Political Science, BA

Introduction

Political Science is the study of politics, which is the process of decision-making that shapes how we govern our societies.  It focuses on the analysis of power, relationships, and decision-making patterns that shape and determine the outcomes of vital social, economic, and policy issues.  Therefore, much of political science involves the study of government (the arena in which public issues are raised and resolved), the study of human behavior (the focus of social sciences), the study of public policy (the outcome of many decisions in government), and the study of institutions (the places or venues through which governance occurs). 

The Political Science (POLS) program offers a broad civic education, with focused coursework in American politics, law, political behavior, comparative politics, international relations, race and politics, public policy, and political theory.

POLS provides its students with three kinds of knowledge and skills, and upon completion of the program, graduates should be able to:

1. Conduct Political Analysis. This is defined as the ability to apply qualitative and/or quantitative methods to critically analyze a social or political question related to any field of political or social science that may include (1) political theory, (2) legal/Constitutional issues, (3) American or comparative political institutions, (4) American or comparative political processes, (5) international relations, or (6) American or comparative political behavior.

2. Demonstrate critical thinking through logical argument. We define critical thinking as the ability to (1) Clearly and comprehensively explain issue(s)/argument to be examined, (2) Clearly present an argument or thesis to be defended, (3) Clearly present evidence in support of argument/thesis, (4) Thoroughly analyze own and others’ assumptions and carefully evaluates the relevance of contexts when presenting position, and (5) Draw conclusions that are logical and reflect an informed evaluation of the evidence presented.

3. Communicate effectively through writing. This is defined as demonstrating political knowledge, analysis, and critical thinking skills through writing. We teach elements of writing that we value in several courses, with all of our students completing at least two (2) major research projects with article-length papers. 

Additionally, our faculty focus on increasing civic engagement among our students, which is a capacity for personal political analysis that includes the ability to define personal goals and normative values and to understand political behavior and ideologies sufficiently to select the appropriate means for achieving those goals. 

The Political Science program is also committed to constant reinforcement of broadly transferable skills (Stockton’s Essential Learning Outcomes) such as critical thinking, writing and other communication skills, information literacy and research skills, global awareness, quantitative reasoning, and ethical reasoning. 

Program Organization

The strength of the Political Science program at Stockton lies in the flexibility our students must focus on the sub-fields and topics of their choosing.  Students work with a preceptor (i.e., faculty advisor) to define a series of courses within the Political Science/Cognate or At-Some-Distance (ASD) categories of their curriculum that reflect their special academic interests and enhance their career preparation. Course work is offered in a variety of formats: lecture, seminar, in-person, and online.  In addition to the normal Fall and Spring semesters, we also offer summer courses in political science. Optional internships are available at the local, state, and federal levels. Independent studies are encouraged for students who wish to pursue special topics, themes, or problems in greater depth than would normally be available through general course offerings. 

To ensure that each student’s interests and goals are pursued through a coherent selection of courses, each Political Science major is assigned a preceptor from the program faculty (i.e., a faculty advisor). Together the student and their preceptor develop a sequence of courses tailored to the academic aspirations of the student within the parameters of the discipline. 

Curriculum Overview

All Political Science students must take three required POLS courses – Introduction to American Politics (POLS 2100), Political Methodology (POLS 3150) and Senior Seminar (POLS 4695), and one required Cognate/ASD course-Statistics (CIST/CSIS 1206) as a prerequisite for POLS 3150.  All POLS students must take a minimum of ten (10) courses or forty (40) credits in POLS to graduate, regardless of their concentration.  Students are not required but strongly recommended to take POLS 1100: Introduction to Politics (offered each semester); this course provides an integrated overview of the discipline, including the basic theories, concepts, approaches, and enduring questions of political science.  It also provides students with a foundation of knowledge and analytical skills necessary for an individual interested in politics.  

There are a few restrictions for when students can register for their required POLS course.  Political Science majors must take the required courses of POLS2100 Intro to American Government and POLS 3150 Political Methodology before they earn 76 credits, which is generally before the second semester of senior year. POLS 1100 is also restricted to student’s below junior level. CIST/CSIS 1206 is a prerequisite for POLS 3150 Political Methodology and must be taken prior – many students successfully request permission to take Statistics outside of Stockton, using njtransfer.com to view equivalent courses. Please note: current Stockton students must follow all university policies and procedures for taking courses outside of Stockton for their credits to transfer. POLS 3150 is a prerequisite to POLS 4695 Senior Seminar and must be taken before students earn 95 credits, which is generally the end of junior year.  First year students are not allowed to take POLS 3150, and we require that students take POLS 3150 before the second semester of their junior year; students who don’t meet this requirement may request approval from the chair to take POLS 3150 after they have earned 76 credits. POLS 4695 Senior Seminar can be taken by students at any time during their senior year, after they earn 96 credits and successfully completed 28 POLS credits (including POLS Political Methodology and POLS 2100 Introduction to American Politics). The failure to pass POLS 3150 will lead to being automatically dropped from Senior Seminar. 

