Department of Philosophy + Political Science

Explore what President John F. Kennedy called the "art of the possible" with a political science degree.

At Quinnipiac, the study of political science combines a focus on philosophical investigation into the nature of justice with a more practical focus on the nature of politics, power and power relationships. Thus, a student will take classes that compare the nature of governments around the world, explore the operations of politics in local, national and international contexts, and promote the ability to influence the society in which we live. Most students complement their courses in government and politics with study across the arts and sciences, particularly in such areas as history, English, economics and philosophy.

Learning by doing is an emphasis in the political science program; we provide you with opportunities to participate in the political realm at every level of national and international society. Each year a number of students qualify to spend a semester in a multidisciplinary, experiential learning program in Washington, D.C., that combines an internship with course work in political science, journalism, museum studies and the arts.

Political science majors have accepted internships with the U.S. State Department, with Congress, with regional radio and TV stations, with political parties and with legislative staffs at the state capital in Hartford. We also promote and support a variety of study-abroad experiences, and offer classes that engage students directly in political action at the local, national and international levels. We believe these opportunities make not only for a better and more interesting learning experience, but also better prepare graduates for interesting and productive lives after Quinnipiac.

Graduates can choose from a wide range of career options, including work in government, international affairs, and journalism. Graduates can also enter the nonprofit realm, work for a lobbying firm, or begin careers in education or business. Many pursue graduate studies in law or public policy.

The BA in political science requires the completion of 36 credits distributed as follows, with a minimum grade of C in all courses. No more than 6 credits of internship (PO 295, PO 395) may count toward completion of the major.

The core requirements for the political science major are (18 credits):
PO 131 Introduction to American Government & Politics (3 credits)
PO 211 Introduction to International Relations (3 credits)
PO 215 Political Theory (3 credits)
PO 225 American Political Movements (3 credits
PO 401 Political Inquiry (3 credits)
PO 408 Senior Seminar (3 credits)

Electives (15 credits). Five political science courses or cognate.

A. Political science courses:

Course	Title	Credits
PO 205	Public Policy and Administration	3
PO 206	Ethics and Public Leadership	3
PO 216	American Political Thought	3
PO 218	Politics of Health	3
PO 219	Women and Political Thought	3
PO 221	Introduction to Latin America	3
PO 231	Elections and Political Parties	3
PO 245	International Political Economy	3
PO 247	Actors and Processes in U.S. Foreign Policy	3
PO 270	State and Local Government	3
PO 280	Congress and the Presidency	3
PO 287	Women and Public Policy	3
PO 299	Independent Study in Political Science	3
PO 311	Topics in International Relations	3
PO 315	Democratic Theory and Practice	3
PO 317	International Law	3
PO 318	Development of International Organizations	3
PO 321	Comparative Government	3
PO 325	Political Psychology and Public Opinion	3
PO 331	Topics in Comparative Government	3
PO 332	European Politics	3
PO 333	Middle Eastern History and Politics	3
PO 334	Topics in African Politics	3
PO 337	Human Rights: Theory and Practice	3
PO 342	Comparative Constitutional Law	3
PO 348	Political Communication	3
PO 350	Topics in Political Theory	3
PO 353	American Constitutional Law	3
PO 354	Civil Rights and Liberties I	3
PO 355	Civil Rights and Liberties II	3
PO 357	Supreme Court and Foreign Policy	3
PO 360	Topics in American Government	3
PO 362	Presidential Election Campaigns	3
PO 365	Inside Washington, D.C.	3
PO 390	Politics and Urban Change	3
PO 399	Intermediate Independent Study in Political Science	3
PO 499	Advanced Independent Study in Political Science	4

B. Cognate courses: In addition to political science courses, a student may count up to two of the following courses toward completion of the political science major:

IB 201 International Business (3 credits)
PS 261 Social Psychology (3 credits)
SO 264 Social Welfare Institutions (3 credits)
SO 285 Protest and Change (3 credits)
SO 340 Peace and Conflict Resolution (3 credits)

Experiential requirement
PO 395 Advanced Internship (3-6 credits) or equivalent approved by the department. Students should plan with their academic advisers early to complete this requirement before the start of their senior year. With departmental approval, PO 395 may be substituted with one of the following:

• Political science course taken in the study abroad program
• Political science course taken in the Washington, D.C. program
• Service learning course in any discipline, but must have “SL” designation

Portfolio Requirement
In addition, students in their senior year assemble a portfolio of representative academic work done in political science, which includes a senior thesis, internship paper (or equivalent) and other key assignments.

Tracks in Political Science
In addition to the core requirements common to all political science majors, those choosing to focus their studies in either the public policy and leadership track or the global affairs track choose from among the following electives:

Public Policy and Leadership Track (take 15 credits):

Course	Title	Credits
PO 205	Public Policy and Administration	3
PO 206	Ethics and Public Leadership	3
PO 231	Elections and Political Parties	3
PO 247	Actors and Processes in U.S. Foregin Policy	3
PO 270	State and Local Government	3
PO 280	Congress and the President	3
PO 287	Women and Public Policy	3
PO 315	Democratic Theory and Practice	3
PO 325	Political Psychology and Public Opinion	3
PO 360	Topics in American Politics	3
PO 362	Presidential Election Campaigns	3
PO 365	Inside Washington	3

Global Affairs Track (take 15 credits):

Course	Title	Credits
PO 221	Introduction to Latin America	3
PO 245	International Political Economy	3
PO 247	Actors and Processes in U.S. Foregin Policy	3
PO 311	Topics in International Relations	3
PO 317	International Law	3
PO 318	Development of International Organizations	3
PO 321	Comparative Government	3
PO 332	European Politics	3
PO 333	Middle Eastern History and Politics	3
PO 334	Topics in African Politics	3
PO 337	Human Rights: Theory and Practice	3

The Washington, D.C. semester programs are multidisciplinary, experiential learning programs bringing students from around the nation and the world to semester-length internships, research projects and seminars in the nation's capitol.

Quinnipiac is affiliated with two organizations, which offer modules that focus on students' particular areas of interest, such as American politics, economic policy, journalism, international development and the arts. Occasionally students have the opportunity for two-week inter-term and summer seminars. All students must complete an independent research project related to their experience in the program.

Quinnipiac students must have a 3.0 GPA or better to be eligible, and they should not be under any judicial sanctions. Students may have the GPA requirement waived by application to the associate vice president for academic affairs.

A minor in political science is awarded upon completion of 18 credits with a grade of C or better. At least 6 credits must be earned at the 300 level or above. No more than 3 credits of internship in political science (PO 295 or PO 395) may count toward completion of the minor.