Mission Statement

Political Science is a critical engagement with the competing values and interests that guide and orient politics. It is concerned with three distinct tasks: (1) an analysis of concepts and principles dealing with the nature, purposes and characteristics of government, state and society, the possibility and desirability of political change, and the capabilities of political agents; (2) the empirical understanding and explanation of political processes and structures; and (3) the historical examination of changing meanings of political discourse.

Our specific goals are to develop: 1. An understanding of the major ideas and ideologies that have characterized political life throughout history and to develop the student's capacity for wrestling with these fundamental issues and principles, such as justice, equality, freedom, the proper use of power and authority, and the relationship between the individual and the community and between public and private realms of life. 2. A capacity for evaluating the interplay between the philosophical foundations, the institutional arrangements, and the decision-making processes of political systems and their societal consequences. 3. A familiarity with the major concepts and theories of Political Science. 4. A basic understanding of the major sub-fields of Political Science. 5. An understanding of the dynamics of different types of political systems, including the United States. 6. Research skills appropriate for meaningful investigation of political life. 7. An ability to think critically, logically and creatively. 8. Skills in written and oral expression. 9. Interest in public affairs, as a scholar, citizen, and as a career possibility. 10. Interest in graduate studies in Political Science. 11. And to support faculty engagement in professional activities.

Assessment: The achievement of these goals is assessed in periodic meetings of department members, drawing on their individual experiences in their courses and with their students and on the results of the comprehensive examinations.