We recommend that students take a variety of introductory courses at the 2000-level, each representing the major areas within political science. More specialized courses in these areas can be taken at the 3000-4000 level. Our faculty teach specialized courses in American Politics, Law, Political behavior and Analysis, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Public Policy, and Political Theory. Students should choose a variety of course formats (e.g., lecture, seminar, online, in-person, independent study) and should consider doing a local/state internship or enrolling in the Washington Internship Program (WIP) where they work and take classes in D.C. for a semester (POLS 3900, WASH 3940, 3620, and 3300). Up to 12 internship credits may be applied to the total number of credits required for the Political Science major and cognates. A student must receive prior approval from the internship coordinator and program chair to apply more than four internship credits to a Political Science concentration. 

Students are also strongly encouraged to consider adding a Minor and/or receive training in a foreign language, statistical analysis, qualitative methods, and/or other skills relevant to their field of interest (e.g., computer science or geographic information systems (GIS)). Students interested in graduate school are advised to take language training and/or advanced training in statistical analysis or other modes of methodological analysis, depending on their area of interest. 

Graduation Requirements

To receive a B.A. degree in Political Science, a student is required to complete a minimum of 40 credits (10 courses) in Political Science and 24 credits (six courses) in cognate areas, which include additional political science courses, historical studies, criminal justice, economics, anthropology, psychology, social work, sociology, gerontology, public/business law or philosophy (only PHIL 1203, PHIL 1204, or PHIL 2211). Another 64 credits (14 courses) are required in General Studies and At-Some-Distance (ASD), for a total of 128 credits.  Please note that General Studies requirements for transfer students vary based on the total number of accepted credits, and this will be reflected in the student’s individual degree program.  Transfer students are strongly encouraged to review their transcripts with their assigned preceptor (i.e., faculty advisor) to ensure their transfer courses are appropriately matched to these requirements. 

Admission to the Program

The Political Science program is open to any Stockton student with an interest in government and politics. All students must declare a major by the beginning of their junior year or, if applicable, immediately upon their entrance as a transfer student if they enter Stockton during their junior year. 

Political Science Minor

For students in other majors who desire a background in government and politics, the program offers a minor in Political Science that consists of five (5) courses in any of the following fields of study:  American Politics, the Law, Public Policy, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Students must take a minimum of two POLS courses at the introductory level (1000-2000), which comprise a basic core that will introduce the student to the ideas and language of political science. Then, students must take two upper-level POLS courses (3000 level or above) to pursue in more depth material that has been learned in the introductory courses or to apply it in a work setting through a 4-credit internship experience. The fifth required POLS course can be taken at any level.  No more than one 4-credit internship may be counted for the minor. Students can add their own POLS minor through the Go Stockton portal by accessing the Student Services tab >Student Tools >Change of Major/Minor. Students should also meet with any member of the POLS faculty to work out a coherent Minor program tailored to their needs and interests. 

Graduation with Distinction and Honors

A Bachelor of Arts degree with Distinction in Political Science will be awarded to those students who achieve University Honors and have a grade point average of at least 3.75 in all Political Science courses and an A in Senior Seminar. 

Pi Sigma Alpha Honors Society

Stockton’s chapter of the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society (Alpha Zeta Rho) is open to students who have completed five POLS courses (3 introductory and 2 upper-division) and have a minimum B average in their POLS courses. Membership in the chapter includes the option of commencement regalia (honor cord/medallion), scholarships for Washington Internships, competitions for chapter activity grants and student papers, participation in the honor society’s national student conference, consideration for higher entry-level positions in federal employment than nonmember applicants, the Pi Sigma Alpha Newsletter, and the Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics. Please contact the chapter adviser, Dr. Lauren Balasco, for additional information. 

Experiential Learning and Special Opportunities

The Political Science program offers numerous special opportunities to enrich classroom-based learning. All students are encouraged to take advantage of one or more of the following: 

Internships

Political Science strongly recommends internships as an integral part of our students' curriculum. Internships provide practical knowledge of government and politics and personal contacts that may result in employment after graduation. 

State and local internships are those with a local public prosecutor’s or defender’s office, a non-profit organization, an advocacy group, the local staff of a State Senator, Assemblyman or Assemblywoman, or any number of government agencies or politically active organizations. Students interested in arranging a state or local internship or who have already secured an internship and would like to receive POLS credits (POLS 3900 Local Internship) should go to the SOBL website for academic internships at http://stockton.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/internship. Dr. Michael Rodriguez supervises POLS 3900, and the SOBL internship Coordinator assists with internships placements, affiliation agreements, and more.

