Political Science

Program Objectives

The goal for study in political science is to maximize students’ capacity to analyze and interpret the significance and dynamics of political events and governmental processes. The purpose is not simply to arouse curiosity, purvey factual information, or reveal the significance of political events and issues. Instead, study in political science is intended to equip students for managing the effects of politics on themselves and society, while equipping them with the tools to evaluate and shape future political action. Political Science should prepare politically interested and concerned students to deal with their political world after graduation, in ways appropriate to their individual inclinations as actively engaged citizens in our democratic society.

Courses in political science are an integral facet of a well-rounded liberal arts education and are valuable to students from all academic disciplines. Students are encouraged to connect and apply their knowledge and skills to real-life political situations in off-campus settings during their time at Eastern.

Learning Outcomes

Inquiry: Evaluate problems of normative inquiry as well as those of empirical analysis, and synthesize the two appropriately in the analysis of the political ideas, values, and assumptions underlying public policy conflicts.
Content Knowledge: Assess different theories, concepts, methods, and analytical approaches employed by the discipline of political science.
Critical Thinking: Compare the problems of diversity faced by different peoples in different nations (including the student’s own), with the interrelated nature of the world’s political, economic, and social problems.
Communication: Judge contemporary political analysis via the ability to recognize arguments, test hypotheses, and support via oral and written communication.
Applied Learning and Civic Engagement: Apply contextual knowledge and skills to the public policy process and “real-life” political situations via the opportunity to observe and participate as an informed citizen in a variety of on and off-campus settings.

Means of Assessment

Political Science students are evaluated in a variety of ways across the curriculum. Evaluation modes and strategies attempt to measure program learning outcomes. Objective exams measure student mastery of the concepts, critical thinking, and logic skills underlying the study of political science. Writing in a variety of formats including policy memoranda, short essay examinations, critical reading summaries, and research papers of varying length hone the student’s abilities in communication, persuasion, and critical thinking. Role-playing exercises and group processes improve the student’s ability to work in collaborative situations. Students are encouraged to self-assess their own learning as well as develop an understanding of the evaluative strategies utilized by faculty members.

Programs

Major(s)

Politics, Policy & Public Administration Major

Minor(s)