Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Overview
The B.A. in Political Science prepares students for a variety of professions, including diplomacy, international business, international organizations, journalism, and politics, among others, through a rigorous program that emphasizes theory, methodology and practice. Individual political science graduates also pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in Lebanon, Europe, and North America.
Mission
The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science prepares students in comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, as well as the methodology of political analysis. The program prepares students for graduate studies and/or a variety of entry-level careers.
Program Objectives
Graduates in the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science should be able to:
- attain knowledge of facts, theories, and concepts in political science at the national, regional and international levels,
- integrate the cultural, social, legal, and ethical issues inherent in the description and analysis of politics, and
- conduct research and apply team work and interpersonal skills effectively.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the B.A. in Political Science, students should be able to:
- describe the basic concepts and theories pertaining to political science,
- analyze the interrelationship among the historical, political, economic, cultural, and geographic dimensions in political science,
- apply research methods, description, analysis, interpretation and explanation of aspects of political science in written and oral forms,
- address problems related to political science in a cooperative manner,
- demonstrate ability to analyze complex ethical issues, and
- demonstrate collaborative and ethical professional practice.
Curriculum
A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:
- Major Courses (42 credits)
- Other Major Requirements (9 credits)
- LAS Core (6 credits)
- LAS Electives (24 credits)
- Computer Skills (1 credit)
- Free Electives (10 credits)
A senior study project is required for all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.
Major Courses (42 credits)
- POL201 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.)
- POL203 Government & Politics of Lebanon (3 cr.)
- POL210 Introduction to Political Thought (3 cr.)
- POL222 Comparative Political Systems (3 cr.)
- POL240 Concepts of World Politics (3 cr.)
- POL312 Politics of Developing Areas (3 cr.)
- POL314 Research Methodology (3 cr.)
- POL321 American Government & Politics (3 cr.)
- POL322 Foreign Policy of the Major Powers (3 cr.)
- POL323 Middle East Government & Politics (3 cr.)
- POL331 International Organization (3 cr.)
- POL332 Public International Law (3 cr.)
- POL422 The Middle East in World Affairs (3 cr.)
- POL499 Senior Study (3 cr.)
Other Major Requirements (9 credits)
- ECO202 Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
- HST305 Contemporary Europe 1945–1989 (3 cr.)
- POL252 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution (3 cr.)
LAS Core (6 credits)
LAS Electives (24 credits)
- Arts and Humanities (12-15 credits)
- Natural Sciences (3-6 credits)
- Social Sciences (3 credits)
- Free LAS (3 credits)
Computer Skills (1 credit)
- CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)
Free Electives (10 credits)
Recommended Study Plan
Year One
Fall (16 credits)
- POL201 Introduction to Political Science (3 cr.)
- CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)
- ENGxxx English course (3 cr.)
- LAS (3 cr)
- LAS (3 cr.)
- LAS (3 cr.)
Spring (18 credits)
- ECO202 Macroeconomics (3 cr.)
- POL210 Introduction to Political Thought (3 cr.)
- POL222 Comparative Political System (3 cr.)
- ENG xxx English course (3 cr.)
- LAS (3 cr.)
- LAS (3 cr.)
Year Two
Fall (18 credits)
- POL203 Governments & Politics of Lebanon (3 cr.)
- POL240 Concepts of World Politics (3 cr.)
- POL323 Middle East Government & Politics (3 cr.)
- Free Elective (3 cr.)
- LAS (3 cr.)
- LAS (3 cr.)
Spring (15 credits)
- POL312 Politics of Developing Areas (3 cr.)
- POL322 Foreign Policy of the Major Powers (3 cr.)
- POL252 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution (3 cr.)
- Free Elective (3 cr.)
- LAS Elective (3 cr.)
Year Three
Fall (15 credits)
- POL314 Research Methodology (3 cr.)
- POL331 International Organization (3 cr.)
- HST305 Contemporary Europe 1945–1989 (3 cr.)
- LAS Elective (3 cr.)
- Free Elective (3 cr.)
Spring (16 cr)
- POL321 American Government & Politics (3 cr.)
- POL332 Public International Law (3 cr.)
- POL422 The Middle East in World Affairs (3 cr.)
- POL499 Senior Project (3 cr.)
- LAS (3 cr.)
- Free Electives (1 cr.)
Extracurricular Activities
The program encourages students to get involved in a large variety of extracurricular activities. LAU sends 16 Political Science (PS) and Political Science and International Affairs (PS-IA) students to the Harvard World Model United Nations simulation held each year in a different country. Students learn and practice political and diplomatic skills that are valuable in their future careers.
Many PS majors have the opportunity to participate as organizers and trainers in LAU’s Global Classrooms-Model United Nations, which trains around 1300 local and regional high school students in diplomacy.
Furthermore, PS and PS-IA majors have the opportunity to participate in conferences, workshops, simulations and lectures organized by the school, department and affiliated institutes and centers, especially the Institute for Social Justice and Conflict Resolution and the Institute for Migration Studies.
Political Science majors have the opportunity to do a semester abroad at Sciences-Po (France).