Political Science

  • POLS

    What is Political Science?

    Political Science is the study of the formal institutions of government and the actual behavior of people in public life. It examines both the institutions and processes of government using both empirical and normative research methodologies. A degree with a major in political science is of value to all persons who take the responsibilities and opportunities of membership in a democratic society seriously. Specifically, political science is the undergraduate major of a majority of persons who attend law school; serves as prerequisite for graduate study in a number of social science disciplines; and is an ideal liberal arts major for careers in business, journalism, public and international affairs, the federal government, state and local government, teaching, interest groups, campaign management, communications, and many others.

    Supervised internships and cooperative study programs at sites in business, industry and government are available and students are strongly urged to participate.

    Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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    Admission Requirements

    None.

    This program does not have specific admission requirements. Only admission to Kennesaw State University is required to declare this major.

    Double Owl Pathways

    Related Minors or Certificates Available

    • Intelligence and Homeland Security Certificate
    • Crisis Preparedness Minor
    • International Affairs Minor
    • Political Science Minor

     

    Sample Classes

    • State and local governments are increasingly important arenas of policymaking and political conflict in the United States. Around the country states are in the forefront of public policymaking and political controversy on issues ranging from economic development, education, labor relations, health care, environmental protection and marijuana laws, to social issues such as abortion, contraception, same-sex marriage and LGBT rights. Even when the federal government sets agendas and policies, state and local governments are often where implementation actually comes into contact with real people like you and me.

    • This class examines courts in the United States from an institutional perspective. Accordingly, most of the focus is on federal courts as the co-equal third branch of the U.S. government. Court structures, the role of courts, the legal process, and interactions between the judiciary and other institutions are all covered.

    • This class examines political parties, interest groups, and lobbying in the American political system. Accordingly, most of the focus is on political party and interest group dynamics from historical and modern perspectives, and implications in terms of the current political climate and for the future. In addition, the course addresses the ways in which groups and individuals leverage their influence to impact political outcomes.

    • An examination of the ways in which the courts and the law in different countries affect public policy. The source and methods utilized in different legal systems (both democratic and nondemocratic) as transforming agents of society and/or means for maintaining order within it are explored.

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