Political Science
Welcome to Political Science!
Political Science is a study of power. Who has it, when, and why. We seek to understand the consequences of power structures across cultures, institutions, and political actors. In this time of unparalleled change, understanding power - and politics-is key tp understanding and engaging in the world around us. Our goal is to challenge our students to become - and to continue becoming- leaders.
We are committed to providing students with a superior education through challenging and innovative course work, skills-building instruction, exposure to professional methods, and unique opportunities to gain experience beyond the classroom through inter-collegiate competitions, student debates, undergraduate research experiences, travel-study opportunities and internships.
Our more popular courses include Revolutions and Social Movements, Terrorism and Political Violence, the Presidency, US Party Politics, Women and HealthCare in California, and Health and Human Rights.
We invite you to explore our concentration in Public Policy, and our minor programs as well, which include Pre-Law, International Relations, and Women's Studies. Our Pre-law students often participate – and win! - in Mock Trial and Moot Court competitions.
We also host an exciting and unique honors program that focuses on fieldwork, international travel and developing undergraduate research skills- the Global Women in STEM and Policy (GWSTEM) Honors Program.
Our faculty are dedicated to helping you become a well-rounded scholar and leader. Whether you are thinking about law school, public policy, healthcare policy, politics, community organizing, teaching, international development or careers in human rights – we have expert faculty ready to help you build a career and reach for the stars
Our overarching aim is to create engaged and informed citizens who are capable of effectively participating in, and contributing to, the society in which they live, armed with the skills and confidence to take on leadership roles.
We have a dynamic department with students engaging the world. We hope you will explore what we have to offer.
Lia Roberts, PhD, Professor, Department Chair, History, Political Science
PhD, University of California, Santa Barbara, Department of Political Science
MA, University of Tennessee, Department of Political Science
BA, University of North Carolina, Charlotte, Department of Political Science
Degree Requirements
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BA Degree in Political Science & Public Policy Concentration+-
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Courses Required for a BA Degree in Political Science
Lower Division: 9 units
POL 1 American Government and Institutions (3)
POL 2 Introduction to World Politics (3)
POL 15 Introduction to Research Methods (3)
Upper Division:
POL 101 Research Methods (3)
At least two of the upper division courses must be in the American Politics subfield (6)
At least two of the upper division courses must be in International Relations or Comparative Politics subfield (6)
Five additional upper division courses in Political Science (15)
Total Units in Political Science: 39
Learn more about earning your Political Science degree on the MSMU Course Catalogue.
Public Policy Concentration
Students majoring in Political Science may choose to complete a concentration in Public Policy. Courses within the concentration focus on the process of governmental policy-making; policy-analysis; policy-implementation; and the implications of policy choices. Students will receive training that prepares them well for careers in the public sector or non-governmental organizations engaged in activities such as policy design, community service and advocacy.
View Concentration Requirements
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International Relations Minor+-
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As a subfield of Political Science, International Relations is concerned with political interactions between states, the formation and role of international institutions, and the impact of non-state actors in international politics. Also considered are the interactions of domestic and international actors, groups and institutions. The IR minor is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of relations between states and a broader understanding of governmental systems outside of the United States. Our International Relations students have travelled the world as part of their scholarship including trips to Namibia, South Africa, and El Salvador.
Courses regularly offered include: International Relations Theory; International Security; International Political Economy; North/South Relations; African Politics; Latin American Politics.
Upper division courses not listed below may be approved by the International Relations Advisor.
A. Pre-requisites
POL 2 Introduction to Comparative Government
Upper division course requirements:
Students must take POL 131 (3 units), plus 15 units from sections B and/or C. Students may apply 3 units from section D (History) towards the IR minor.
B. Theory courses
POL 130 International Political Economy, or
POL 142 International Conflict and Cooperation
POL 150 International Security
C. Policy Analysis/Regional Studies/Issue Areas (12 units)
POL 122 Middle East Politics
POL 123 African Politics
POL 124 Latin American Politics
POL 125 US Foreign Policy
POL 126 Politics of Former Soviet Union
POL 128 Politics of Globalization and Interdependence
POL 132 Political and Economic Development
POL 135 Selected Problems in International Relations
POL 137 Ethnic Conflict and Civil War
POL 138 International Law
POL 140 North/South Relations
POL 144 Politics of Europe and European Union
POL 145 Politics of South East Asia
POL 146 Military in Politics
POL 147 Women and Development
POL 148 Refugees and International Migration
POL 149 Comparative Foreign Policy
POL 151 Humanitarian Intervention
POL 154 US/Mexican Relations
D. World History
HIS 112 Economic History of Europe
HIS 113 History and Civilization of Spain
HIS 124 History of the Middle East
HIS 130 Colonial Latin America
HIS 147 Europe: The Age of Imperialism
HIS 150 Introduction to Asian History
HIS 151 History of Modern Japan
HIS 152 History of Modern China
HIS 154 History of Modern Mexico
HIS 162 History and Civilization of Latin America
HIS 178 Diplomatic History of the U.S.
