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Political Science  

Major Overview 

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BAPS) degree builds on the academic tradition and strong international relations curriculum provided at ACM and its study abroad institute, IAU. ACM strives to create global ethical leaders and policymakers in an increasingly interconnected global community which includes classroom discussions on European, French, Mediterranean, and North African topics facilitated by accomplished and well-traveled faculty. As a part of ACM’s ‘Social Issues Across the Curriculum’ initiative, students and faculty weave topics related to race, class, and gender into everyday discussion both in and out of the classroom. Additionally, during their undergraduate career, students will participate in ACM’s Global Diversity (GD) requirement, taking at least one course that meets the GD requirement, which focuses on exploring and analyzing typically underrepresented groups of people on the global stage and incorporate international and cross-cultural studies. These experiences allow graduates holding a BAPS to enter the global workforce with a wealth of knowledge gained through experiential learning.  

Course Requirements 

ACM’s Bachelor of Arts in Political Science requires students to satisfy the ACM Core Curriculum and the following major requirements.  

Lower-Division Courses (12 credits required) (can be used for Core Curriculum credits)  

  • POL 103: Political Theory 

  • POL 105: Introduction to Comparative Politics 

  • POL 106: International Relations 

Upper-Division Courses (33 credits required) 

  • IRL/POL 303: International Relations 

  • HIS 301: Europe, from Invention of Cinema to Trench Warfare

  • HIS 303: European History and the Cold War 

  • HIS/SOC 304: Muslim Presence in Europe 

  • POL 307: The European Union: Integration, Enlargement, Unity 

  • POL/ENS 309: Global Environmental Politics 

  • PHI/POL 312: Ethics in Society 

  • COM/IRL 316: Media and Conflict 

  • POL 318: Israeli-Palestinian Conflict 

  • HIS/POL 321: French Colonialism in the Middle East and North Africa 

  • FRE/POL 376: Contemporary French Identities 

January Term Seminar (3 credits) 

Total Major Credits: 48 

Learning Outcomes

Bachelor's students in the political science program will learn to:

  • Recognize and compare the principal systems, structures, institutions, and dynamics that shape the exercise of power in modern state systems; 

  • Differentiate between the various theoretical and ideological schools of thought that motivate political actors;  

  • Appraise the contrasting narratives surrounding the distribution of power and resources in the global order, with a focus on North America, Europe, and the MENA region; 

  • Develop critical thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating key political debates with an appreciation of their historical, cultural, socio-economic, and geographic dimensions;  

  • Demonstrate the robust research, writing, and oral presentation skills required to explore and communicate complex political science concepts and controversies; 

  • Develop informed, ethical, and pragmatic policy responses to the political challenges of the 21st century.  

Academics

Admissions