Political Science Major

What is Political Science?

Whether it is war in Iraq, a tightly contested campaign for President, revolutionary changes in Russia, or global terrorism, the political world is fascinating, ever changing, and complex.  This world is what political science explores.  Most simply, political science is the study of governments and the governing process.  But a sterile definition such as this misses the importance and excitement of what political science is all about.

The importance of the political world flows from the fact that political decisions are decisions affecting life and death, happiness and terror.   Political decisions can lead to a nuclear holocaust in which human civilization is ended or they can lead to stable, prosperous societies.  The excitement of the political world arises from people struggling to have their views and values made into public policy.  Because of the importance of the political world the stakes are high, and because the stakes are high persons' commitments are equally high.  Drama, conflict, human emotion, strategy, disorder, and sometimes violence are the end products; a far cry from musty law books and dry, technical debates.

Political science seeks to understand and react to this world of swirling events and players. To understand this world means possessing the ability to analyze, to put in context, and to develop a balanced perspective.  To react to this political world means one needs the ability to think critically and develop a sense of purpose and direction, to have values and beliefs which enable one to thoughtfully evaluate and prescribe.  Political science at Pepperdine University is a broad major.   It draws upon a wide variety of tools and explores a wide range of human endeavors.   It includes the ancient philosophies of Plato and Aristotle but also the latest computer driven statistical techniques.

The student majoring in political science is challenged to explore broadly, think deeply, analyze critically, and communicate clearly.  All these are skills which will stand a student in good stead in later life, whether or not pursuing a career related directly with the political world.

Unique Aspects

There are three distinguishing features of the political science major at Pepperdine University. One is an emphasis on integrating the theoretical work of the classroom with practical experience. Internships in Washington, D.C., Sacramento, California and the local Los Angeles area are available. In addition, students have an opportunity to participate each year with students from many other colleges and universities in the Model United Nations program, representing one of the nations of the world. Students also have the opportunity to attend the Sacramento Legislative Seminar, where they meet governmental officials and others on the Sacramento political scene. There are also opportunities to study abroad. In recent years political science majors have taken part in programs in London, England; Moscow, Russia; Heidelberg, Germany; Florence, Italy and elsewhere.

A second key feature of the political science major is the faculty's emphasis on giving a balanced emphasis on solid factual knowledge, the ideas and concepts of political philosophy, modern research concepts and methods, and basic beliefs and values rooted in Christianity. The faculty believes that the latest model for simulating voting behavior is important, but that St. Augustine's just war theory is also. An approach to the political world which emphasizes facts without values, research methodology without the great ideas of such thinkers as Plato, Locke and Madison, or any other one sided approach ill equips a person in living a thoughtful, purposeful life.

A third feature of the political science major is flexibility in meeting the needs and interests of the political science majors. The requirements for a political science major do not rigidly structure the courses students must take, but allow students to tailor their program to meet their needs and interests. In addition, the faculty is committed to offering special studies, designed to meet special needs not met by the existing course offerings. This flexibility also allows many students to double major with the second including history, economics, or journalism.

Career Opportunities

Because of the broad nature of political science and its emphasis upon critical, evaluative thinking, many career opportunities are open to the graduate of a political science program.

Law -- Career opportunities in the legal profession are numerous.  Although a number of majors can prepare one for a legal career, political science is an especially appropriate background since law is an aspect of governments and the governing process.  Many of our majors have been admitted to the top law schools in the nation and have gone on to successful legal careers.

Government Service/Political --There are many career possibilities in government service in what are considered political positions.   These include elective office, positions on the staffs of elected officials, and staff positions with one of the political parties.  A number of our graduates have gone directly from Pepperdine University to staff positions in Washington, D.C. and in Sacramento, California.

Government Service/Civil Service -- There are many government careers under the civil service systems of the national, state and local governments.  Most political science majors who enter a civil service position do so in an executive or management training position.  These positions are often very rewarding due to their broad, policy making roles.  Although not required for some of these positions, it is helpful to go on to graduate school to obtain a Master's Degree in Public Administration either immediately after graduation or after working for several years.

Secondary Education -- A number of our graduates obtain a secondary teaching credential and go on to careers teaching government or civics on the junior or high school level.

Professional Political Scientist -- An undergraduate major in political science can serve as the groundwork for the pursuit of graduate studies in Political Science leading to a Ph.D.  This equips one to teach and do research at the college and university level or in a full time research position with government or private agencies.  The job outlook for a professional political scientist in educational and research institutions has been increasing over the past few years and is now considered very good.

International Organizations -- In recent years the opportunities for qualified persons with an interest in international organizations has grown.  These positions are in private overseas voluntary agencies, international businesses, international governmental agencies and other international agencies.  Specific examples of international organizations with employment possibilities are in the CIA, the Peace Corps, the World Bank, World Vision, Catholic Relief Services, CARE, the United Nations, NATO, UNICEF, Sierra Club and more.

Interest Groups and Associations -- Since 1960 interest groups activity has exploded on both state and national levels.  One thinks immediately of traditional economic interest groups such as organized labor and business associations.  But the growth in public interest groups dealing with such issues as the environment, public health and safety, and community development has been phenomenal.  Both types of groups are looking for persons to do research, organize, and lobby.  A political science major is a natural for such positions.

Journalism -- Often covering community and political stories are a major part of the journalist's task.  Thus, political science is an excellent background for either print or broadcast journalism. Those contemplating such a career should either double major in Journalism or plan to obtain a Master's Degree in Journalism after completing a subject matter major in Political Science.

Business -- A large number of graduates (some studies suggest nearly one third) find employment in the business sector with careers in such fields as marketing, personnel, advertising, and public or community relations.  Others have obtained management training positions with public and private corporations.  The broad nature of a Political Science major is a quality that many corporations find attractive.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

A major in Political Science requires 4 lower division units and 32 upper division units.

Lower Division

Upper Division

To ensure some breath of knowledge, at least 1 course must come from 4 of the 5 following fields:

*Satisfies General Education requirement.

No more than one Supervised Fieldwork class (POSC 595) can be included in the minimum of 32 upper-division Political Science units.  A maximum of 4 units in Supervised Fieldwork may be taken for credit/no credit toward the required units in the major.  Political Science majors, particularly those planning to pursue graduate studies in Political Science, are urged to meet their General Education Mathematics requirement by taking POSC 250.  Political Science majors who take POSC 250 must take 28 upper division units to complete the major.