Political Science

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Blodgett Hall, Room 202
Regina Axelrod, Chair
p - (516) 877-4591
f - (516) 877-4594
e - rsa@adelphi.edu
w - political-science.adelphi.edu

Faculty

Political science is the study of the forms and processes of government that every society and social organization require. The discipline also examines the role of political systems in determining the rules by which members of a community live, the community’s principles and goals, and the nature and sources of political obligation.

The curriculum of the department is organized into five fields: American government and politics, political theory, comparative government, international relations, and political issues and public policy. Understanding of political processes equips members of a democratic society with the knowledge needed to act responsibly. The study of political science also offers an excellent intellectual foundation for many careers, including law, education, government service, business, communications, campaign management, and management consulting.

The department’s programs use the world as a laboratory for linking theoretical concerns with practical realities. The faculty encourage students to read with understanding, express ideas with clarity and force, and analyze political problems and issues systematically. There are numerous guest lectures, conferences and colloquia sponsored by the Political Science Department. The Ambassadorial Lecture Series invites ambassadors from the United Nations to discuss important issues and meet with students. Internships are strongly encouraged.

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Studies: Political Science

See details in this Bulletin under International Studies .

Internships

Washington Center

The Political Science Department offers a semester in Washington, D.C., under the guidance of the Washington Center (WC). The prerequisites are POL 429 , Seminar in Policy Analysis, in addition to three courses in American government and/or in Political Issues and Public Policy. Students with other majors can take this program as a minor in Public Service.  Students are provided with housing and are placed in full-time internships (4.5 days per week) in congressional offices, interest groups, or executive agencies in the D.C. area. A seminar related to the student’s work and offered by qualified academics under the aegis of the WC is taken for credit by the student as a part of the credits earned for the semester. An analytical paper of 25-35 pages comparing the practical experience of the intern with some of the academic literature on the policy issue area examined by the intern is required. This paper is worth a final 3 credits for a total of 15 credits for the fall and spring semester internships or 12 for the summer program. All credits are in political science. The internship POL 337 , Washington Semester Internship is graded on a Pass/Fail basis. POL 338 , Washington Semester Seminar and POL 339 , Washington Semester Directed Research are graded on a regular “A” to “F” scale.

Students pay regular tuition for the 12 or 15 credits they receive for the internship. Students are responsible for housing costs in apartments provided by the Washington Center (WC). The WC also provides the placement, guidance, and supervision of the interns while in Washington, with a member of the Political Science Department serving as a liaison person. The only expenses the student must meet beyond this are for food and transportation. Scholarships are available.

Albany

Students have an opportunity to serve in the state legislature for the spring semester. Students will take courses and seminars in Albany. Internships of 6 or 9 credits must be taken with both 358 and 359, for a total of 12 or 15 credits. This opportunity is open to majors in all departments and schools, although preference is given to juniors and first semester seniors. Applications should normally be made one calendar year in advance of the internship semester.

Prerequisites: POL 101  and completion of 6 credits of political science under one of the following options (to be chosen by the department in consultation with the intern).

Option A:

1. An additional course from among the appropriate offerings of the department
2. POL 429  Public Policy Seminar.

Option B:

1. Two additional courses from among appropriate offerings in the department.

Required:
POL (0158) 357 - Public Affairs Internshp   (3-9 credits)
POL (0158) 358 - Public Affairs Tutorial 
POL (0158) 359 - Direct Res Public Affair 

Honors in Political Science

The standards for Departmental Honors are a 3.5 GPA in political science courses and completion of a political science seminar with a grade of “B” or better.

Pi Sigma Alpha

Pi Sigma Alpha is the national Political Science honor society, with almost 700 chapters at most leading colleges and universities in the United States. The qualifications for membership in Adelphi’s Nu Theta chapter include: 1) at least four completed Political Science courses (including one at the 300 level), 2) an overall Political Science GPA of 3.5 or higher, 3) a “B-” or better in every Political Science course taken, and 4) an overall university GPA of at least 3.0. It is not necessary to be a Political Science major to join.

Programs

• Political Science, B.A.

• Political Science Minor
• Political Science: Public Service Minor

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