Goals for Majors and Minors

In successfully completing a major in political science, a student will be able to:

• think critically, systematically, and creatively about political issues by employing a variety of theoretical and methodological tools;
• demonstrate a fundamental grasp of the central political problems in local, national, and global contexts;
• communicate in a clear, cogent, and literate fashion to a range of audiences, both in writing and verbally;
• apply their coursework to their own experience through January term courses abroad, internships, and/or a semester in Washington, D.C.; and
• engage productively and responsively in civic debate and discourse.

Requirements for Majors and Minors

The political science major is available as a bachelor of arts degree only.

For a major: 40 credits in the department, including 201, 210, 220, 230, 487, 490, and 498. The proseminar is chosen during the junior year from among elective courses designated by department faculty. Students taking a course as a proseminar register simultaneously for the course (4 credits) and 498 (1 credit). Students must sign up for the senior seminar (POLS 490) in the spring of their senior year.

For a minor: 20 credits in the department, including 201, 210 or 220.

For Oregon Initial Teaching Licensure in Social Studies, a student must complete the Linfield Teacher Education Program and the State of Oregon licensure requirements. In order to complete these requirements, a student must begin taking education courses no later then his/her sophomore year. The student must be advised by an Education Department faculty member each semester prior to registration.

To report errors or problems with these pages, please e-mail dnowacki@linfield.edu

For enrollment or other program questions, please e-mail admission@linfield.edu