The Washington Internship Program (WIP) is an extraordinary opportunity to spend an entire academic term (Fall/Spring/Summer) in Washington, DC, working in a variety of settings and completing an entire semester’s worth of credit (16 credits). Participants in the program work in a variety of governmental, political, nonprofit, and private sector settings. Students interested in this program  visit the WIP website at http://stockton.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/washington-internship-program.html and contact Dr. Michael Rodriguez as early as possible. 

International Study Abroad Opportunities

Political Science students are encouraged to spend a semester studying abroad and/or participate in a Stockton faculty-led study tour where they can travel internationally for 1-3 weeks through a Stockton University course (typically a G course).  Students should contact the Office of Global Engagement to learn more about these and other opportunities https://stockton.edu/global-engagement/education-abroad/index.html. 

William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy

The Hughes Center for Public Policy, housed in the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences (SOBL), provides students with opportunities to conduct research with faculty serving as Public Policy Research Fellows, apply for student jobs, and be a part of an annual cycle of events that bring speakers to campus. Political Science students have worked with the Stockton Polling Institute at the Hughes Public Policy Center, conducted research through internships, and taken advantage of other opportunities. Students should contact the Hughes Center for Public Policy for more information https://stockton.edu/hughes-center. 

The American Democracy Project/Political Engagement Project (ADP/PEP)

The American Democracy Project at Stockton is a university-wide initiative that is connected with national projects co-sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), and participating campuses. University faculty participating in these projects foster civic and political engagement of students through a variety of types of programming, including Constitution Day, lectures from Stockton faculty and outside guest speakers, and support for voter registration. As a result of its excellence in these programs and others, the University has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as meeting the standards for being designated as a “Community Engaged Institution.” Please contact Dr. Claire Abernathy for more information (https://stockton.edu/american-democracy-project). 

Student Organizations

The Political Science program supports and provides advisory assistance to a wide range of additional student clubs and organizations. Each semester, the Office of Student Development hosts a Get Involved Fair where students can learn more about these opportunities. For up-to-date information on student clubs and events, please visit Osprey Hub (the required website for all student clubs). Active student clubs for POLS students include Stockton Republicans and Stockton Democrats, Model United Nations, Minorities in the Law, Pre-Law Society, Mock Trial, Amnesty International, and others. 

Certificate in Public Policy

The Public Policy Certificate is for students who wish to study public policy, an interdisciplinary field that combines skills and a base of knowledge from Economics and Political Science with issue areas such as Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Business Law, Health, Aging, and more, to analyze and evaluate public policy at the local, state, national, and global levels. 

Career Counseling

The Political Science program has a commitment to helping students define and plan a career. Students are highly encouraged to visit the Career Education & Development Office in the Campus Center, which Political Science partners with to provide resources and opportunities for career development. The Political Science faculty provides students with information on employment opportunities and the best educational preparation for employment in those areas.  The program encourages students to develop clusters of courses designed to gain expertise in particular areas (these special clusters can involve skills, or special areas of interests). Internship programs also provide opportunities for students to gain real-life experience in areas of career interest. 

The Political Science program also holds an annual spring celebration where faculty connect alumni in the law with current students, where alumni offer practical insights based on their experiences. 

Program Concentrations

Political Science offers students 54 B.A. options (i.e., concentrations): General, Pre-Law, International Affairs, Social Studies Education (for K-12 certification in Social Studies in NJ), and a 4+1 dual degree where students can earn a B.A. in POLS and an M.A. in American Studies in five years. As a broad liberal arts major, Political Science is an excellent basis for a wide variety of careers. The Political Science faculty helps students develop a collection of courses, internships, and graduate or professional school options appropriate to their career goals. Students with general knowledge in Political Science often pursue careers in international organizations, business, the media, teaching, and national, state, and local government. Students may select a POLS concentration and a Minors through the Go Portal Student Services tab and should notify their preceptor as early as possible to ensure they take courses towards the requirements for their concentration. Students pursuing a concentration are required to meet with their preceptor each term prior to enrolling in courses for the following term. 

International Affairs

This concentration is designed for students who plan to pursue careers or graduate school in international affairs, broadly defined. Courses in this concentration include courses in Comparative Politics and International Relations with an emphasis on global governance, human security, human rights, transitional societies, and diplomacy. Students seeking this concentration are strongly encouraged to enhance their coursework with involvement in student clubs such as Model UN and Amnesty International and pursue opportunities for study abroad and consider adding a Minor focusing on specific regions or issue areas of global concern. Additionally, there are opportunities to attend panels, workshops, and networking events in New York, Washington, DC, and local area. 

