Political Science

Allison Egnew Smith, Ph.D., Dean, School of Arts & Humanities

W.W. Slider Humanities Center, Room 305

(270) 384-8158                 smitha@lindsey.edu

Matthew Powers, Ph.D., Program Coordinator

Goodhue Academic Center, Room 303

(270) 384-8119         powersm@lindsey.edu

Full-time program faculty: Trudy Dawkins Morlino, Ph.D.;Matthew Powers, Ph.D.

Mission Statement

The mission of the political science program is to develop students’ understanding of politics by providing them with the conceptual tools needed to evaluate the political world.  In the process, the political  science program exposes students to all of the discipline’s different subfields by educating them on each subfield’s core principles and demonstrating the ways they relate to one another.  The political science program also strives to contribute to the deeper understanding of politics and government through faculty research and publications, while also serving as a resource of expertise for national, state, and local government.

The education that students receive in political science is ultimately geared toward providing them with the skills required to pursue successful careers in government, academics, and the private sector.  A political science degree is particularly appropriate for students contemplating attending law school or graduate programs in the social sciences.  Students who have an interest in political science but who have career plans outside the discipline often minor in political science while majoring in another field.

Graduation Requirements

Some courses taken for the major will simultaneously fulfill general education requirements. Please see the Graduation Requirements (bachelor’s degrees) section of this catalog for information on the general education program.

Students should note that the major provides fewer than the required 39 hours of 3000-4000 level coursework, therefore students will need to complete additional 3000-4000 level coursework to meet this requirement.

Program Requirements: 42-61 hours

Along with the general education program, students must complete the major’s prerequisites, and its core, American politics, and international perspectives requirements while also selecting from a range of program electives.  

A.        Prerequisites: 0-19 hours

• College Algebra (MATH 1013) or College Algebra with Lab (MATH 1014) or a minimum ACT mathematics subscore of 26 or equivalent and Principles of Psychology (PSYC 1003) are prerequisites for PSYC 4703 – 0-7 hours
• Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRJS 1003) and U.S. Constitutional Law (CRJS 3213) are prerequisites for elective CRJS 3703 – 6 hours
• Introduction to Sustainability (SES 1123) is the prerequisite for elective SES 2223 – 3 hours
• Introduction to Women’s & Gender Studies (WS 1003) or Women in Global Perspective (WS 1013) is the prerequisite for elective WS 2213 – 3 hours

B.        Core Requirements: 18 hours

• U.S. Government (POSC 1003) is a prerequisite for all other POSC courses, excluding POSC 2213 – 3 hours
• International Relations (POSC 2213) – 3 hours
• Comparative Politics (POSC 2303) – 3 hours
• Capstone in Political Science (POSC 4903) – 3 hours
• Research Methods & Statistics I (PSYC 4703) – 3 hours
• Research Methods & Statistics II (PSYC 4903) – 3 hours

C.        American Politics Requirements (select three of the following): 9 hours 

• U.S. Constitutional Law (CRJS 3213) – 3 hours
• U.S. History: 1865 to Present (HIST 1043) – 3 hours
• U.S. Congress (POSC 2203) – 3 hours
• Public Policy (POSC 3213) – 3 hours
• The American Presidency (POSC 4203) – 3 hours
• Topics in Political Science & Politics (POSC 4TX3) – 3 hours

D.        International Perspectives Requirements (select three of the following):  9 hours

• U.S. Foreign Policy (POSC 2403) – 3 hours
• International Law (POSC 3313) – 3 hours
• Terrorism & Political Violence (POSC 3323) – 3 hours
• Ethnic Conflict & Civil War (POSC 3403) – 3 hours
• Politics of the Middle East (POSC 3503) – 3 hours
• Topics in International Issues in Political Science (POSC 3TX3) – 3 hours

E.        Program Electives (select from the following): Minimum of 6 hours

• World Civilization:  1500 to Present (HIST 2243) – 3 hours
• Political Theory Through the Ages (POSC 2113) – 3 hours
• Environmental Justice (SES 2223) – 3 hours
• Gender & Politics (WS 2213) – 3 hours
• Criminal Law (CRJS 3703) – 3 hours
• Professional Internship in Political Science (POSC PN00) – 3-12 hours

Exit Assessment

Students applying for graduation with a bachelor’s degree in political science are required to take Capstone in Political Science (POSC 4903). As part of the course, students will complete a seminar paper which will be assessed according to the program SLOs for critical thinking, information literacy, and integrative learning.