Student Travels and Activities
In addition to the hundreds of students throughout the B-W campus who take Political Science courses to fulfill core requirements and personal interests, our department works closely with over 175 students majoring in Political Science, International Studies, and Criminal Justice Studies. Our faculty serve as advisors for these students in addition to teaching a variety of courses that fulfill the requirements of the three majors.
The Political Science major requires students to take five four credit courses in American National Government, International Politics, Modern Governments, Political Theory, and Political Analysis. Majors are also required to take an additional five courses totalling fifteen semester hours, at least two of which must be taken at the 300-400 level.
The Political Science minor requires students to take two of the five four credit courses listed above, plus two advanced courses, and an additional elective, totalling 17 credits.
Requirements for the International Studies and Criminal Justice majors can be found on separate pages as listed under Academic Programs.
Our students engage in a wide variety of activities in and out of the classroom. Recent examples include our Freedom Road Tour, a ten week program led by Professor Charles Burke that is taking fifteen students on a road trip across the South, Midwest, and Eastern United States to retrace the steps of the civil rights movement. Our department also has a vigorous Model U.N. program, with award-winning teams competing in the National Model U.N. each year at Harvard University, a regional U.N. program at Case Western Reserve University, and a Model Organization of African Unity (OAU) program at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
The political science faculty emphasize the importance of open debate, rigorous studies, and teaching students the latest information, theory, and analytical techniques in political science. Faculty use a variety of teaching techniques to stimulate thought and discussion, such as simulation activities, debates, student presentations, Socratic dialogue, group projects and field research. The faculty are committed to encouraging students to become engaged in course material, with the hope of increasing interest and participation in civic activity in communities, the nation, and the world.
275 Eastland Rd.