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Immersive Learning

As a political science major, you’ll complete at least one experiential learning course. Study abroad in Berlin. Pursue an internship with a government agency. Participate in a diplomatic simulation.

Undergraduate Research

Explore a political science topic that inspires you! Collaborate with a faculty mentor to enhance your research, critical thinking, and writing skills through engaging faculty-student research and publication opportunities.

Exclusive Political Journalism Fellowship

The NBC/Â鶹Éç Meet the Press Fellowship offers one graduating senior unprecedented access to the nation's longest-running public affairs program.

Campus Involvement

Serve your peers on student government. Join an advocacy organization like the Ohio Innocence Project. Get involved with service projects in and around Cleveland.

• Immersive Learning

  As a political science major, you’ll complete at least one experiential learning course. Study abroad in Berlin. Pursue an internship with a government agency. Participate in a diplomatic simulation.

• Undergraduate Research

  Explore a political science topic that inspires you! Collaborate with a faculty mentor to enhance your research, critical thinking, and writing skills through engaging faculty-student research and publication opportunities.

• Exclusive Political Journalism Fellowship

  The NBC/Â鶹Éç Meet the Press Fellowship offers one graduating senior unprecedented access to the nation's longest-running public affairs program.

• Campus Involvement

  Serve your peers on student government. Join an advocacy organization like the Ohio Innocence Project. Get involved with service projects in and around Cleveland.

Curriculum: What You Will Learn

You’ll begin with core political science and research courses. You’ll also get to choose upper-level and electives that explore topics like social movements, the American presidency, U.S. foreign policy, and music and political power. See full degree requirements at the JCU Academic Catalog.

• American Politics and Government

  Political Data Analysis

  3 Credits

  PO3110

  Committees, leaders, party organizations, and floor proceedings in Congress; elections, legislative reform, lobbyists, and legislative behavior. Students participate in a lengthy simulation of the U.S. House of Representatives. Prerequisite: PO 1100 or PO 101.
  

  Po3140

  PO3140

  Introduction to the public policy process; institutions that structure and implement policy response, models of decision-making, analytical and evaluative methodologies, epistemological approaches, normative concerns. Policy areas are investigated to illustrate both the actual and symbolic impact of the policy process within diverse political settings.
  

  Case Study Methods

  3 Credits

  PO3180

  Interest groups and political parties as mediating institutions between the people and government; how interest groups and parties affect the American political process. Analysis of interest-group and party behavior in electoral politics and in the policy process; theory and structure of groups. Prerequisite: PO 1100 or PO 101.
  

  Public Opinion And Voting Behavior

  3 Credits

  PO3190

  Analysis of candidate recruitment, nomination processes, campaign strategies, campaign finance, voting behavior, and reform proposals in congressional and presidential elections.Offered: Every two years on the election cycle.
  

  Po3130

  PO3130

  Sources, conduct, and effects of U.S. foreign policy from the standpoint of various analytical frameworks. Prerequisite: PO 1200 or PO 102 or or PO 1300 or PO 103.
  

  Introduction To Political Research

  3 Credits

  PO2100

  This course discusses career options for students with a degree in political science or similar fields. Examples include campaigns, consulting, research, lobbying, administration, and more. It teaches important skills needed for entry-level positions in these jobs, such as writing press releases, fundraising emails, radio ads, and op-eds.
  

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• Core Required Courses

  United States Politics

  PO1100

  The U.S. political system in theory and practice; political processes, institutions, individual and group behavior; the relationship of the political system to the organizational and economic environments.
  

  Po1200

  PO1200

  Introduction to the study of political behavior and institutions through a comparative perspective.
  

  International Relations

  PO1300

  Origin, nature, and development of the modern state system. International conflict and its management by political and legal means. Concepts include sovereignty, nationalism, national power and security, balance of power. Contemporary international issues.
  

  Po1400

  PO1400

  Examination of the assumptions, methods, and substantive positions of selected political theorists as a basis of analyzing political life. Themes include sovereignty, power, equality, slavery, peace, representation, identity, force, and violence.
  

