Department of Political Science and Public Administration

David Colnic, Ph.D., Chair

Professors: AbuKhalil, Myers, Routh
Associate Professors: Colnic
Assistant Professors: Wellman, Ghuman, Hudspeth

Office: Bizzini Hall 132
Phone: (209) 667-3388

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Minor in Political Science
Liberal Studies degree concentration in Civics
Social Sciences degree concentration in Political Science
Master of Public Administration

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration also sponsors an undergraduate minor in Political Science. The department provides support for numerous programs on campus, including Social Sciences, Liberal Studies, International Studies, Latin American Studies, and Gender Studies. (See the appropriate sections of this catalog.)

The Public Service Internship program enables undergraduate and graduate students to gain practical experience in a professional setting. Students are assigned to administrative, legislative, legal, political, and not-for-profit agencies. Interns normally work 16-20 hours a week and receive academic credit through a special seminar or individual study.

Careers in Law

Students interested in the legal profession are encouraged to contact the prelaw adviser in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. The department suggests that prelaw students pursue an undergraduate program which provides (1) a knowledge of the foundations of human institutions and values (2) a high degree of competency in analytical skills and (3) effectiveness in comprehension and use of the English language.

Most law schools admit applicants with the highest overall grade point average and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) scores. The importance of high grades in academic subject areas and a respectable score on the LSAT cannot be overstressed. Prelaw students should take the LSAT in the fall semester of the year preceding their anticipated admission to law school. Applications for the LSAT are available online at www.lsac.org.

Careers in Government, Public Agencies, and Private Organizations

The Political Science major focuses on the political/administrative process and the theoretical underpinnings of the discipline. Courses cover a wide range of subjects and should appeal to students interested in politics at all levels.

Careers in Foreign Affairs

The department offers courses for students interested in the foreign service, international organizations, international business, and not-for-profit agencies.

International Opportunities for Political Science Majors

CSU International Program (IP)

The CSU International Program is the system-wide overseas study program of the California State University. The goal of IP is to provide international academic opportunities in the framework of a CSU degree program. Students enroll concurrently in a host university and Stanislaus State. All campus financial aid applies. The following opportunities are available for Political Science majors:

English is the medium of instruction at:

University of Copenhagen, Denmark
Yonsei University, Korea
Uppsala University, Sweden
University of Bradford, University of Bristol, University of Hull, Kingston University, and University of Wales, United Kingdom

Students with fluency in French, German, or Spanish may study at:

University of Paris, France
University of Tubingen, Germany
University of Madrid, Spain

Eligibility:

Enrollment at a CSU campus or eligibility to enter from a California community college
Cumulative GPA of 3.0
Upper division or graduate standing prior to departure
Completion of lower division requirements for Political Science major

Liberal Studies Concentration in Civics

Please refer to the Liberal Studies section of the catalog for the Liberal Studies concentration in Civics (previously Political Science.)

Social Sciences Concentration in Political Science

Please refer to the Social Sciences program section of the catalog.

Program Learning Outcomes

The undergraduate program in Political Science has five key learning objectives applicable to both majors and students in its General Education and service courses:

Students have a sound and appropriately comprehensive knowledge of the history of political thought and its key concepts
Students have a sound and appropriately comprehensive knowledge of modern political institutions and dynamics
Students are able to successfully analyze complex texts and arguments
Students are able to successfully analyze complex issues and problems
Students are able to successfully formulate and evaluate policy options

Three additional learning objectives apply especially to students majoring in political science:

Students have an appropriate working knowledge of the scope and methods of political science
Students have a sound and appropriately comprehensive knowledge of global and comparative political institutions and dynamics
Students are able to successfully design and conduct research in political science

Three of the program’s learning objectives have particular application to students in General Education courses offered by the department:

Students have a sound and appropriately comprehensive knowledge of US and California political institutions and dynamics
Students have a sound and appropriately comprehensive knowledge of multicultural political dynamics
Students possess the deliberative and communicative skills required in the exercise of citizenship
Students have an appropriate working knowledge of civics pedagogy.