The Political Science program offers courses in American Politics, International Politics, and Law-related subjects. The study of Political Science develops students’ conceptual skills and provides them with the tools to analyze political concepts in broad perspective and make sense of new issues as they arise. In addition to knowledge of the subject, the program is designed to develop skills in critical thinking and written and oral expression, deepen commitment to social responsibility and political participation, and to position students to go on to graduate study and professional careers.

The program maintains affiliations with programs and centers across the University and within the community, which bring students into contact with scholars and practitioners from multiple academic fields. There are opportunities for students to learn outside of the classroom, for example through participation in internships and in the programs and research of Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics.

Admission Requirements

Integrated Degree Program

Learning Outcomes

This section explains the discipline-specific goals and objectives of the Political Science program.

Cognitive

1. Demonstrate a knowledge of the political and judicial actors, institutions and processes of the government of the United States
2. Demonstrate a knowledge of past and present political actors and institutions through which world governments and organizations affect, promote, and implement public policies
3. Demonstrate the ability to recognize the influence of global forces and identify their connections to local and national developments

Program Competency: Critical Reading

Demonstrate ability to extract and interpret information from both primary and secondary sources and identify and critique and major arguments and evidence

Program Competency: Analytical Thinking

Demonstrate ability to identify strengths and weaknesses of arguments in the context of previously learned material

Program Competency: Problem Solving

Demonstrate ability to formulate hypotheses and research questions based on data

General Education Competency: Information Literacy

Demonstrate ability to locate and evaluate the perspective, quality and accuracy of information resources

General Education Competency: Written/Oral Communication

1. Demonstrate ability to clearly communicate knowledge via oral and written means
2. Demonstrate ability to utilize the proper methodologies necessary for writing a political science research paper

Curriculum

+Major Requirements

12 courses, including:

POL101	American Government and Public Policy This course provides an introduction to the principles and practices of government, federalism, with special attention to the policy process, political participation and selected political issues in the United States.	3
POL100	Introduction to Comparative Politics Introduction to politics, policies, and political institutions outside of the United States. Includes concepts such as electoral systems, party systems, parliamentary and presidential systems, democratization, and political change in both Western and non-Western settings.	3
OR
POL104	Introduction to International Relations A survey of significant patterns and trends in 20th-century world politics, modes of conducting relations among nations, instruments for promoting national interests, and current problems of economic and political interdependence.	3
POL202W	Understanding Public Policy This course introduces students to the concepts and tools used in the analysis of public policies, and uses these concepts and tools to examine public policies in the United States and other industrial democracies. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: GOV101 American Government and Public Policy POL101 American Government and Public Policy	3
POL311W	Selected Topics in Social Science Research The course introduces methods and approaches used to describe, explain, and evaluate social science research. Students will get an introduction to an instructor chosen research topic. Students will learn to formulate questions, create a literature review, gather and evaluate evidence and provide feedback on outside research concerning the selected course topic.	3
POL490	Integrative Capstone The integrative capstone, undertaken by the student during the senior year, is an extended project that helps the student complete their transition from an undergraduate student to a world-ready professional. The study usually centers on the student’s major and may be conducted, at least in part, in the context of a group experience. Such programs are crafted to meet the unique needs of each major, and could include, for example, fieldwork, theater production, creative work in the arts, independent research, or independent readings. The integrative capstone in an interdisciplinary major must have the approval of both academic programs. Pre-requisites Complete any 1 of the following courses: POL311 Selected Topics in Social Science Research POL311W Selected Topics in Social Science Research	3
1 approved 3-credit internship (INTPOL 303)
5 additional 3-credit program electives, 3 at the 200-level and 2 at the 300-level or above

+Interdisciplinary Major Requirements

8 courses, exclusive of the Integrative Capstone:

POL100	Introduction to Comparative Politics Introduction to politics, policies, and political institutions outside of the United States. Includes concepts such as electoral systems, party systems, parliamentary and presidential systems, democratization, and political change in both Western and non-Western settings.	3
OR
POL104	Introduction to International Relations A survey of significant patterns and trends in 20th-century world politics, modes of conducting relations among nations, instruments for promoting national interests, and current problems of economic and political interdependence.	3
POL101	American Government and Public Policy This course provides an introduction to the principles and practices of government, federalism, with special attention to the policy process, political participation and selected political issues in the United States.	3
POL311W	Selected Topics in Social Science Research The course introduces methods and approaches used to describe, explain, and evaluate social science research. Students will get an introduction to an instructor chosen research topic. Students will learn to formulate questions, create a literature review, gather and evaluate evidence and provide feedback on outside research concerning the selected course topic.	3
OR
an approved methods course in another discipline
1 approved 3-credit internship (INTPOL 303)
4 additional 3 credit program electives, 3 at the 200-level and 1 at the 300-level or above.

+Pre-Law Minor Requirements

Chatham’s pre-law program is designed to encourage and support students with an interest in careers in law. It also helps students prepare to attend law school. The program includes the pre-law advisor, a pre-law minor, co-curricular programs offered in partnership with the PA Center for Women, Politics, and Public Policy, and the support of an advisory committee.
Chatham University works collaboratively with Duquesne University and Stetson University to assist those student interested in pursuing a law degree. To learn more about this program, visit our Collaborative Programs Page.

5 courses, including:
ENG241	Writing for Professionals Writing for Professionals helps students write clearly and effectively about a variety of subjects in genres related to the workplace. Through writing and reading assignments, students learn about targeting an audience, organizing writing, and developing a professional style. They create documents useful when seeking employment and in the workplace.	3
OR
ENG355	Advanced Writing and Stylistics This is an advanced writing class which concentrates on style, meaning, and effect. It is designed for upper-level students, and emphasizes the skills of writing more effective sentences, paragraphs and essays. The course focuses on writing academic papers, applications, proposals, and personal statements across the disciplines in appropriate formats.	3
POL303	Constitutional Law I: US Govt Powers/Relationships This course examines the political science of law and courts through a consideration of the scope of Article III jurisdiction, bargaining and decision-making on the U.S. Supreme Court, and political struggles over doctrine within the judicial hierarchy. Topics include the ways in which courts have affected Congressional power over taxation and commerce and presidential domestic and international powers. Pre-requisites Complete the following course: POL101 American Government and Public Policy	3
PHI121	Introduction to Logic An introduction to critical thinking, induction, deduction, and contemporary symbolic logic including argument symbolization, proof construction, and truth tables.	3
IND104	LSAT Preparation This course will help students prepare for the LSAT, by focusing on study skills particular to this examination.	1

+Political Science Minor Requirements

6 courses, including:

POL100	Introduction to Comparative Politics Introduction to politics, policies, and political institutions outside of the United States. Includes concepts such as electoral systems, party systems, parliamentary and presidential systems, democratization, and political change in both Western and non-Western settings.	3
OR
POL104	Introduction to International Relations A survey of significant patterns and trends in 20th-century world politics, modes of conducting relations among nations, instruments for promoting national interests, and current problems of economic and political interdependence.	3
POL101	American Government and Public Policy This course provides an introduction to the principles and practices of government, federalism, with special attention to the policy process, political participation and selected political issues in the United States.	3
4 additional program electives, at least 1 at the 300-level or above.