Politics and Policy (B.A.)
Faculty
Dr. Allen Pietrobon, Assistant Professor of Global Affairs (program chair)
Dr. Mercedez Callenes, Assistant Professor of Global Affairs
Dr. Erin Carriere-Kretschmer, Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science
Dr. Kimberly Monroe, Assistant Professor of Global Affairs
Dr. James Stocker, Associate Professor of Global Affairs
Dr. Joshua Wright, Associate Professor of Global Affairs
Description
Although the world is rapidly changing, politics and public policy remain at the core of key issues that affect the lives of historically excluded and marginalized individuals around the world. Making an impact in the political realm requires a broad range of knowledge, as well as specialized skills. Trinity’s Politics and Policy major program aims to prepare students for future careers in politics and political analysis by providing the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed in today’s competitive job market. These jobs are in high demand, particularly for those who have skills in quantitative analysis. The Politics and Policy major is designed to prepare students for a career in and around government, including as elected officials, policy analysts, journalists, legislative assistants, researchers, and more. It also prepares students for law school or graduate school in political science, international affairs, and public policy.
The Politics and Policy program supports a major and minor in the College of Arts and Sciences. Courses in the program fall into several categories, including foundational courses in politics, policy, and global affairs; courses in methods and analysis; electives; experiential learning and fieldwork; and senior seminar. Politics and Policy also includes mentorship courses in which students are prepared to be excellent scholars and professionals by faculty mentors.
Major Requirements (47 credits)
Foundational Courses (15 credits)
- POLS 101 Politics, Power, and You: Democracy at the CrossroadsIntroduces students to the fundamentals of political history and theory. Explores current U.S. political and public policy issues to advance student?s ability to analyze and understand contemporary political events. Formerly PSC 120 Politics, Power, and You: Democracy at the Crossroads.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Applications Area
- POLS 105 Political Institutions & Economic SystemsExplores the interaction between politics and economics in the U.S., but also emphasizes the emerging economies in Latin America and the problems of development. Studies how markets are structured in response to political concerns, looking at both history and contemporary issues.
- POLS 220 State and Local PoliticsExplores the nature, structure, and role of state and local governments in the United States. Examines the specific areas in which state & local governments act, including education, criminal justice, health, and housing. Prepares students to engage with state & local issues affecting their communities. Special focus paid to the governments of D.C., Maryland, & Virginia.
- POLS 231 Introduction to Comparative PoliticsOffers an introduction to the major concepts and analytical frameworks of the sub-field. While it is designed as the appropriate first course in comparative politics, its theoretical focus makes it appropriate for more advanced students as well. Formerly PSC 200 Introduction to Comparative Politics.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V or POLS 241 Introduction to International RelationsOffers an introduction to the theories, actors, arenas, and techniques of international politics. The course examines case studies on issues of current international importance. Formerly PSC 312 Introduction to International Relations.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
- GLBL 201 Intro to Global AffairsIntroduces students to the interdisciplinary field of global affairs through a format that both imparts knowledge on compelling contemporary issues, and assists students to acquire and improve research, writing, and presentation skills that contribute to successful, upper-level coursework. Formerly INS 201 Introduction to International Affairs, INAF 201 Intro to International Affairs.
General Education Curriculum: Civic Knowledge
Methods Courses (6 credits)
- POLS 310 Measuring Policy Effectiveness IIntroduces program analysis and evaluation, key skills for understanding and measuring the impact of public policy. Teaches quantitative research skills and introduces data science knowledge necessary to conduct quantitative research and analysis.
- POLS 350 Research Methods for Politics and PolicyProvides an overview of quantitative and qualitative research methods used in social science and public policy fields. Emphasizes the most commonly used skills in these professions, including case studies and survey research.
Electives (15 credits)
Choose 5 of the following courses:
- POLS 213 Women and PoliticsSurveys the role of women in US government and politics, including in all three branches of government. Students will reflect on the challenges faced by women in paths to power, as well as on the implications of these challenges for women. The course features case studies of important women in politics
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
General Education Area IV: Leadership
- POLS 231 Introduction to Comparative PoliticsOffers an introduction to the major concepts and analytical frameworks of the sub-field. While it is designed as the appropriate first course in comparative politics, its theoretical focus makes it appropriate for more advanced students as well. Formerly PSC 200 Introduction to Comparative Politics.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
- POLS 241 Introduction to International RelationsOffers an introduction to the theories, actors, arenas, and techniques of international politics. The course examines case studies on issues of current international importance. Formerly PSC 312 Introduction to International Relations.
3 credits
General Education Curriculum: Knowledge and Inquiry Area
FLC Area V
- POLS 243 The Politics of GlobalizationExamines the nature and implications of the rise of globalization for the world's political economies. Formerly PSC 214 The Politics of Globalization.
3 credits
- POLS 244 Law, Justice and Human RightsInvestigates notions of law and justice through the evolution of human rights and the extent to which legal systems embrace and promote such rights. Utilizes case studies to examine theory and practice of human rights and associated legal structures, including major intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, and international and national legal frameworks.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
- POLS 277 Personality and Political LeadershipExamines "political leadership" through a consideration of psychological studies and biographies of political leaders and by investigating theoretical frameworks that guide the study of political leadership. Formerly PSC 209 Personality and Political Leadership.
3 credits
General Education Requirements: Applications (Leadership)
- POLS 302 The American PresidencyThe Course views the presidency from two perspectives: as an institution and as a reflection of the individual in office. Leadership styles, relationships with other governmental branch, and policy-making roles are examined. Formerly PSC 334 - The American Presidency.
