Political Science

Why should I major in this subject?

Political science is the study of government and public policy and of the political behavior of both individuals and groups. It uses both humanistic and scientific perspectives and skills to examine the United States, all other countries and regions of the world, and international relations. We explore issues of governance, as well as the relations within institutions of governance and between them and civil society.

We hope that students choose to major in Political Science as a result of a commitment to understand and improve local, national, and/or global politics. Toward that end, political science majors acquire skills in writing, communication, and analysis that are critical to their ability to think independently, to develop tolerance for others, and to register their concern for public affairs. You should consider majoring in political science if you are interested in developing these skills along with an informed awareness of political process and behavior and the capacity to become an active participant in current political affairs. You may also want to consider this major if you think you may want to pursue any one of the various career or graduate/professional school opportunities available to political science majors, including such professional schools as law, business, and international affairs, as well as careers in both the private and public sectors.

What are some useful first courses that I should take in order to get to know this field of study? When should I take them?

Unless you are exempt due to an AP Exam score of 5 or greater, you should begin to explore this major by taking one of the introductory courses Introduction to American Government and Politics (POLS W1201), Comparative Politics: an Introduction (POLS V1501), and Introduction to International Politics (POLS W1601), if possible by your sophomore year. In Introduction to American Government and Politics, you will explore the dynamics of American political institutions and process as well as the exercise of political power by interest groups, political parties, and public opinion. Comparative Politics will introduce you, through the study of politics in selected nations, to the approaches and issues of contemporary political study, with a focus on the causes of revolution, the roots of democracy, and the nature of nationalism with regard, for example, to contemporary inter-state and global problems and processes. On the other hand, Introduction to International Politics focuses more specifically on the setting and dynamics of global politics, with an emphasis on contemporary problems and processes. You should also note that Dynamics of American Politics (BC3001) or Introduction to Political Thought (POLS W1002), which are designed exclusively for Barnard and General Studies students respectively, may not be counted toward the Columbia College political science major.

What are the major requirements?

For a major in political science, you must complete 29 points of coursework chosen from among the political science course list and distributed as follows:

Required Major Courses

9 points in one of the four sub fields (American, International Relations, Comparative, and Political Theory)
6 points in an additional sub field
6 additional points of political science electives. Please note that at least two of the three introductory courses (1201, 1501, 1601) must be taken as part of the above 21-point distribution.

Required Seminars

Two four-point seminars, one in the junior year and one in the senior year (with exceptions made for students on leave or study abroad, subject to approval by an undergraduate adviser). You may choose from among the seminars offered, though at least one of the seminars should be in your major sub field (the one in which you have completed at least 9 other points). Entry into seminars requires the instructor's permission, which is obtained after the first class meeting. Please see here for detailed seminar registration guidelines.

Why do the requirements take this form?

The major is structured to ensure a depth of focus in an area of specialization, and breadth in the other areas of political science and related disciplines that both inform and enrich our analysis. We also use a combination of lecture courses (such as the introductions) to provide background, and smaller courses (such as the seminars) to allow for more intensive collaboration with faculty and to provide supervised research and writing. To cap your academic experience you may also choose to do individualized research under the guidance of a faculty advisor, and/or, if you are accepted into the Honors Program, a Senior Honors Thesis.

Whom do I speak to about this major? How does the department structure its faculty for advising purposes?

Once you have declared your major you should contact the Undergraduate Coordinator, Nathalie Neptune, who is located in room 710 IAB and who will provide you with further information. For information on the major and guidance in program planning, you should stop by the Undergraduate Advising Office on the 7th floor of IAB during advising hours, or you may contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies during office hours.

When should I declare my major?

While students normally declare a major during the major declaration period in the spring semester of the sophomore year, we strongly encourage you to take one or two of the introductory courses as early in your academic program as possible.

What research opportunities exist in or through the department?

Opportunities for research assistants within the department are available periodically. Typically, these are filled by the professor either announcing such positions to current or past students or publicizing them on the department listserv (POLS-UNDER). If you are interested in obtaining a possible position as a research assistant, you should consult with your professors, advisors, and check the department�s listserv. If you wish to do individualized research under the guidance of a professor you must first approach the appropriate professor individually with your desired research topics and proposals. If your proposal is accepted and the professor agrees to act as your advisor, you should then register for a variable point Individualized Research course (POLS C3911 or C3912). You should keep in mind, however, that faculty are not required to accept the responsibility of overseeing a research project, nor is the department responsible for matching students with professors. Instead, you will need to take the initiative to find and approach a faculty member and provide a persuasive proposal.

The department also offers a Senior Honors Seminar that requires students to complete two terms of research during the senior year and to write a thesis. If you are interested in this option, you may apply for this course during the summer after your junior year.

Will study abroad enhance this major?

