Mission and Student Learning Outcomes

Mission

The Political Science Department offers a diverse and flexible curriculum designed to help students prepare for meaningful careers in government, public service, law, journalism, teaching and other related areas. Students work closely with faculty advisors to plan their study and are encouraged to sample widely from a variety of course offerings. Students also participate in community service and/or research activities appropriate to their career goals and interests.

Student Learning Outcomes

Political Science Outcome No. 1 : Critical Thinking and Effective Communication (University SLO #1)

• Students learn to analyze political issues and phenomena using political science concepts, theories, and methods.
• Students critically evaluate political claims based on careful scrutiny of the underlying argument and evidence.
• Students effectively use argument and evidence to communicate and support original analysis of political phenomenon.

Through the careful reading of texts and the analysis of argument and evidence, students will develop the skills necessary for critical thinking, clear and thoughtful communication and honest and open inquiry. Students will develop and practice these skills throughout the curriculum.

Political Science Outcome No. 2 : Substantive Knowledge and Interdisciplinarity (University SLO #2)

• Students learn the defining concepts, theories, and methods of political science.
• Students explore the complex interrelationships between political, economic, social, cultural, and historical forces.

By situating political phenomena in a broader social, economic, cultural, and historical context political science students learn that political thinking is inherently interdisciplinary. Students in political science learn and apply insights from political science and other disciplines to understand complex social and natural phenomena.

Political Science Outcome No. 3 : Civic Engagement (University SLO #5)

• Students learn to put political knowledge to work in internships and community service learning projects.
• Students learn to see and make the connection between political concepts, theories, and methods and political experience.
• Students learn to make local-global connections.

Politics is not a spectator sport but a human activity that is best understood by bringing theory and practice together through experience. Political Science students are afforded structured opportunities throughout their course of study to be engaged in the observation and practice of politics: internships and community service based courses allow students to see for themselves the importance of civic participation at all levels of governance. This learning through reflective doing makes an essential connection to University Outcome No. 5

• University Mission Statement
• University Student Learning Outcomes