About Our Program

The program provides a thorough introduction to all fields of political science. Emphasis is placed on governing systems, local and state government, public policy, the electoral process, foreign policy, and international relations. Opportunities are provided for participation in political campaigns. This program is designed for the student intending to pursue a baccalaureate degree in political science.

Nature of Work and Employment

Baccalaureate-degree political science majors typically are employed in private-sector management and public-sector positions on the local, state, and national levels. A growing number of interest groups and foundations are employing more political science majors. The field also serves as preparation for a pre-law major.

Special Considerations

The listed coursework is a recommendation only. Students should check with a student advisor for HCC graduation requirements and specific university requirements in this major. Students must meet with an advisor to ensure that the special requirements of the department and institution to which they plan to transfer are met. Political Science majors are strongly encouraged to include a foreign language as part of their program of study. Colleges and universities have specific requirements for transfer students.

Requirements

Associate of Arts Requirements

Students must meet all requirements for the Associate of Arts degree in order to graduate from Highland Community College. For more information, please see your advisor.

Recommended Courses

The following are recommended courses for this major.

It is suggested that students who major in political science concentrate on at least one foreign language because many four-year colleges and universities require a proficiency in one foreign language to graduate with a B.A. degree. For more information, please see your student advisor.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
POL 151	Introduction Political Science	3
POL 152	American Government & Politics	3
POL 153	State and Local Government	3
POL 253	International Relations	3
POL 254	Intro Comparative Government	3

Program Outcomes

• Written Communication: Students will be able to produce written work that displays college-level skills, insight, and critical thinking through meaningful and appropriate content.
• Oral Communication: Students will be able to prepare and deliver a purposeful presentation designed to increase knowledge, to foster understanding, or to promote change in the listeners’ attitudes, values, beliefs, or behaviors.
• Critical Thinking: Students will be able to evaluate and create arguments that consider a variety of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events.
• Quantitative Literacy: Students will demonstrate the ability to reason and solve quantitative problems from a wide array of authentic contexts and everyday life situations.
• Information Literacy: Students will engage in reflective discovery of information, evaluate information based on an understanding of how it is produced and valued, synthesize information to create new knowledge and participate ethically in communities of learning.
• Diversity: Students will recognize diversity in the global community and model culturally competent civic and social participation.

Program Contacts

Call Highland at 815-235-6121 for the following program contacts:

• Sammy Ahmed, History/Political Science Faculty
• Beth Groshans, Student Advisor
• Rae Schupbach-Roe, Dean, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Fine Arts