Political Science BA

Major: Political Science
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 180.0
Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years); One Co-op (Four years), No Co-op (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 45.1001
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 19-3094

About the Program

The Political Science program in the Department of Politics helps students cultivate perspective; develop critical thinking, communication, and data analysis skills; and understand the economic, social, and political systems within which we live and work. Our curriculum builds on the department's research focuses and strengths. These include public policy, environmental politics, international organizations, human rights, and law and society. This flexible program allows students to shape a curriculum that meets their needs whether they are preparing for public service, the business world, graduate school in political science, an MBA or other business program, or law school.

All students also have the opportunity to specialize their coursework by following one of the informal concentration “tracks” of study detailed below. These three tracks reflect our research and teaching strengths, and are designed to prepare students for a variety of career paths.

  • American Politics & Policy (APP)
  • International Politics (IP)
  • Law & Politics (LP)

Degree Offered

The department offers a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Political Science, which includes study of a foreign language and allows for options in the fulfillment of humanities, social science, math, and science requirements.

For more information about Drexel's political science department, contact Academic Advisor, Jenna Gregory 215.895.2590 or email jeg362@drexel.edu

Degree Requirements

University Requirements
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
UNIV H101The Drexel Experience1.0
UNIV H201Looking Forward: Academics and Careers1.0
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum **
Developing Quantitative Reasoning **6.0-8.0
Two courses in MATH based on placement exams OR
Symbolic Logic I
Symbolic Logic II
Engaging the Natural World **6.0-8.0
Analyzing Cultures & Histories **6.0-8.0
Understanding Society and Human Behavior **6.0-8.0
Cultivating Global Competence **6.0-8.0
Perspectives in Diversity **3.0-4.0
Political Science Major Requirements
Required Introductory Courses
PSCI 110American Government4.0
PSCI 120History of Political Thought4.0
PSCI 140Comparative Politics I4.0
PSCI 150International Politics4.0
Required Research Methods Courses
PSCI 131 [WI] Research Design for Political Science4.0
PSCI 231Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Research in Political Science4.0
PSCI 232Quantitative Research Methods in Political Science4.0
Required Intermediate Courses
Any three 200-level PSCI courses EXCEPT for research methods courses (PSCI 231 and PSCI 232) ***12.0
Political Science Upper-level Elective Courses
Any five PSCI courses at 300-level or above ***20.0
Free Electives74.0
Total Credits180.0-191.0
*

Students not participating in co-op will take one additional credit of free elective instead of COOP 101.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

**

See Core Curriculum List for complete list of course options.

***

See Political Science course list.


Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.


Sample Plan of Study

4 year, no co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0VACATION
PSCI 1104.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0PSCI 120, 140, or 1504.0 
PSCI 120, 140, or 1504.0PSCI 120, 140, or 1504.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0 
UNIV H1011.0PSCI 1314.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0 
Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0  
 15-16 15-16 13-15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PSCI 2324.0PSCI 2314.0PSCI Intermediate course4.0VACATION
PSCI Intermediate course4.0PSCI Intermediate course4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0 
Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Upper-level PSCI elective4.0 
 14-16 14-16 14-16 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Upper-level PSCI electives8.0Upper-level PSCI electives8.0Free Electives16.0VACATION
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Free electives8.0  
Free elective4.0   
 15-16 16 16 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
UNIV H2011.0Free Electives16.0Free electives16.0 
Free electives15.0   
 16 16 16 
Total Credits 180-191

4 year, 1 co-op

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 101*1.0VACATION
PSCI 1104.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
PSCI 120, 140, or 1504.0PSCI 120, 140, or 1504.0PSCI 120, 140, or 1504.0 
UNIV H1011.0PSCI 1314.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0 
Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0 
 15-16 15-16 14-16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PSCI 2324.0PSCI 2314.0PSCI Intermediate course4.0Free Electives12.0
PSCI Intermediate course4.0PSCI Intermediate course4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0 
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0 
Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Upper-level PSCI elective4.0 
Free Electives2.0Free Elective2.0Free Elective2.0 
 16-18 16-18 16-18 12
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Upper-level PSCI electives8.0Upper-level PSCI electives8.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Engaging the Natural World3.0-4.0Free electives10.0  
Free elective5.0   
 16-17 18 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
UNIV H2011.0Free Electives13.0Free electives13.0 
Free electives15.0   
 16 13 13 
Total Credits 180-191
*