  Po3510

  PO3510

  Qualitative research utilizes non-numerical methods such as observations, in depth interviews, focus groups, or content analysis. Deals with words, meaning, and interpretation. Required of all political science majors. Must be taken prior to Quantitative Research Methods. Should be taken no later than junior year.
  

  Po3511

  PO3511

  The principles and tools of political (and social) science research, including variables, hypotheses, measurement, research designs, sampling, data collection, and data analysis. Emphasis on practical application by learning the use of professional analysis software. This course must be taken after Qualitative Research Methods, PO 3510. Should be taken by the end of the junior year. This course is a new version of PO3520, but it no longer carries the AW/OP designation of the Core, which has been transferred to the new Capstone course, PO 4710. Corequisite: PO 3521.
  

  Po3521

  PO3521

  Lab for PO 3511, Quantitative Research Methods. Corequisite: PO 3511.
  

  Po4710

  PO4710

  The culminating experience of the political science major requiring students to demonstrate academic skills through common readings, class discussions, written assignments and oral presentations. Fulfils the AW and OP requirements of the Core. Topics vary annually. Must have taken at least 5 prior courses in the major.
  

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• Experiential Learning

  Special Topics In American Politics

  3 Credits

  PO3903

  Internship in government and political organizations. Internship prerequisites to be arranged with intern advisor. (Only 3 credits may count toward political science major or minor.)
  

• International Relations and Comparative Politics

  The American Presidency

  3 Credits

  PO2110

  An exploration of Cleveland neighborhoods that are, or were once, known for particular majority ethnic, linguistic, cultural or religious communities, loosely defined. We will connect this ground-based learning to our theories of politics, through learning individual and family stories and then aggregating that up to national and global politics through the lens of diaspora. As an example, we will explore the history and politics of redlining and begin to get some answers as to why things are the way they are in our city. Taken together, exploring the history and patterns of population movement then and now make Cleveland an ideal case study and a perfect opportunity to learn so much in our own backyard. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Po2210

  PO2210

  Integrates immersion experience with the realities of health care access in Latin America. Topics include the cycle of poverty in Latin American countries, the link between health care access and poverty, and the specific case of the rural Honduran health care system. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 (or equivalent). Corequisite: HS2471.
  

  Political Parties And Elections

  3 Credits

  PO2220

  Simulation course that models the lawmaking process within the European Union. Includes a three-day conference in November in Washington, D.C. Each student takes on the role of a political decision-maker from an EU member-state. Prerequisite: EN 1250 or EN 125 or equivalent. Additional fees apply to this course. Please see the section schedule for amount details.
  

  Contemporary Political Theory

  3 Credits

  PO2240

  Investigates the complexity of African historical development and relationships to states and authority. Includes the influence of religions, cultures, and geography on political ideas and the ramifications of colonialism and the nation-state form. A significant focus in the course is on articulating the relationship between ideas and cultures of authority and resistance. This course is linked with PL 2097. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent. Corequisite: PL 2097.
  

  Political Ideologies

  3 Credits

  PO2260

  This course examines the political dimensions of climate change, exploring the complex intersection of science, policy, economics, and social factors. Students will critically analyze the global and national political landscapes surrounding climate change and its implications for societies, economies, and the environment. The course aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of the challenges, conflicts, and potential solutions related to climate change and to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for informed engagement in this critical issue.
  

  Media And Politics

  3 Credits

  PO3210

  A more advanced course on the European Union than PO 220, going well beyond its history, institutions, and processes. Analyzes in detail some key issues and controversies within the EU concerning its structure of governance, its purpose, and its future. Includes participation in the EU Simulation in Washington, D.C., in November. Prerequisite: PO 1200 or PO 102.
  

  Po3250

  PO3250

  Intensive introduction to the city of Berlin, Germany, focusing on Berlin as capital of empire, republic, and the Nazi regime; as divided city during the Cold War; and as center of the reunified Federal Republic. Includes a ten-day study tour of Berlin during spring break preceded by a series of seminar meetings in preparation for the trip. Offered spring semester of odd-numbered years. Requires additional fee for travel. Cross Listed with HS 3232. Prerequisite: EN 1250 or EN 125 or equivalent.
  