To obtain the International Affairs concentration, students must take a total of six courses (or 24 credits) at any level. Two (2) courses are required: POLS 2170 Introduction to Comparative Politics and POLS 2170 Introduction to International Politics. Students can then choose four additional courses from POLS (2140, 2146, 2274, 3221, 3313, 3345, 3360, 3628, 3645, 3658, or 3662) OR Cognates (HIST 2146 or ANTH 2136, 2245, 2436, 3233 or ECON 1200, 3636, 3655, 3670 or LANG 0000:3999, or MAGH 5000:5999, or MGMT 3113, or PHIL 1203, 2112, or POLS 2140, 2146, 2274, 3221, 3313, 3360, 3628, 3645, 3656, 3660, 3628, 3658, 3662, 3665, or SUST 2701) Independent Studies (POLS 4800), state/local internships (POLS 3900), or Washington internship (WASH 3940) that provide direct experience in international affairs may satisfy one of the International Affairs POLS electives, if requested in writing to a preceptor or the POLS Chair. Students may also request approval for other International Affairs courses not listed here.  Students seeking certification in International Affairs concentration are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with Dr. Lauren Balasco or Dr. Tina Zappile. 

Pre-Law

This concentration is designed for students who plan to attend law school. Stockton’s Political Science graduates have had extraordinary success in gaining admission to law school by taking advantage of a rich array of legal studies courses that both help them get into law school and prepare them for success throughout their legal education. Courses in this concentration provide instruction in substantive areas of law and enhance students’ skills in analytical and critical thinking, legal reasoning, writing, and comprehending judicial opinions. The concentration is also valuable to students interested in paralegal careers. 

Students seeking the pre-law concentration must consult with their program preceptor once each semester. To obtain the pre-law certification, students must take at least five courses. Two (2) of the following three (3) courses are required: POLS 2215 Law School Basics, POLS 3221 Constitutional Law, or POLS 3225 Civil Liberties. The remaining three (3) courses include one of the courses listed above, and/or  any other recommended POLS courses (POLS 2190 or 2211 or 3123 or 3228 or 3285 or 3300 or 3313 or 3612 or 3621 or 3610) OR any recommended Cognates (CRIM 2210 or 2308 or ENVL 3313 or GERO 2230 or PUBH 4110 or PHIL 1204 or 1401 or PLAW 2120 or 3110 or 3150 or 3620 or 3630 or 4100 or 4160 or SOCY 2210 or SUST 3300 or 3310). Note that independent studies (POLS 4800), state/local internships (POLS 3900), or Washington internship (WASH 3940) that provide direct experience in law or the judiciary may satisfy one of the required courses for the pre-law concentration, if requested in writing to a preceptor or the POLS Chair.  All pre-law students must still meet the degree requirement of 40 POLS credits (10 courses) to graduate. 

Pre-law students are strongly encouraged to meet regularly with the University’s Pre-Law Coordinator, Dr. Lauren Balasco, and attend workshops offered by the Political Science program each semester on the law school admissions process. Please visit the Pre-Law Advising website at https://stockton.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/pre-law-advising.html for more information. 

Social Studies Education

A degree in Political Science can provide excellent preparation for a career in teaching. This concentration helps prepare students for this career, with a particular focus on K-12 social studies education. Students seeking teacher certification must meet both the requirements for graduation in Political Science and the state requirements for teacher certification. 

Since several of the state requirements can be met by the same courses that are required for the Political Science major, it is highly recommended that students meet regularly with their program preceptor as well as their education preceptor to maximize strategic course selection. The Political Science faculty are familiar with the content knowledge requirements of the Praxis II teacher licensure and certification exam, and much of the skills and knowledge requirements of this exam are incorporated into the Political Science curriculum. Students interested in pursuing teaching certification should also regularly consult their assigned Education preceptor, the School of Education staff, and/or the Bulletin site for the most up-to-date curriculum information to meet program and state requirements. This includes important information on entrance requirements that must be met before professional education courses can be taken including a state-mandated entrance exam (Praxis Core or equivalent), 3.0 GPA, and self-paced orientation/entrance modules. Failure to meet these requirements can mean a delay in study. Concentration requirements can change frequently, as state requirements for teacher certification and the related requirements of the School of Education are revised. 

The NJ Department of Education requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA to be certified. Current state requirements for social studies teacher certification require a minimum of 30 credits of study in the area of social studies, including 12 credits at the 3000/4000 level and 15 HIST credits (at least one American and one World History course). 

This concentration defines a designated set of options in Political Science and other courses that can help students meet both sets of requirements. Students must also take specific Education courses set forth in the School of Education’s curriculum. For details regarding these requirements, please consult the software, Degree Works, utilized by the university. Additional information regarding education courses that are required for students accepted into the sequence is located on the website. 

Full details about the POLS curriculum can be accessed on the Political Science website.