3 credits
Prerequisites: None
- POLS 305 Public PolicyFocuses on the overall policy-making process including its various stages and actors. Integrates material on the presidency, Congress, political parties, interest groups, courts, and public administration courses into an understanding of the whole policy process. Formerly PSC 352 Public Policy.
3 credits
- POLS 311 Constitutional LawStudies the United States Supreme Court, including its composition, decisions, and role in the American political process. Students read and brief court opinions involving issues such as racial discrimination, First Amendment rights, and separation of powers among the three branches of national government. Formerly PSC 326 Constitutional Law.
3 credits
Prerequisite: POLS 201 or POLS 299
- POLS 345 Environmental PoliticsExamines US and global environmental issues from a political science perspective. Introduces key concepts in environmental politics, including social costs, the tragedy of the commons, and ethical dilemmas such as the trade-off between individual and societal benefits or between economic development and environmental protections. Topics include pollution, climate change, deforestation, overfishing, and mineral extraction.
3 Credits
Prerequisites: None
- POLS 403 Political Power: Interest Groups, Lobbying, and Public PolicyUses case studies to test ideas about the nature of political power and the behavior and impact of organized groups on the American political process. A historical perspective on lobbying and lobby reform highlights the moral and political dilemmas. Formerly PSC 422 Political Power: Interest Groups, Lobbying, and Public Policy.
3 credits
- POLS 471 Politics and The MediaExamines coverage of politics, elections, and related topics. Current events are treated within a theoretical and historical perspective of major communications issues facing the ongoing American democratic experiment. Formerly PSC 420 Politics and the Media.
4 credits
Mentorship Courses (2 credits)
- GLBL 221 Global Affairs Mentorship IExplores career paths, experiential learning, and professional skills necessary for success in the field of global affairs. Should be taken in the second semester of sophomore year or first semester of junior year.
1 Credit
Prerequisites: None
- GLBL 222 Global Affairs Mentorship IIEngages students in guided preparation for professional and career opportunities outside of the classroom. Taken in second semester of junior year or first semester of senior year.
1 Credit
Prerequisites: None
Fieldwork Requirement (3 credits)
- POLS 365 Field Work: Political Parties, Campaigns, and ElectionsProvides an introduction to electoral processes and political party politics in the United States. Students learn specific skills and techniques used in political campaigns such as fundraising and targeting. Students work in a political campaign organization to fulfill part of their course requirements. Formerly PSC 330 Field Work: Political Parties, Campaigns, and Elections.
3 credits
The fieldwork experience rotates between Campaigns, Public Opinion Polling, Political Advocacy, and other topics. Other fieldwork experiences may be substituted with approval of the program chair.
Experiential Learning Requirement (3 credits)
- GLBL 411 Model Assembly of the Organization of American StatesPrepares students for participation in the World Model Organization of American States, a simulation of the proceedings and deliberations of the actual OAS General Assembly. Students learn about the structure and function of the OAS and about diplomatic rules of procedure, while also practicing research, writing and debating skills required for participation in the model assembly. Formerly INAF 411
*3 credits
*Prerequisites: None
Experiential Learning may also be fulfilled through an internship, Trinity partnership experience, study abroad, or independent study that results in presentation or publication.
Senior Seminar (3 credits)
- GLBL 499 Senior Seminar: Global AffairsProvides an opportunity for seniors in global affairs, history and political science compose their senior theses. Explores contemporary global issues through a wide range of sources and disciplinary perspectives. Formerly INS 481 Senior Seminar: International Studies, POLS 499: Senior Seminar; HIS 466: Senior Seminar.
3 credits
Pre-requisite: GLBL 201
Capstone Project
Minor Requirements (18 credits)
Students pursuing the minor must complete 18 credits of politics and policy courses at the 200-level or greater.
Program Policies
Advanced Placement:
A score of 4 or 5 on the AP examination is accepted for credit toward the degree. AP credit must be evaluated by program faculty for acceptance toward major or minor requirements.
CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations must be evaluated by program faculty for acceptance toward major or minor requirements.
Grades in Major Courses:
Students are required to maintain an average of “C” (2.0) or better in the major and minor. All courses for the major or minor require a “C-“ or better.
Pass/No Pass:
With the exception of internships, courses fulfilling a major or minor requirement may not be taken pass/no pass.
Senior Seminar:
Senior seminar is an interdisciplinary course designed to support students in the process of completing their senior capstone project, a research paper of 25-30 pages. A successful defense of the capstone research project fulfills the comprehensive exam (capstone) requirement for the major. Students are encouraged to pursue a project that relates to their plans for after graduation, whether attending graduate school or entering the workforce. Students are also highly encouraged to present the results in a public forum, such as Spring Research Day.
Capstone Project:
To complete their comprehensive examination requirement, students will present their senior project (written during the Senior Seminar) before two professors. Generally, the student will briefly present their research question, arguments, evidence, and conclusions, then will respond to questions from the professors and other students present. In addition, students are highly encouraged to present their research at Research Day and in other public forums, including conferences on undergraduate research. With guidance from program faculty, they may also wish to submit their work to undergraduate research journals.
Transfer Credits:
Transfer credits may be used to fulfill major requirements, as long as they are from courses that are substantially similar in rigor and content to relevant Trinity courses. At least 18 credits in the major must be taken at Trinity, including fieldwork, and experiential learning courses and Senior Seminar.