  Justice And Political Theory

  3 Credits

  PO3270

  Introduction to the basic concepts, issues, and dilemmas of public health and healthcare systems. Provides students with the vocabulary and tools of comparative public health/healthcare policy analysis by examining in detail the promises and problems of various healthcare systems worldwide. Focuses on the developed world. Offered: Every other Spring.
  

  International Organizations

  3 Credits

  PO3320

  Historical perspective on topics of colonialism, independence movements, neopatrimonialism, nationalism, democratization, conflict, genocide, women's movements, and civil society, with an emphasis on exploring variation across space and time. Prerequisites: EN 1250 or EN 125 or equivalent.
  

  International Law

  3 Credits

  PO3330

  Focuses on the sources of and responses to insecurity for states and individuals, including genocide, insurgency, civil wars, interstate conflicts, terrorism, and other global threats in the kinetic, cyber, neurocognitive, and narrative space. Prerequisite: PO 1300 or PO 103.
  

  Po3340

  PO3340

  Focus on international organizations such as the International Criminal Court that help the international community cope with egregious abusers of human rights. Analysis of their structure, theory, procedure, operation, and problems, as well as their role in maintaining peace and security among member states. Prerequisite: PO 1300 or PO 103.
  

  International Political Economy

  3 Credits

  PO3350

  Examines the period from the First World War to the present. Close study of the evolution of international understanding of genocide, crimes against humanity, and human rights violations through selected case studies. Focus on social, political, economic, and cultural factors in the perpetration of atrocities. Development of human-rights protections and adjudication; also, the potential for reconciliation. Cross listed with HS 464.
  

  Special Topics In International Relations

  3 Credits

  PO3960

  Topic listed in semester schedule. Students may register for more than one PO3960 course on advice of academic advisor.
  

  Special Topics In Comparative Politics

  3 Credits

  PO3970

  Topic listed in semester schedule. Students may register for more than one PO3970 course on advice of academic advisor.
  

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• Political Theory and Philosophy

  Classical Political Thought

  3 Credits

  PO2410

  Explores ways that relationships among history, culture, and politics are expressed within nations and across national borders. Incorporates comparative perspectives. Prerequisite: EN 125 or EN 1250 or equivalent.
  

  Po2430

  PO2430

  Examines debt from an interdisciplinary perspective, including how different religions and cultures understand debt, interest, profit, and obligation; the political economy of debt between nation-states and global institutions; and debt justice movements. Prerequisite: EN 1250 or EN 125 or equivalent.
  

  Comparative Political Systems

  3 Credits

  PO3470

  The two dominant ways of interpreting political identity today, with both a theoretical and empirical component. Relationship between ascriptive identity and democracy, meaning of patriotism, impact of colonialism and race-thinking, and examination of the possibilities for shared political life beyond the nation-state.
  

• Professional Development

  Campaign Issues And Images

  3 Credits

  COM3113

  Offered in the fall of election years. Follows the communicative practices of the ongoing campaign. Students each focus on one campaign to develop a critical understanding of the tactics used, images portrayed, and issues raised. Develops an understanding of political campaigns through the lens of political communication theory.
  

• Research and Methods

  Qa: Political Statistics And Analysis

  3 Credits

  PO1500

  Introduces students to foundational quantitative analysis in a political context, specifically describing and representing data, posing precise and testable questions, drawing inferences from data, analyzing data, and understanding appropriate statistical software.
  

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Related Programs

Still deciding on your program of study at JCU or considering a second major? Here are some other academic areas to explore.

• Ancient Greek and Roman Studies
• History
• International Business
• Peace, Justice, and Human Rights
• Public Health
• Sociology and Criminology

Complementary Minors

• Communication
• Data Science
• Economics
• Law & Society
• Leadership Development
• Philosophy

Where Our Alumni Go

Our alumni find rewarding careers in a diverse range of fields, including local government, foreign diplomacy, non-profit organizations, international development, and political consulting. Many pursue advanced degrees in graduate and professional schools, ultimately entering careers in law, public policy, international relations, education, and academia. Their experiences reflect the versatility and impact of a political science degree.