Politics (B.A.)
Resources for the study of politics in the Washington area are extraordinary, and students frequently have the opportunity to participate in history-making events that occur in this capital city. The program presents a structured curriculum of courses in political theory, international relations, and the politics and governmental institutions of the United States and foreign countries. Students majoring in politics are encouraged to consider a minor in communication, economics, English, history, information technology, international studies, or philosophy.
Seniors are required to complete an internship in a government agency, congressional office, corporate government affairs department, or other site approved by the academic internship mentor for politics. Seniors must also complete the senior seminar.
Upon successful completion of the politics program, students will be able to
- explain the internal logic of basic political science concepts such as power, institutions, political systems, the state, conflict, and citizenship;
- acquire factual knowledge using appropriate sources;
- interpret information as a way to evaluate abstract or conceptual ideas;
- understand the motivations and beliefs of political actors from their own perspectives;
- use conceptual ideas to evaluate novel situations;
- express analysis and conclusions in clear writing;
- understand the structure and conclusions of scholarly articles in political science; and
- understand, correctly, the basic working of political institutions in the United States and around the world.
A minor in politics is also available. Please see the School of Humanities minors section for details.
Politics Honors: Students who major in politics, achieve at graduation a minimum GPA of 3.5 in politics courses (at least eight credits of which must be completed at Marymount University), and achieve superior performance in the senior thesis are eligible to graduate with honors in politics.
Degree Requirements — Politics
This degree requires a total of 120 credits.
Liberal Arts Core and University Requirements
See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core for details. Politics majors will satisfy the three-course university Writing Intensive (WI) requirement in the following way: POL 250 Research and Writing, POL 420 Senior Seminar, and one additional WI course. They will satisfy the Global Perspective requirement with POL 102 International Relations.
Major Requirements
To fulfill the requirements of the major, all students in this program will take the following coursework in a sequence determined in collaboration with an advisor. Some courses also satisfy Liberal Arts Core and/or University Requirements.
Major Required Courses
Major Elective Courses
Eighteen (18) additional credits in politics courses.
Sample Degree Plan — Politics
Please note that this is a sample plan; all students must consult with an advisor in making course selections.
Year One — Fall
| POL 102 | International Relations * | 3 |
| EN 101 | Composition I * | 3 |
| PH 100 | Introduction to Philosophy * | 3 |
| HI | Introductory History (HI-1) core course * | 3 |
| CNCT 100 | Connections * | 3 |
Year One — Spring
| EN 102 | Composition II * | 3 |
| POL 103 | Comparative Politics * | 3 |
| TRS 100 | Theological Inquiry * | 3 |
| | Natural Science (NS) core course with lab * | 4 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Two — Fall
| POL 210 | Western Political Concepts I | 3 |
| POL 230 | American Policy Process * | 3 |
| POL 250 | Research and Writing * | 3 |
| EN | Introductory Literature (LT-1) core course * | 3 |
| | Mathematics (MT) core course - MA 132 recommended * | |
Year Two — Spring
| POL 211 | Western Political Concepts II | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced Literature (LT-2), or Advanced History (HI-2) core course * | 3 |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) core course in economics, psychology, or sociology * | |
| | Introductory Social Science (SS-1) in a third discipline or Second Natural Science (NS) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three — Fall
| | One (1) politics course | 3 |
| | Fine Arts (FNA), Advanced History (HI-2), or Advanced Literature (LT-2) core course (Advanced History recommended) * | 3 |
| PH | Advanced Philosophy (PH-2) or Philosophical Ethics (PH-E) core course * | 3 |
| | One (1) elective - 2nd WI course if not already completed * | |
| | One (1) elective | 3 |
Year Three — Spring
| | Two (2) politics courses | 6 |
| | Advanced Theology/Religious Studies (TRS-2) or Theological Ethics (TRS-E) core course * | 3 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
Year Four — Fall
| POL 400 | Internship * | 3 |
| | Two (2) politics courses | 6 |
| | Two (2) electives | 6 |
POL 400: EXP course. Internship may be taken for 3 or 6 credits.
Year Four — Spring
| POL 420 | Senior Seminar * | 3 |
| | One (1) politics course | 3 |
| | Three (3) electives | 9 |
* Fulfills Liberal Arts Core/University Requirements. See University Requirements and the Liberal Arts Core and the Course Descriptions for further information.