Department of Political Science and International Studies

Department Mission Statement:

The Department of Political Science and International Studies fosters the development of civically-engaged students who will become productive citizens dedicated to serving their communities, their nations, and the world. The Department’s mission is to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to be productive, politically literate, and engaged citizens in their communities, their nation, and the world. Integrating diverse and high-quality faculty research with excellence in the classroom, our programs promote intellectual, personal, and professional student development and cultivate research, communication, and analytical skills that are in high professional demand. Students are encouraged to bring fresh perspectives and critical thinking to the classroom that will help them become politically active. Our faculty are engaged in impactful service within the University, the profession, and the community. The Department values diversity in all its forms, recognizing that the inculcation of democratic virtues such as engagement, tolerance, and empathy are enhanced by the inclusion of multiple voices.

The Department offers a B. A. in Political Science and a B.A. in International Studies.

Political Science, B.A. Program Mission Statement:

The mission of the B.A. Political Science program at Georgia Southern University is to foster the development of civically engaged students who will become productive citizens dedicated to serving their communities, their nations, and the world. The program prepares graduates for success in political science career fields and/or higher studies in the field by developing student mastery of effective critical thinking and communication skills, conceptual foundation, and application of political theory and research methods to real world events. Undergraduate students in the program are presented with the theories, concepts, and realities pertinent to political processes in the context of the United States and the world. Our program’s emphasis is on providing our students with research and community service opportunities, public service internships, as well as study abroad experiences. The BA in Political Science offers students opportunities for active citizenship by preparing them for professional careers in government, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, business, studies in law, political science, and public policy. This is accomplished through the development of a unique and continually refined curriculum designed to include innovative instruction, in conjunction with relevant and diverse topical depth and breadth. This mission supports the University’s broader goal of creating vibrant learning environments that foster inclusive, student-centered culture of engagement designed to prepare students for lifelong service as scholars, leaders, and responsible stewards of their communities.

B. A. in Political Science Learning Outcomes:

SLO 1: Delineate the theoretical and methodological differences between the subfields of Political Science; i.e., American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory

SLO 2: Utilize appropriate nomenclature of the various subfields in Political Science in oral argumentation and written work

SLO 3: Demonstrate an ability to distinguish between the political processes of different forms of government in both the international and domestic realm

SLO 4: Demonstrate an ability to think critically by utilizing appropriate theoretical constructs in both qualitative and quantitative research projects

International Studies, B.A. Program Mission Statement:

The B.A. in International Studies program mission is to lay the occupational foundations required to prepare graduates for success in globalized career fields by fostering student mastery of effective critical thinking and communication skills, international integration comprehension, and global society competency. Undergraduate students in the program are presented with the theories, concepts, and realities of international economic, geographic, social, political, and cultural organization and interaction. The program aims to illustrate the practical application of these theories through the framework of existing global narratives and case studies, and the pursuit of original research. This is accomplished through the development of a unique and continually refined curriculum focused on excellence and designed to challenge students with innovative instruction, in conjunction with collaborative programs intended to provide opportunities for work, study and innovative discovery, both in the domestic community and abroad. The program also embraces the values of integrity, openness, inclusion and sustainability. Students who graduate with BAIS degree are able to evaluate and interpret differing perspectives to form original arguments utilizing evidence-based research, illustrate thematic connections clearly and persuasively in written and verbal formats, evaluate the scope and extent of human relationships and interactions across political, economic, social, geographic, and cultural borders, and critique the influence of the structures of different levels of analysis on the operation of the international system.

There is no national or outside accrediting institution for the program. Academic Program Student Learning Outcome Assessment Document This mission supports the University’s broader strategic initiatives to promote “collaboration, academic excellence, discovery and innovation, integrity, openness and inclusion, and sustainability” (https://president.georgiasouthern.edu/performance- excellence/mission-values/) through the development of international and transcultural perspectives in order to prepare the student population for leadership and service as global citizens who create a positive “global impact” (ibid).

B. A. in International Studies Learning Outcomes:

SLO 1: Evaluate and interpret differing perspectives to form original arguments utilizing evidence-based research

SLO 2: Illustrate thematic connections clearly and persuasively in written and verbal formats

SLO 3: Evaluate the scope and extent of human relationships and interactions across political, economic, social, geographic, and cultural borders

SLO 4: Critique the influence of the structures of different levels of analysis on the operation of the international system

Programs

Undergraduate Program(s)

Undergraduate Minor(s)