migration (3 hrs) is an approved elective.
Political Science Minor
The minor in political science requires the completion of five courses and must include POLI 100. At least three of the five courses must be taken at Salem.
Having such distinguished and passionate faculty members is what makes Salem a unique place
where students grow from girls to women. I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that I would not be
where I am today if I had not had the guidance of such prestigious, humble, and kind individuals.
Because of wonderful faculty and mentoring—as well as constant support from my Salem Sisters—I
was encouraged to apply to graduate school and was accepted to the University of Denver, Josef Korbel
School of International Studies, ranked 11th in the United States and 9th in the world for international
studies, to pursue a master’s degree in International Security. Currently, I will graduate in June 2016,
and will be moving to Washington D.C. to work for the government—a dream I have chased since I was
16 - a dream come true.
Rebecca Eggers
Class Year:
2014
Major:
International Relations
Study Abroad:
- Galapagos Islands
- Ecuador
- Budapest
- Hungary
Most significant involvement at Salem:
Head delegate for the Salem Model UN Team in NYC
Graduate Study:
MA in International Security, University of Denver, Josef Korbel School
Career:
Analyst with the US Department of Defense in Denver
See our Academic Catalog for all of our course offerings.