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

5 year, 3 co-op 

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0COOP 101*1.0VACATION
PSCI 1104.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
PSCI 120, 140, or 1504.0PSCI 120, 140, or 1504.0PSCI 120, 140, or 1504.0 
UNIV H1011.0PSCI 1314.0Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0 
Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Developing Quantitative Reasoning3.0-4.0Perspectives in Diversity3.0-4.0 
 15-16 15-16 14-16 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
PSCI 2324.0PSCI 2314.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
PSCI Intermediate course4.0PSCI Intermediate course4.0  
Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0Cultivating Global Competence3.0-4.0  
Analyzing Cultures & Histories3.0-4.0Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0  
 14-16 14-16 0 0
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Intermediate PSCI Course4.0Intermediate-level PSCI4.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Understanding Society & Human Behavior3.0-4.0Upper-level PSCI electives4.0  
Free elective6.0Free electives8.0  
 13-14 16 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
Upper-level PSCI8.0Free Electives16.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
Free electives7.0   
 15 16 0 0
Fifth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
UNIV H2011.0Free Electives16.0Free Electives16.0 
Free Electives15.0   
 16 16 16 
Total Credits 180-189
*

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.


Co-Op/Career Opportunities

Political science majors at Drexel embark on up to three, six-month periods of employment — exploring their career options, strengthening their résumés and building a professional network in the process. Students have the opportunity to earn a salary while honing and applying their skills in social science research, critical thinking, data analysis and communication. 

Political Science majors have a wide variety of co-op experiences from which to choose. Business and public utilities offer many lucrative possibilities, and local, state, and federal governments, museums and archives, and law firms present many additional interesting co-op placements. Pre-law students, for example, are especially eager to see the inside of a law office whether the co-op job they receive is clerical or a more challenging paralegal assignment. These practical experiences in the “real” world can reinforce the lessons of the classroom, sharpen skills, and establish important contacts. Sample co-op positions include:

  • Law clerk/paralegal, Joe Davidson, Attorney-at-Law, Philadelphia
  • Research analyst, Legislative Office for Research Liaison, Harrisburg, PA
  • Legislative intern, Corporate Public Affairs Division, Philadelphia Electric Company
  • Assistant lobbyist, Government Relations Office, Drexel University
  • Education intern, Philadelphia Museum of Art
  • Researcher, Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce
  • Assistant, Office of the Governor, Harrisburg, PA

Career Opportunities

The flexible programs allow students to shape a curriculum that meets their needs whether they are preparing for the business world, graduate school in history or political science, the department's master's program in Science, Technology, and Society, an MBA or other business program, or law school.

Visit the Drexel Steinbright Career Development Center page for more detailed information on co-op and post-graduate opportunities.

Program Level Outcomes

  • Demonstrate an expertise in using the research methods of political science
  • Apply critical thinking skills for the consumption and interpretation of academic and nonacademic knowledge
  • Demonstrate informational and technological literacy
  • Demonstrate mastery of the subject matter of core content areas of research in political science
  • Communicate empirical findings and critical analysis of research findings effectively in oral and written presentations
  • Demonstrate the ability to design and report original research in political science
  • Demonstrate the application of the ethical principles of research in political science

Politics Faculty

Rose Corrigan, PhD (Rutgers University) Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education. Associate Professor. Women, public law, American politics and policy.
Travis Curtice, PhD (Emory University). Assistant Professor. Authoritarian politics, state repression, political violence, policing, and conflict.
Richardson Dilworth, PhD (Johns Hopkins University) Head, Department of Politics. Professor. American political development, urban politics, public policy.
Meg K Guilford Assistant Professor. Political Violence, Conflict Processes, Military Intervention, U.S. Foreign Policy, Descriptive Research
Christian Hunold, PhD (University of Pittsburgh) Associate Dean for Faculty Advancement. Professor. Environmental political theory, human-animal studies.
Alison Kenner, PhD (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute). Associate Professor. Science, technology, and health; environmental health problems; cities and place; feminist theory; medical anthropology; digital humanities
Joel E. Oestreich, PhD (Brown University). Professor. International organizations, international finance, development, and human rights.
Gwen Ottinger, PhD (University of California, Berkeley). Professor. Social studies of science and technology, environmental justice, environmental political theory, citizen science, science and engineering ethics.
William L. Rosenberg, PhD (Temple University). Professor. Behavioral politics, public opinion, and political communication.
Jack Santucci, PhD (Georgetown University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Electoral Systems, Political Parties, American Political Development.
Chloe Silverman, PhD (University of Pennsylvania). Associate Professor. Parent advocacy for autism, neurodiversity, and pollinator health research.
Jose Tapia, PhD (New School for Social Research). Associate Professor. Social development, world economy, climate change, macroeconomic effects on health

Emeritus Faculty

Julie Mostov, PhD (New York University). Professor Emeritus. Modern political thought, democratic theory, nationalism, gender studies, South Eastern Europe and the Balkans.