Yes, study abroad may enhance the major, especially in the area of comparative politics, and even international politics. Study abroad can not only offer a variety of educational opportunities that complement your major, but also can enrich your intellectual experience and your social experience of political science as a discipline informed by a comparative perspective. If you are considering the study abroad option, we urge you, however, to discuss your study abroad plans with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to ensure that your program of study both enhances and extends your work at Columbia and integrates well with your requirements in the major.

How might a sample track or course of study look?

Regardless of the specialization that you that you select, you should begin your studies in political science with an introductory course in a sub field and then pursue more advanced courses in that sub field according to your interest, and do the same in at least one other sub field. The major sub field can be determined in advance, or according to how your interests develop in courses. You should look for a seminar in your junior year and another in your senior year, with at least one in your major sub field. A likely program of study with a specialization in American Politics might follow this model:

First Year	Introduction to American Government and Politics (POLS W1201) Race and Ethnicity in American Politics
Sophomore Year	Introduction to American Government and Politics (POLS W1201) Race and Ethnicity in American Politics
Junior Year	Voting and American Politics Seminar in International Politics (POLS W3961-W3962) (lst 4-point seminar) Public Opinion and Political Behavior (elective)
Senior Year	Conflict and Cooperation in World Politics Nationalism and Contemporary World Politics Seminar in American Politics (POLS W3921-W3922) (sub field 4-point seminar)

How does one receive departmental honors?

The department offers an honors program for a limited number of seniors who are interested in doing substantial research projects and in writing honors theses. The honors thesis is expected to be approximately 60�75 pages in length and of exceptional quality. Honors students perform research as part of a full-year honors seminar (POLS C3998 - C3999 , 8 points total) during their senior year, in place of the seminar requirement for majors. Honors students may, however, take regular seminars as electives toward the major. Theses are due in late March/early April. To be awarded departmental honors, the student must satisfy all the requirements for the major, maintain a 3.6 GPA in the major; and complete a thesis of sufficiently high quality to merit honors.

The honors seminar is under the overall direction of the honors seminar director, who is assisted by several preceptors. The honors seminar director supervises all students; each student also works with a faculty member in his or her major subfield (American politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory) as well as with a preceptor with an appropriate specialization. The honors seminar meets weekly for part of the year. These meetings cover general issues involved in research and thesis writing, such as how to develop research questions and projects; methodology; sources of evidence; and outlining and drafting long papers. The sessions are also used for group discussions of students� research and student presentations of their theses. In addition, each student is expected to meet periodically with the professor and with the preceptor supervising the thesis.

Students who wish to apply to the honors program must notify the department in writing. Please see the department website for the due date.

Applications must include
(1) the student�s CUID number, e-mail address, and school (Columbia College or General Studies);
(2) a writing sample, preferably a paper written for a political science course;
(3) a brief description (no more than one page) of a possible thesis topic. For guidelines for writing your proposal, please see here.

These items should be sent to:

Department of Political Science
Attn: Departmental Honors
420 West 118th Street
Mail Code 3320
New York, NY 10027

Students will be notified by email of the decision taken on their applications before fall registration. Questions about the honors program should be directed to the Undergraduate Coordinator, Nathalie Neptune, or the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Professor Robert Shapiro.

Students who are not accepted into the Honors Seminar, or students who decide after the application deadline that they would like to write an honors thesis, may take one or two semesters of Special Reading and Research (Columbia College students) or Independent Study (General Studies students) with a faculty member in order to write a thesis to submit for honors consideration.For more details about this process and for registration information, please contact the Undergraduate Coordinator, Nathalie Neptune. Students may also submit a paper written for a class.All theses must be submitted along with a confidential assessment of the paper by the supervising instructor in order to be considered for departmental honors.Students who choose this path must also complete all the requirements for the major and maintain a minimum major GPA of 3.6. Again, the thesis would be due in late March/early April, and decisions about departmental honors are announced in May.

What awards and prizes are sponsored by the department?

Among the prizes that the Department can recommend are the Caroline Phelps Stokes Prize (for best essay on the rights of man) and the Alan J. Willen Memorial Prize (for best seminar paper on a contemporary American political problem).� There are several other awards and fellowships for which faculty may nominate you.� You should also consult the Prizes and Fellowships section of the on-line Bulletin for other prizes in the social sciences for which you may be eligible.�

Are there any student clubs, committees, and/or activities offered within or through the department?

The Political Science Students Association (PSSA) offers an array of lectures, workshops and other programs, organized by students with the support of the Department. The Department also organizes its own activities. For more information on these activities and events, please check the departmental Web site.

What career opportunities follow upon study in this field?

Political Science majors qualify for many different careers in private and public sector organizations, including careers in business, the law, state, local and federal government, journalism, international organizations and finance, political campaigns, interest groups and associations, and pre-college and college teaching.

Whom should I contact about graduate study in this field?

For information about opportunities and requirements for graduate study in political science or related fields, you should discuss options with your professors from class, your advisor; the Director of Undergraduate Studies will also connect you with the current Director of Graduate Studies.

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