Political Science Program
Political scientists study government institutions and the political systems related to them. Students who major in political science take courses that give them a thorough understanding of the American political system, the political systems of other nations, and international politics. Twenty-four of the 39 credits in this major must be taken in core requirements and the others consist of electives. Political science majors have gone on to careers in law, politics, high school teaching, and government service.
At Lebanon Valley College, you can earn a bachelor of arts in political science. This degree program is oriented to the study of government and politics, with a particular interest in the political behavior of individuals, groups, and institutions. It also emphasizes an understanding of public policy processes in the domestic and international fields. The program is designed to provide a sound knowledge of essential principles and problems within a broad liberal arts education. It seeks to enhance the student's ability to analyze politics and to develop his or her values with respect to politics and government. Careers in political science are bridges to a wide variety of exciting and rewarding careers. A minor in political science is also available.
HONORS PROGRAM
Students with a political science major GPA of 3.5 or higher may apply for departmental honors at graduation. The following document explains the procedures required:
Political Science Honors Requirements.
POLITICAL SCIENCE STUDENTS PRESENT RESEARCH TO THE PUBLIC
Christa Levko ('12) presented a poster on her research on the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Ashcroft v. Iqbal at the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association at Muhlenburg College in March 2012 and at the Midwest Political Science Association Meeting in Chicago in April 2012
Nicole Sidel ('12) and
Wade Meyerhoffer ('13) presented legislative proposals and supporting bill analyses that they developed while serving as Bipartisan Legislative Fellows at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in April 2012
Zoe Sponeybarger ('12) and
Robert Miske (Economics '12) presented a public policy research paper on new commuter options in Central Pennsylvania to the annual meeting of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association at Muhlenburg College in March 2012
Dylan Reed ('13) presented research supporting the legislative proposal he developed while serving as a Bipartisan Legislative Fellow at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in December 2011
Tiffany Hubble ('11) offered a poster presentation at the Midwest Political Science Association Meeting in Chicago in April 2011
Chris Klimovitz ('11) presented a paper at the Pennsylvania Political Science Association meeting in Harrisburg in April 2011
Paul Anderson ('11) presented research supporting the legislative proposal he developed while serving as a Bipartisan Legislative Fellow at the Pennsylvania House of Representatives at the Pennsylvania State Capitol in April 2011
Degree Requirements: Bachelor of Arts with a major in political science
A student majoring in political science must take 39 credits in the discipline.
Required courses:
PSC 100 Intro. to Political Science| This course is designed as a broadly-based introduction to the discipline of political science. It will acquaint students with the concepts, structures, trends, and belief systems that form the basis of political activity throughout the world. Those taking the course will leave with an enhanced understanding of - if not appreciation for - the multiple ideologies, institutions, issues, and actors that shape and drive politics. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
| This course provides a survey of key developments, institutions, and issues in American politics. Topics include the ideas that shaped the original American political system, the presidency; Congress and federal courts; the operation of political parties and interest groups; domestic and foreign policy debates; and contemporary issues such as civil rights and affirmative action. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
| This is an introduction to the study of comparative politics: the comparison of political systems in order to understand how and why these systems function differently. The course is built around three fundamental questions: What is comparative politics? What kinds of phenomena do we compare? What are the major theoretical approaches that guide our studies? We also examine distinctions between the "developing" and the "developed" worlds, and between authoritarian and democratic political regimes. Prerequisites: Sophomore standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
| This course is designed to expose students to the study of concepts and theories of international relations. It will provide students with a conceptual approach to understanding the principal actors in the international system and a systematic analysis of advanced international relations theories, namely realism, liberalism, radicalism, constructivism, and feminism. Topics addressed include international relations theory, history of international relations, the global system, the state and the individual, global organizations, non-governmental organizations, international law, war and strife, international political economy, and transnational issues. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. 3 credits. |
| Students in this course study the development of Western political thought from Classical Greece to modern times, examining the conceptual evolution of citizenship, civic obligation, and the nature of justice and exploring the connection between moral and positive law in the western tradition. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. (This course is cross-listed with PHL 345) |
| This is an introduction to the design and evaluation of political research: formulating clear hypotheses, developing appropriate measures, and analyzing data using simple statistical methods and qualitative techniques; emphasizes clear exposition of arguments, interpretation, and findings. Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
| This seminar allows junior and senior political science majors to pursue a research interest within a broad topic area prescribed for each semester the seminar is given. Students will present their work at an undergraduate research conference hosted by a regional university. Fulfills general education requirement: Writing Process. Prerequisites: Major in political science and junior or senior standing or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. |
One of:
ECN 101 Principles of Microeconomics| The course examines how individuals and firms make choices within the institution of free-market capitalism. Individuals decide how much of their time to spend working and what to buy with the earnings of their labor. Firms decide how much to produce and in some cases what price to charge for their goods. Together these choices determine what is produced, how it is produced, and for whom it is produced in our economic system. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
| This course extends the study of consumer and producer choices to discover how they affect the nation's economy. Macroeconomics deals with the economy as a whole as measured by the key variables of inflation, unemployment, and economic growth. Emphasis is on both Keynesian and classical theories and how they predict what monetary and fiscal policies can be used to affect these variables and reach national economic goals. Fulfills general education requirement: Liberal Studies Area 2 (Social Science). 3 credits. |
Five elective courses in political science are required.