Politics and Government Major

Professors Esler, J. Franklin, Kay, Louthan
Associate Professors A. Biser, J. Choi
Assistant Professor F. Nestor, B. Mack

To foster both breadth and depth of knowledge, the department has designed a special core curriculum for politics and government majors. Among the total of 10-13 departmental courses, students select at least one from each of four areas: American politics, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory. Working closely with a faculty advisor, the student selects in each area the courses best suited to his or her particular interests and career goals. The department offers a five-course minor as well.

In order to declare a politics and government major, a student must have either a) a 2.5 cumulative University grade point average, or b) a 2.0 cumulative University grade point average and have earned a B- or higher in one course in the department.

Major Requirements

The major must complete at least 10 courses in the department including the following:

Two of the following introductory courses: PG 111 , PG 112 , or PG 113 . Alternatively, students may satisfy the introductory requirement by earning a B- or higher in one of these courses taken at OWU. No more than two introductory courses may count toward the major.
PG 279 and PG 499
At least one course in each of the following subfields: (I) American politics (PG 260 , PG 261 , PG 350 , PG 351 , PG 352 , PG 353 , PG 354 , PG 355 , PG 356 , PG 357 , PG 358 , or PG 359 ); (II) International relations (PG 360 , PG 361 , PG 362 , PG 363 , PG 364 , or PG 365 ); (III) Comparative politics (PG 344 , PG 346 , PG 347 , PG 348 , or PG 349 ); and (IV) Political Theory (PG 300 34 , PG 371 , PG 372 , PG 373 , or PG 374 ).

Learning Objectives

Knowledge

Understand the major concepts and theories in political science and how to apply these to practical politics.
Understand political institutions and how individuals and groups make, participate in, and are affected by political decisions.
Understand diverse perspectives on politics and diverse political systems and cultures around the world.

Capabilities

4. Think critically: identify and question assumptions, understand diverse perspectives, and recognize connections between ideas

5. Conduct research: find and critically evaluate sources of information, use political science methods to evaluate political institutions, behavior and events

6. Argue effectively: defend well-reasoned positions with evidence

7. Communicate ideas effectively both verbally and in writing

Values

8. Develop and practice values of citizenship and public service