Political Science

Major Map: B.A. Political Science

The political science department seeks to provide the student with knowledge of political life, research abilities, and the ability to confront problems of political significance. The department seeks to develop graduates who are wellprepared to proceed to the next level of academic training or employment in areas where a knowledge of politics is considered both necessary and desirable.

The department has two components. Plan I, the general Political Science component, emphasizes law and graduate school preparation. Plan II, the Public Administration component, emphasizes preparation for work in both the public and private sectors of society.

Majors have a variety of potential career paths, including careers in government, foreign service, international civil service, research, and teaching. Political science majors also will be eligible for administrative careers in policy planning and implementation. In addition, study in the discipline will provide a basic course concentration for pre-law and for graduate and professional programs leading to the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees.

Department Seeks To:

  1. Provide students with a broad knowledge and understanding of the dynamics of political life as it is manifested in the various institutional and behavioral forms;
  2. Provide students with the capacity for empirical research and analysis in both the public and private sectors of society;
  3. Provide students with the ability to seek solutions to problems of global and domestic political significance;
  4. Acquaint the students with the need to create new knowledge through research and scholarly activity;
  5. Equip and prepare students for employment in the public and private sectors of society; and
  6. Equip and prepare students for graduate and professional schools.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the political science major, the student will:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the CORE principles and values of the major fields and/or sub-fields of Political Science.
  2. Describe citizenship as it relates to local, state, national and global communities.
  3. Analyze the role of government and the way that individuals, groups and institutions can promote or undermine its impact.
  4. Apply quantitative and qualitative research, critical thinking and written/oral communication skills relevant to the field of Political Science.
  5. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary political issues.

GET THE COURSES YOU NEED

 

In the first year, take PSCI 111 and PSCI 122

 

 

 

In second year, take 200 level courses, PSCI 221 and PSCI 231
Consult faculty advisors as well as course bulletin to ensure correct courses are being taken.

 

 

Take PSCI 305 and choice of 1 or 2 PSCI electives (200 and 300 level)
Joint Majors: take PSXCI 254 elective

 

 

Take PSCI 442, senior capstone course
Choice of 1 or 2 PSCI electives (300 and 400 level)
Optional for Joint Majors

 

GET RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

  • Complete on-line assessment to ascertain career interest. Discuss results with major advisor and Career Planning and Development Office.
  • Create a resume
  • Join department club, Political Science/ Pre Law Club and other campus clubs
  • Attend professional conferences (APSA, MISA, PI Sigma Lecture Series)
  • Visit City Council and/or Tennessee State Legislative Assembly
  • Update resume
  • Look into summer jobs/ internships (national , state and Local) with help from department and Career services.
  • Student may also consider Work Study.
  • Attend Professional Conferences.
  • Consider writing an article for publication in The Political Review or Pi Sigma Alpha Student Journal.
  • Update resume.
  • Consider Internship course in Political Science, PSCI Elective 310 (Tennessee Legislative Internship, various gov’t and law offices.
  • Become more involved in campus clubs and other extracurricular activities.
  • Consider writing article for The Political Review, a departmental online newsletter and/or Pi Sigma Alpha.
  • If interested, consider running for a position as a SGA officer.
  • Update resume.
  • Shadow professionals in area of interest.
  • Conduct informational interviews in employment sectors of interest.
  • Secure a part-time job in the field of interest

GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

  • Participate in campus service projects, e.g., Service Day during Student Orientation, Homecoming and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Join organizations with community outreach programs (Talented Tenth, Scholars Program for Males)
  • Seek out Volunteer opportunities on and off campus (with guidance from department and campus offices)
  • Participate in campus service projects, e.g., Service Day during Student Orientation, Homecoming and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Join organizations with community outreach programs (Talented Tenth, Scholars Program for Males)
  • Seek out Volunteer opportunities on and off campus (with guidance from department and campus offices)
  • Participate in campus service projects, e.g., Service Day during Student Orientation, Homecoming and the MLK Day of Service.

    Join organizations with community outreach programs (Talented Tenth, Scholars Program for Males)

    Seek out Volunteer opportunities on and off campus (with guidance from department and campus offices)

  • Participate in campus service projects, e.g., Service Day during Student Orientation, Homecoming and the MLK Day of Service.
  • Join organizations with community outreach programs (Talented Tenth, Scholars Program for Males)
  • Seek out Volunteer opportunities on and off campus (with guidance from department and campus offices)

GET THINKING GLOBALLY

  • Pay close attention to textbook s and lectures on global perspectives and cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Begin taking foreign Language Requirement.
  • Research other nation-states, peoples, and immigration policies/regulations.
  • Begin seeking out information concerning the Study Abroad program.
  • Be intentional in interacting with student of other cultures on campus.
  • Pay close attention to textbook s and lectures on global perspectives and cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Finish taking foreign Language Requirement.
  • Research other nation-states, peoples, and immigration policies/regulations.
  • Begin seeking out information concerning the Study Abroad program.
  • Be intentional in interacting with student of other cultures on campus.
  • Pay close attention to textbook s and lectures on global perspectives and cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Research other nation-states, peoples, and immigration policies/regulations.
  • Build intellectual competence by getting involved with other cultures.
  • Be intentional in interacting with student of other cultures on campus.
  • Practice and Improve language skills.
  • Consider taking higher level foreign language electives.
  • Consider a Study Abroad option.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.

GET READY FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION

  • Update resume.
  • Participate in Career Development Workshops.
  • Explore career options with advisors and/or Career Services.
  • Year 2
  • Update resume.
  • Explore different careers of interest by reading books.
  • Explore career options with Career Services.
  • Connect with Alumni on LinkedIn
  • Update resume.
  • Start focusing on areas of interests.
  • Research education requirements for careers of interest. If needed, prepare to take any required tests (e.g. LSAT or GRE) and get help thinking about grad school from department or Career Services.
  • Update resume.
  • Apply to jobs or future education.
  • Get assistance from department advisors/career services with job searching, resumes, interviews, grad school applications, or decisions.
  • Apply for scholarship/fellowships if eligible

WHERE COULD I GO AFTER GRADUATION?

• Law
• Government
• Foreign Affairs

• Diplomatic Service
• International Civil Service
• Campaign Management

• Education
• Research
• Journalism
• Media