Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

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The Political Science major is designed to give students a practical and theoretical understanding of the political world. It is a skills based major which focuses on critical thinking, writing, analysis and information literacy.

Studying at Caldwell University has many advantages. Our department offers small class sizes with experienced faculty who are committed to your success. We offer a student centered experience which is challenging yet approachable. Our unique Dominican heritage is clearly evident in our courses as we seek the “truth” through fact finding, dialogue and engagement.

Special opportunities for Political Science majors include a variety of internship and cooperative education programs available with local government administrators, the New Jersey Historical Society, and the Grover Cleveland Birthplace. A Washington Semester program is available through American University, and study abroad options are possible. Independent study projects in all areas of history and political science are open to majors. Students may aspire to membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society.

In our program, students acquire skills that are easily applicable to many fields in the modern workplace – in both the public and private sectors. Political Science graduates are well suited to pursue careers in teaching, policy analysis, public relations, law, fundraising, grant writing, diplomacy, political consulting, campaign managing, and much more!

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.A. in Political Science, students will be able to:

1. Utilize the skills and apply the concepts of historical thinking. These include understanding and explaining historical arguments, explaining causation and change over time, and using historical context to enhance their understanding of past events.

2. Read, interpret, analyze and contextualize primary sources of various kinds.

3. Conceive of a meaningful research question and locate and use appropriate sources to develop a response which moves beyond description to analyze issues in a critical and systematic way.

4. Write a well-organized research paper which clearly presents both argument and evidence and includes correct citations.

5. Describe and explain the basic theoretical approaches within the major subfields of Political Science.

6. Apply the basic theoretical approaches used in Political Science to think critically about both domestic and international events, past and present.