Please contact the Director of the International Relations Minor, Dr. Lia Roberts, for more information.
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Political Science Minor+-
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The Minor in Political Science adds a valuable dimension to many majors including business, sociology, history, or nursing. For students interested in careers in the non-profit sector or government service, the political science minor offers opportunities to deepen an understanding of advocacy work and government institutions and processes.
To declare a minor in Political Science, a student must take at least 5 approved courses from Mount Saint Mary’s University.
Please contact the Chair of the History and Political Science Department, Dr.Helen Boutrous, for more information.
Students wishing to minor in Political Science are required to take the following:
POL 1 American Government and Institutions (3) or
POL 2 Comparative Government (3) or
POL 10 Political Concepts (3)
As well as, a minimum of five Political Science courses:
At least 4 of the remaining 5 courses (or 12 units) must be at the upper division level.
Total units in Political Science: 18
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Pre-Law Minor+-
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Prerequisites: 9 units
POL 1 American Government and Institutions (3)
PHI 10 Critical Thinking (3) or ENG 1C First-year English
BUS 5 / POL 5 Business Law (3)
Required Upper Division Courses
POL 103 Legal Reasoning (3)
POL 108 Constitutional Law (3)
Plus four upper division elective courses from among the following:
Business Law:
BUS 171/ POL 105 Business Law II (3)
BUS 106/ POL 106 Real Estate Law (3)
Civil Rights / Advocacy:
POL 102 Women and the Law (3)
POL 109 Individual Rights (3)
POL 133 Moot Court (3)
POL 138 International Law
POL 176 Public Policy
POL 188 Administrative Law (3)
Criminal Law:
POL 107 Criminal Law (3)
SOC 109 Forensics Studies: Criminalistics (3)
SOC 110 Deviant Behavior: Juvenile Delinquency (3)
SOC 111 Deviant Behavior: Criminology (3)
Any upper division course approved by the Director of the Pre-Law Minor
Please contact Dr. Helen Boutrous for further information about MSMU's Pre-Law Minor.
Pre-Law Minor
"The pre-law minor at Mount Saint Mary’s is unparalleled! My time in Mock Trial and Moot Court taught me practical skills—public speaking, critical thinking, and argumentation—that are invaluable for a career in the law, and the substantive coursework, including courses in Constitutional Law, Individual Rights, and Legal Reasoning, gave me the background knowledge to hit the ground running in my studies at Yale Law School. As I approach my law school graduation, I cannot thank the department, and especially Dr. Boutrous, enough for all they did to ensure I had the tools necessary to succeed in law school and in my future career as an attorney."
-Melanie Sava
Mount Saint Mary’s University ‘17
Yale Law School ‘20
For students who minor in Pre-Law, our goal is to prepare them for the demands of legal study and the legal profession. We teach students the analytical, writing, and advocacy skills that will be expected of them in law school. Students are required to take Legal Reasoning in which they learn to function under the Socratic Method, brief cases and take law school style exams. At the heart of the program are the award winning Mock Trial and Moot Court teams which compete in on-campus and intercollegiate tournaments.
Courses regularly offered include: Legal Reasoning; Constitutional Law; Individual Rights; Criminal Law; and Women & the Law. Students are encouraged to take pre-law courses from other programs including: Symbolic Logic and Business Law.
Contact
Please contact Dr. Helen Boutrous for further information about MSMU's Pre-Law Minor.
Global Women in STEM and Policy (GWSTEM)
The Global Women in STEM and Policy Undergraduate Research Training Honors Program (GWSTEM URTP) trains cohorts of undergraduate women to conduct basic and applied research in both the sciences and social sciences with a focus on global and interdisciplinary approaches. This program is a reflection of the Mount's mission and strategic plan to empower women, engage in a global environment, and to increase undergraduate research opportunities. Take courses in Policy and STEM. Engage in Summer Research Abroad!
Open to Majors in:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- History
- Healthcare Policy
- Global Politics
