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Politics

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Politics (B.A.)

Resources for the study of politics in the Washington area are extraordinary, and students have the opportunity to participate frequently in many history-making events that occur in this capital city. The program presents a structured curriculum of courses in political theory, international relations, and the politics and governmental institutions of the United States and foreign countries. Students majoring in Politics are encouraged to consider a minor in Communication, Economics, English, History, Information Technology, or Philosophy.

Seniors are required to complete an internship in a government agency, congressional office, corporate government affairs department, or other site approved by the academic internship mentor for Politics. Seniors must also complete the senior seminar and a comprehensive examination.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to

demonstrate knowledge of political theory, principles, and functions of American government, and international relations through various methods of political analysis;
demonstrate satisfactory skills in the development of a research question and/or thesis, gathering appropriate evidence from primary and/or secondary sources related to that question, providing an analysis of that evidence in a well-written and well-organized research paper that affirms or refutes the research question and/or thesis; and
present themselves as professionals by effectively utilizing their critical analysis, problem solving, and communication skills in applied settings such as an internship.

Politics Honors: Students who major in Politics, achieve at graduation a GPA of 3.5 in Politics courses (at least 8 of which must be completed at Marymount University), and achieve superior performance in the senior thesis and comprehensive examination are eligible to graduate with honors in Politics.

Degree Requirements

Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements

See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details.

Major Requirements

To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with a faculty advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.

ECO 210 Principles of Microeconomics

ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics

HU 201 The Western Tradition I

HU 202 The Western Tradition II

POL 210 Western Political Concepts I

POL 211 Western Political Concepts II

POL 220 International Relations

POL 225 Comparative Government

POL 250 Research and Writing

POL 305 American Policy Process

POL 335 American Constitutional Law

POL 400 Internship

POL 420 Senior Seminar

18 additional credits in Politics electives

Sample Degree Plan — Politics

Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.

Year One — Fall

HU 201 The Western Tradition I §

POL 220 International Relations §

EN 101 Composition I (WR core course)*

Introductory History (HI-1) core course*

DSC 101 DISCOVER First-Year Seminar*

Year One — Spring

ECO 210 Principles of Microeconomics (SS-1 core course) § *

HU 202 The Western Tradition II §

EN 102 Composition II (WR core course)*

MA 132 Statistical Analysis (MT core course)*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course*

Year Two — Fall

ECO 211 Principles of Macroeconomics §

POL 210 Western Political Concepts I §

POL 250 Research and Writing § *

Natural Science (NS) core course*

TRS 100 Theological Inquiry (TRS-1 core course)*

Year Two — Spring

POL 211 Western Political Concepts II §

POL 225 Comparative Government §

POL 305 American Policy Process (SS-2 core course) § *

Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course*

PH 200 Introduction to Philosophy (PH-1 core course)*

Year Three — Fall

POL 335 American Constitutional Law §

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course (Advanced History recommended)*

Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course*

Introductory Social Science (SS-1) or Natural Science (NS) core course*

Elective

Year Three — Spring

Three (3) 300/400-level Politics courses §

Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course*

Elective

Year Four — Fall

Two (2) 300/400-level Politics courses §

Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course*

Two (2) electives

Year Four — Spring

POL 400 Internship § **

POL 420 Senior Seminar § *

Two (2) electives

§ Requirement for the major

* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and Course Descriptions for further information.

** Internship may be taken for 6 credits or 3 credits plus one (1) 300/400-level Politics course. POL 400 fulfills University Requirement for Experiential Learning.