Political Science
Program Goals & Outcomes
The goal of the Political Science Associate of Arts degree is to provide students with a transfer program which focuses on the political system at the local, state, national, and international levels with coursework in comparative political systems, international relations, contemporary issues, and state and local governments.
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Explain the basic structure or processes of American government;
- Acquire reputable political information;
- Analyze political problems using various theoretical paradigms; and
- Describe differing ideological perspectives as they relate to modern political arguments.
Political science is an area of critical thought and intellectual pursuit that is alive with emerging fields, evolving applications to worldly issues, and rigorous debates of timeless questions. For general purposes, the discipline is broken down into subfields. These subfields are: American political behavior; American political institutions; American public policy; American state and local government; comparative politics; international relations; and political theory.
Political scientists study public opinion, interest groups, political parties, Congress, the presidency, bureaucracy, the judiciary, state institutions, local political processes, international relations, various political systems worldwide, historical ideas and ideals of politics, and political values. At Rose State, we offer a wide variety of courses addressing these topics across the various subfields.
Department Overview
The Associate of Arts in Political Science at Rose State College is designed to provide you with a good preparation for entry into a four-year college or university. The Political Science program at Rose State provides you with knowledge of: the role of American government institutions, the mediums for citizen access and participation in the American political process: International Relations; domestic public policy issues; and the theories behind the political ideals of America. The program also fulfills a major support role for the college’s general education function, providing you with the basic knowledge to engage in the political process and become responsible citizens of your community.
GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS (38 hours min.)
English Composition (6 hours)
- ENGL 1113 English Composition I+
- ENGL 1213 English Composition II+
U.S. History/U.S. Government (6 hours)
Students must earn a “C” or better in POLS 1113 to be eligible for graduation.
- HIST 1483 U.S. History to 1877
or HIST 1493 U.S. History Since 1877 - POLS 1113 American Federal Government
Sciences (7 hours)–one must include lab
See Science Electives below.
Humanities (6 hours)
- POLS 2803 Introduction to Political Theory
See courses listed in the College Catalog.
Mathematics (3 hours)
See Mathematics Electives below.
Liberal Arts (3 hours)
See courses listed in the College Catalog.
General Education Electives (6 hours minimum)
- POLS 2203 Introduction to Public Policy
- ECON 2403 Principles of Macroeconomics
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (9 hours)
Students must earn a “C” or better in these courses to be eligible for graduation.
- POLS 2403 Introduction to Comparative Political Systems
- POLS 2503 Introduction to International Relations
- POLS 2703 Introduction to State & Local Government
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS (15 hours)
Students must earn a “C” or better in these courses to be eligible for graduation.
See Limited Additional Requirements below.
+Check course description for prerequisites that must be met.
Science Electives
HSBC 1104, HSBC 1224, HSBC 2103, HSBC 2114, GEOG 1114, or any course with the following prefixes: ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ENSC, GEOL, METR, PHSC, or PHYS
Mathematics Electives
Any MATH course which is at least 1000 level or higher except MATH 2013, MATH 2023, & MATH 2033
Limited Additional Requirements
- POLS 2093 Special Topics in Political Science
- POLS 2103 Introduction to Political Science
- POLS 2191-3 Political Science Internship+
- POLS 2213 Introduction to Campaigns and Elections
- POLS 2303 Introduction to Mass Media & Politics
- POLS 2383 Power, Mobilization, and Revolution
- POLS 2603 Introduction to Public Administration
- SOC 2223 Social Problems+
Suggested Order of Enrollment
Students should enroll in a combination of General Education Requirements and Program Requirements to complete the degree. Check the College Catalog and/or class schedule for course offering specifics. The “+” symbol represents a prerequisite for the course. Any course offering is subject to change without notice.
1st Fall Semester
| 1st Spring Semester
|
2nd Fall Semester
| 2nd Spring Semester
|
NOTE:
POLS 2203, Introduction to Public Policy; POLS 2603, Introduction to Public Administration: and POLS 2191, Political Science Internship; are available each semester via direct study.
The faculty at Rose State College is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and student-oriented. The faculty has over twenty-five years of teaching experience, with over twelve years acquired at Rose State. Our faculty hold Ph.D. and Master of Public Administration degrees. Each faculty member is distinguished in their field through their accomplishments, some of which include publications, conference presentations, community service, and institutional service. In addition to our accomplished staff, we offer a student-oriented academic environment with small class sizes, usually limited to about 35 students.
What courses do you offer?
In addition to the required courses, the department offers POLS 2093: Special Topics in Political Science; POLS 2191-3: Internship in Political Science; POLS 2213: Introduction to Campaigns and Elections; POLS 2303: Introduction to Mass Media and Politics; and POLS 2703: Introduction to State and Local Government.
Which political science courses transfer to a university?
Rose State’s political science department synchronizes course numbering, titles, and descriptions with four-year institutions. Thus, every political science course either transfers as a department requirement/elective or a general university requirement/elective.
Do you offer online courses?
The political science department does offer online courses. The courses vary depending on the semester. Typically, in an academic year, we offer POLS 1113, POLS 2103, POLS 2203, POLS 2213, POLS 2303, POLS 2603, and POLS 2703.
Are there organizations that provide further information about political science?
Yes, a good place to begin your inquiry into political science and the employment opportunities for political science graduates is the American Political Science Association and Public Service Careers.
What happens after graduation?
An Associate of Arts degree in political science provides a firm foundation for transfer to a four-year institution. People with political science degrees find employment in a variety of occupations. Students with political science degrees are employed as paralegals, policy analysts, research assistants, market analysts, educators, journalists, congressional staffers, customs officers, government analysts, immigration officers, foreign service officers, elected officials, and as administrators in local, state, and federal governments. Some occupations utilize the political and sociological study found in political science, while others utilize the communication and analytical skills developed in a political science education.
The Political Science program is a general study program that traditionally takes about four semesters of full-time coursework to complete. The goal of the Associate of Arts in Political Science degree program is to provide you with a transfer program that focuses on the political system at the local, state, national, and international levels, with coursework in comparative political systems, international relations, contemporary issues, and state and local governments.
Specific objectives include providing you with:
- The ability to understand and analyze different political systems and issues;
- The ability to understand and analyze different governance systems as they relate to political theory;
- Foundational support courses that provide a historical perspective to your studies; and
- A general education foundation from which to learn to communicate, to think critically, and to analyze problems.
The required courses for the General Option are POLS 1113: American Federal Government, POLS 2103: Introduction to Political Science, POLS 2203: Introduction to Public Policy, POLS 2603: Introduction to Public Administration, and POLS 2803: Introduction to Political Theory.
What is required of you?
In order to be a successful student within the political science curriculum, you need to display reading comprehension skills, time management skills, a strong work ethic and ask for help when you are lost or stuck on a particular topic. The faculty and curriculum will develop your critical thinking skills, ability to discuss/debate a topic using etiquette, appropriate evidence and tolerance for the views of others. You are required to retain the information taught within the curriculum and develop thoughts and views based on scholarly work, life experiences and intellectual contemplation. In short, the faculty provides you with the various arguments surrounding a topic and you must be able to take this information and formulate an argument or opinion for yourself.