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.

The major in Politics, Policy & Public Administration will build on the traditional strengths of the liberal arts, while at the same time providing the necessary management skills required for the unique responsibilities of the public sector. The program will introduce students to the political, economic, and legal environments of a variety of public sector and nonprofit organizations. It stresses the analytical and problem-solving skills required of public administrators and the need to creatively apply appropriate data evaluation methods and techniques. It will also prepare students for careers in public and non-profit agencies, as well as graduate study in public and private administration.

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. Produce effective and integrated application of the economic, legal, and political institutions, systems, and processes in the public sector.
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. Evaluate the use of analytical and quantitative abilities and skills for defining and solving administrative systems and problems.
Communication: Judge contemporary political analysis via the ability to recognize arguments, test hypotheses, and support via oral and written communication. Apply effective oral and written communication skills through interdisciplinary policy analysis.
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. Demonstrate a commitment to civic responsibility through participation 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.

Politics, Policy & Public Administration majors are evaluated in a variety of ways. They complete with a grade of C- or better required and elective courses that reinforce their knowledge of the economic, legal, and political processes, institutions, and environments in the public sector and nonprofit organizations.

Traditional assessment tools such as written and oral testing, oral presentations and written research papers, assessment using the analytic and problem-solving skills required of public administrators, and the application of appropriate data evaluation methods and techniques will provide opportunities for students to demonstrate their learning. Whenever applicable, proficiency guidelines identified in Program Learning Outcomes and General Education Outcomes will be presented and explained to students, and other scoring guides and rubrics will inform students of assessors’ expectations.

Students earning the Politics, Policy & Public Administration degree will complete their studies with a capstone project. In preparation for this individually designed applied research project, students will enroll in POLS 450 - Applied Policy Analysis where they will conduct a detailed, critical analysis of a public sector policy issue. The conclusion of the Capstone project includes a presentation and discussion of the project to relevant faculty, and if appropriate, at the student research symposium at EOU, “Sharing the Learning.”

Programs

Major(s)

Politics, Policy & Public Administration Major

Minor(s)