Political Science Learning Outcomes
-
Gain an understanding and appreciation of current political issues and concerns and their impact upon the contemporary political environment.
Understand the decisions human beings make in political settings, including those regarding the forms of government available and understand the philosophical underpinnings of political systems, major ideologies, and political parties.
Foster an understanding of political methodology and analysis and the ability to construct basic political theories used to explain political and governmental behavior.
-
Develop the ability to research, analyze, and evaluate political data and information and the ability to use information databases.
Develop the ability to communicate effectively and clearly in written and oral form.
Understand the requirements of effective and virtuous citizenship.
Program Requirements
The Political Science major consists of twelve (12) courses and one (1) required/related general education course.
All Political Science majors need to select a concentration from the three (3) listed as follows:
The International Politics Concentration provides students the opportunity to focus their studies on international affairs. Students acquire knowledge about the way that states and non-state actors interact with one another on the international stage, and the research skills necessary to engage in the study of international politics. Students examine the prominence of both security and non-security issues, including those generated and governed by states, along with those created by intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and private actors.
Choose five (5) elective courses, at least two (2) of which must be at the 300-level or above:
- ECON 200 The Economics of Globalization
- POSC 200 Model United Nations
- POSC 220 The Politics of Globalization
- POSC 248 The Global Rise of Populism
- POSC 269 Building Peace After Conflict
- POSC 308 International Law, Politics, and Society
- POSC 320 Comparative Political Systems
- POSC 342 Formation and Conduct of United States Foreign Policy
- POSC 360 Threats to International Security in the 21st Century
- POSC 365 Latin American Politics
- POSC 490 Independent Study in Political Science
- SOCI 254 Social Conflict in Northern Ireland
Concentration Requirements (5)
Intermediate Courses - Select Three (3):
- POSC 200 Model United Nations
- POSC 209 The American Supreme Court
- POSC 211 Political Theory: Justice, Law, and Order
- POSC 213 Political Parties and Interest Groups
- POSC 216 Film and Politics
- POSC 220 The Politics of Globalization
- POSC 223 Bureaucratic Politics and Power
- POSC 229 Public Policy Analysis
- POSC 248 The Global Rise of Populism
- POSC 250 American Legal Systems
- POSC 269 Building Peace after Conflict
- POSC 270 Race, Politics, and the Law
- POSC 272 Gender, Politics, and the Law
Students majoring in Political Science should complete POSC 110 Introduction to American Politics and POSC 120 Introduction to World Politics during their freshman year. All the above courses must be completed prior to the end of the sophomore year.
Advanced courses - Select Two (2):
- POSC 300 Moot Court Symposium
- POSC 313 American Political Thought
- POSC 315 Judicial Politics and Policy
- POSC 320 Comparative Political Systems
- POSC 325 Public Management
- POSC 327 Elections and Campaign Strategy
- POSC 342 Formation and Conduct of United States Foreign Policy
- POSC 350 South Park and Contemporary Political Issues
- POSC 360 Threats to International Security in the 21st Century
- POSC 365 Latin American Politics
- POSC 490 Independent Study in Political Science
- POSC 495 Internship in Political Science
Choose (5) elective courses, at least two (2) of which must be at the 300-level or above:
- CRIM 201 White Collar Crime
- CRIM 240 Drugs, Social Control, And The Law
- HSTA 313 Civil Rights Movement in the United States
- POSC 206 Constitutional Law: Powers of Government
- POSC 209 The American Supreme Court
- POSC 211 Political Theory: Justice, Law, & Order
- POSC 250 American Legal Systems
- POSC 270 Race, Politics, and the Law
- POSC 272 Gender, Politics, and the Law
- POSC 300 Moot Court Symposium
- POSC 315 Judicial Politics and Policy
- SOCI 280 Aging in Society
This 4+1 program provides students the opportunity to complete course work at the undergraduate and graduate level that will prepare them for a career in the public sector, including work in government and non-profit organizations, positions in the private sector who are involved with and affected by governmental activities, and careers in government at the management level. In this period of increased interdependency among the public, non-profit, and private sectors, the program is dedicated to the increased responsibilities and challenges confronting the public manager.
Applications are to be submitted at the start of the junior year through the Office of Graduate Admissions. Students must have Junior Status with an overall GPA of 3.00. Completion of an undergraduate statistics course is also required. Transfer students must be matriculated at the University before applying for this program.
4+1 Program Requirements (14 courses):
These courses are in addition to the major core requirements (8 courses).
- POSC 223 Bureaucratic Politics and Policy
- POSC 229 Public Policy Analysis
- POSC 325 Public Management
- POSC 335 Public Personnel Management
Required graduate courses (2 courses in the undergraduate senior year, which will appear as transfer coursework):
Choose one (1) graduate elective course from the following:
- POSC 110 Introduction to American Politics
- POSC 120 Introduction to World Politics
- Three (3) other Political Science courses (POSC) above the 100-level acceptable for the major, at least one of which must be at the 300-level or above.
Career Opportunities
Publishing
Prepares and manages the distribution of books, newspapers, periodicals, or websites.
Campaign Manager
Manage a political campaign and collaborate with the candidate on goals and strategies.
Urban Planner
Design the layout of developed and undeveloped areas of towns, cities and countries.
Attorney
FSU offers a Pre-Law concentration if you intend to go onto Law School and become an attorney.
Legislative Aide
Write, edit and research evidence for bills, proposals and other legislation.
Non-Profit Program Coordinator
Perform administrative and management tasks for nonprofit organizations and charities.
Political Analyst
Review public policy documents and study the impacts on government operations.
Meet Our Faculty
Thomas Severo, Esq.
Joseph Coelho, Ph.D.
Giuliano Espino, Ph.D.
David Smailes, Ph.D.
Rachel Spivey, Political Science 3+3 Pre-Law
“I cannot say enough about the excellence of the Political Science program. Not only do professors teach the material in a way that makes you stay engaged and involved, but they are willing to provide help and answer questions at any given point."
Brett McCulloch ‘22, Political Science
"For those looking to challenge themselves and push their intellectual limits, while simultaneously building a foundation for personal success in the future, I highly recommend majoring in political science at Framingham State University."
Ezio Andrade, Political Science Major
"The faculty was fundamental to my learning. Their vast knowledge and direct engagement taught me how to better understand and analyze the functioning and organization of power and the State."
Sofia Wilson, English and Political Science, minor in Digital Humanities
Framingham State University junior Sofia Wilson is heading north in the spring for a Mitacs Globalink Research Internship under the direction of Dr. Janelle Jenstad at the University of Victoria in British Columbia.