Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/International Affairs

Mission

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science/International Affairs aims to train students in comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and the methodologies of political analysis. The program equips students with the analytical skills to excel in governmental, corporate, and NGO sectors and provides a solid research foundation for pursuing graduate studies. Additionally, it fosters the development of future leaders who value diversity and are committed to ethical, informed decision-making in a variety of professional contexts.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the BA in Political Science/International Affairs program will be able to:

Pursue academic and professional careers in Political Science, International Affairs, and related fields.
Appreciate the diversity of perspectives and experiences influencing global political, social, and economic environments.
Integrate gender, cultural, social, legal, and ethical considerations into the analysis of politics and international affairs.
Demonstrate a strong foundation in theories, concepts, and research methods in political science and international affairs across local, national, and international contexts.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will:

Distinguish between the different areas of study in Political Science/International Affairs.
Demonstrate knowledge of principal concepts and theories in Political Science/International Affairs.
Acquire research skills appropriate to Political Science/International Affairs.
Apply learned concepts and theories to analyze local, regional, and global issues.
Demonstrate critical thinking in the analysis of politics and international affairs.
Communicate effectively to disseminate knowledge to diverse audiences.
Adhere to recognized ethical standards in political science and international affairs.

Curriculum

A total of 92 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

Major Core Courses (24 credits)
Major Electives (18 credits)
LAS Core (6 credits)
LAS Electives (21 credits)
Free Electives (23 credits)

A senior study project is required for all students in addition to successful completion of the course of study.

Major Core Courses (24 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.)
POL242 Introduction to International Relations (3 cr.)
POL318 Research Methodology I (Qual.) (3 cr.)
POL319 Research Methodology II (Quant.) (3 cr.)

Students have the choice to choose one of the following courses. Students who wish to register POL49X Undergraduate Research should have a minimum GPA of 3.2.

POL499R Undergraduate Research (3 cr.)
Or
POL499P Capstone Project (3 cr.)

Major Electives (18 credits)

Choose 6 courses from the lists below. Students should take a minimum of 2 400 level courses.

Global Governance

POL324 Foreign Policy Analysis (3 cr.)
POL325 Diplomatic and Consular Services (3 cr.)
POL326 Politics of the European Union (3 cr.)
POL327 Fundamentals of Security Studies (3 cr.)
POL331 International Organization (3 cr.)
POL332 Public International Law (3 cr.)
POL346 International Political Economy (3 cr.)
POL357 Globalization &Political Change (3 cr.)
POL434 Topics in Global Governance (3 cr.)

Comparative Politics

POL252 Fundamentals of Conflict Resolution (3 cr.)
POL321 American Gov’t & Politics (3 cr.)
POL328 Fundamentals of Public Policy (3 cr.)
POL334 Negotiation and Bargaining (3 cr.)
POL335 Politics of Multiculturalism (3 cr.)
POL336 Politics of the Global South (3 cr.)
POL435 Topics of Comparative Politics (3 cr.)

Middle East Politics

POL323 M.E. Government and Politics (3 cr.)
POL422 The M.E. in the World Affairs (3 cr.)
POL436 Topics in Middle Eastern Studies (3 cr.)
SOC321 Sociology of the Arab World (3 cr.)
WOS313 Women in the Arab World (3 cr.)

Academic Catalog 2024–2025