The program in Political Science offers an approach to liberal arts education which promotes excellence in both the humanistic and scientific methodologies of our field. Students will engage with the great political scholars and questions of the ancient, modern, American, and contemporary world in pursuit of the knowledge required for prudent, moderate, and just citizenship. Students will acquire advanced knowledge of the major subfields of American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory, concomitantly developing their professional and research capacities. All courses in political science will prepare students for a lifetime of accomplishment in a wide range of vocations by emphasizing the ability to think well and clearly articulate complex ideas. Writing, which is a sophisticated form of thinking, is emphasized in each course, with the goal of incrementally improving student ability and monitoring student progress. Graduates will be exceptionally well prepared for post-graduate study in Political Science, Public Administration/Policy, Law School, or a wide range of careers in public affairs.
A Bachelor of Arts in Political Science is available for students seeking to double major or who wish to explore cross-curricular programs of study in other, related fields. A minor is available, and coursework will stress civics education and crucial knowledge of public affairs which will serve all non-majors seeking structure in their free electives.
Stanley Reed Pre-Law and Politics Society
Named after one of Kentucky Wesleyan’s most prestigious alumni, United States Supreme Court Justice Stanley Reed, this club offers all students interested in law and politics opportunities to listen to speakers, discuss relevant topics and debate important controversial issues. Speakers include Kentucky Wesleyan alumni either attending or graduated from law school discussing aspects of law school admissions, legal education and the practice of law. Debates include student contests over campus-related issues each semester. Other debates concerning controversial legal and political issues also are arranged among various community leaders and professionals. Each year there is a trip to the Midwest Political Science Associations’ national meeting in Chicago that is offered to members.
Internship Opportunities
The Political Science program offers several off-campus internship opportunities. When the Kentucky Legislature is in session, junior or senior students can qualify for a legislative internship at Frankfort and receive 12 hours of political science credit. At the local level, Kentucky Wesleyan College places students in internships in the Commonwealth Attorney’s office, local attorney’s offices, public defenders’ offices, and at the Green River Area Development Office.
Bachelor of Arts Degree
39 Semester Credit Hours
Core Requirements
- IDS 202 – Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences (3)
- IDS 203 – Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences (3)
- POLS 101 – American National Government (3)
- POLS 202 – State and Local Government (3)
- POLS 380 or POLS 381 – Survey of Political Thought: Plato to Nietzsche OR Aristotle to Hegel (3)
- POLS 391 or POLS 332 – Comparative Politics OR International Relations (3)
- POLS 400 – Senior Seminar (3)
Electives
- Political Science – Twelve (12) semester credit hours
- History – Six (6) semester credit hours OR 6 hours in the same language or equivalent through CLEP testing
Bachelor of Science Degree
45-46 Semester Credit Hours
Core Requirements
- IDS 202 – Statistics in the Behavioral Sciences (3)
- IDS 203 – Research Methods in Behavioral Sciences (3)
- POLS 101 – American National Government (3)
- POLS 202 – State and Local Government (3)
- POLS 380 or POLS 381 – Survey of Political Thought: Plato to Nietzsche OR Aristotle to Hegel (3)
- POLS 391 or POLS 332 – Comparative Politics OR International Relations (3)
- POLS 400 – Senior Seminar (3)
Electives
- Political Science – Twelve (12) semester credit hours
- History – Six (6) semester credit hours
Supporting Requirements
- ECON 231 – Principles of Microeconomics (3)
- ECON 232 – Principles of Macroeconomics (3)
Political Science Minor
18 Semester Credit Hours
Requirements for a Political Science Minor:
- 18 semester credit hours of electives from POLS.