Faculty:

• Michael Cary, D.A.
• Roni Kay O’Dell, Ph.D.

The study of political science provides the background needed for a wide variety of interesting careers, including in the legal field. SHU’s political science pre-law major is designed for students who desire to enter into the legal field in some capacity (career options include attorney, legal assistant, paralegal, trial or jury consultant, various judiciary positions, etc.). Students in the pre-law political science major take additional courses (beyond the political science major) that expand upon their education by providing the foundational knowledge that will make them competitive when applying to law school or seeking positions in the legal field that don’t require a law degree.

Learning Objectives: Political Science

1. Identify, explain, and analyze political science terms and concepts.
2. Critically analyze political communication (rhetoric, images, etc.) using appropriate terminology.
3. Assess national and international conditions of privilege and oppression by engaging in reflective investigation of political, social, and economic structures.
4. Identify and explain relationships between politics and geography, including the impact of physical, political, and economic place on human society.
5. Analyze and compare similarities and differences between nation states, international organizations, regions, and cultures.
6. Identify and discuss political and ethical issues related to citizenship, civic obligation, and social justice.
7. Engage in independent research using appropriate primary and secondary sources and quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry.

All candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree in political science must complete the Liberal Arts Curriculum requirements, the capstone assessment requirement, and the required courses for the major.

The capstone assessment includes successful completion of a policy research paper in SPS 400  , applying skills developed in SPS 405  , and other coursework.

A minimum of 120 credits is required.