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Department of Political Science It is in the political arena that human aspirations are crafted into social policies which directly affect us all. Political science is the discipline that analyzes how that happens. Students in the field examine the problems facing our nation and others, and seek answers to the questions that we confront. Training in political science also helps the student think clearly and communicate effectively - skills that are required in any career. The major helps prepare students for careers in public service, law, diplomacy, journalism, the military, and teaching. Students who wish to go to law school may choose any major. Nevertheless, political science remains the most frequently selected major of those students who actually go to law school. For this reason, the political science department at Chapman University is the home of the Legal Studies Program, which is affiliated with Chapman's ABA accredited law school. The political science program at Chapman University emphasizes theoretical concepts learned in the classroom with practical "hands-on" experience learned by conducting polls in the Ludie and David C. Henley Social Sciences Research Lab, through internships in local and national government, travel, and participation in groups such as the Model United Nations. requirements Posc 110 Introduction to American Politics 3 Posc 120 Introduction to International Relations 3 Posc 200 Introduction to Political Philosophy 3 Posc 267 Social Sciences Forum 1 Soc 201 Social Research Design 3 Majors take three upper-division courses in one emphasis (American Politics, International Relations and Comparative Politics, or Political Philosophy): 9 credits (core courses do not apply); and two upper-division courses in each of the other emphases: 12 credits (core courses do not apply). At least 21 credits must be upper division (300 and above). At least 12 of these must be in residence. total credits 40 Students are exposed to the discipline of political science (the major concepts, vocabulary, and methods of the profession) in Posc 100 Introduction to Politics. In Posc 110 Introduction to American Politics, Posc 120 Introduction to International Relations, and Posc 200 Introduction to Political Philosophy, students learn the theory and practice of American politics and government, the concepts and theories central to an understanding of international relations, and the great and enduring ideas of political philosophy. Posc 267 Social Sciences Forum is a one-credit class that meets once a week during the noon hour. It features a wide variety of speakers from the community who are involved in public service in one form or another. The "forum" is a place where current events can be discussed. It also exposes students to possible careers they may wish to pursue. So that students can actually "do" political science, we require them to take Soc 201 Social Research Design. Students learn basic research methods and survey research techniques. Senior Seminar is the culmination of the major's course work. Students have the opportunity to reflect on the courses they have taken and the political experiences they have had outside the classroom (i. e., overseas study, internships, field trips, political activities, and guest speakers) as they produce an original research paper and get prepared for law school, graduate school, or the job market. Our courses fall into three groups or emphases: American Politics,
International Relations and Comparative Politics, and Political
Philosophy. Americanists are interested in isolating problems in American political
institutions and processes and suggesting Posc 211 Politics in Film and Television 3 Posc
240 Introduction to Law (counts toward emphasis) 3 Posc 310 The United States Presidency 3 Posc 311 The Legislative Process 3 Posc 312 Road to the White House 3 Posc
314 Governing the Golden State 3 Posc 317 The Politics of the 1960s 3 Posc
343 Constitutional Government 3 Posc 493 Washington Semester Research Paper 3 Posc
494 Washington Semester Seminar 3 Posc 497 The Orange County Internship Program 6 Posc
498 Orange County Internship Program Seminar 3 The demise of the Cold War, the rise of ethnic and national conflict, and the quest for a new global order demand an increased knowledge of the world beyond the borders of the United States. International relations is the study of political, economic, and military interactions across national boundaries. International relations includes the analysis of the foreign policies of individual countries, international law, governmental and non-governmental international organizations, arms control, international economic relations, and conflict resolution. Whereas international relations examines relations between nations and issues which transcend national boundaries such as the global distribution of food, energy and wealth, comparative politics looks at patterns of domestic politics and political development within and across various countries. Posc
211 Comparative Politics 3 Posc
327 Latin American Politics 3 Emphasis in Political Philosophy Questions of political philosophy underlie the entire discipline
of political science. Political philosophers pose questions concerning
the nature of democracy, justice, freedom, and equality, and ask
to what degree do we achieve these aspirations. The student of political
philosophy masters the critical and analytical methods of politcal
Posc 300 American Political Thought 3 Posc 301 History of Political Philosophy I 3 Posc 302 History of Political Philosophy II 3 Posc 308 Topics in Political Philosophy 3 Posc
309 Gay and Lesbian Politics 3 Extracurricular Opportunities In addition to an outstanding curriculum, the major in political
science at Chapman offers students opportunities in a variety of
academic and professional areas including the Model United Nations,
applied research, and internships in national and local government
through the Washington Semester Program and Orange County Internship
Program. Students in the Orange County Internship Program intern
with one of the Board of Supervisors offices or with a County Agency
(for example, the Public Defender, District Attorney, or Health
Care Agency). An accompanying seminar focuses on local government.
The Washington Semester Program places students in congressional
offices, the United States Supreme Court, or with an interest group
or government agency. Students can also get internship credit for
arranging their own internship, with the permission of a faculty
member, with, for example, a political campaign or in a law office.
As global citizens, and hopefully future lead ers, political science majors are encouraged to study abroad for a semester and to take one of the various travel courses offered by our department. The total number of credits required for the major is 40. Students with scores of 3, 4, or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination will be granted 3 credits, waiving Introduction to American Politics. Minor in Political Science A minor in political science requires a total of 21 credits in political science with at least 12 upper-division credits. Students who wish to design a minor in a particular emphasis should speak with one of the political science faculty. Legal Studies Bachelor of Arts The legal studies major provides students a foundation to study the role of law through familiarity of legal institutions, legal process, and legal theory. It is designed to equip students with an interdisciplinary perspective of law based on a liberal arts tradition and not as a substitute to a law school education. As such, legal studies is a liberal arts major in the Wilkinson College of Letters and Sciences. The courses offered in the major benefit students entering the legal profession or law related careers by exposing them to reading legal cases, exacting writing, and critical thinking. Students considering a legal career are advised to select courses emphasizing the development of these skills. However, modern law has grown increasingly attuned to the use of social science knowledge in the resolution of contemporary complex legal issues. While striving to obtain the traditional skills for the study of law, students in the legal studies program are given an opportunity to view law in relation to its broader social, political, historical and economic context, forming a solid preparation for law school or other graduate training. The legal studies major is distinct from the political science major, though it is housed in the political science department. Legal studies students must receive at least a C-in each of the core courses. Core courses may not be taken on a pass/ no pass basis. core requirements (16 credits) Posc 100 Introduction to Politics 3 Posc 110 Introduction to American Politics 3 Posc 240 Introduction to Law 3 Posc 267 Social Science Forum 1 Soc 201 Social Research Design 3 five of the following (15 credits) Phil 318 Political and Legal Philosophy 3 Posc 320 International Law, International Organization, and World Order 3 Posc 341 Mass Communications Law 3 Posc 343 Constitutional Government 3 Posc 344 Constitutional Rights 3 Posc 348 Native American Law and Society 3 Posc 440 Jurisprudence 3 Hist 323 The Western Legal Tradition 3 Posc 490 Independent Internship 1-3 Hist 323 The Western Legal Tradition 3 Hr 406 Legal Issues in Administration 3 Pcst 453 Conflict Resolution 3 emphasis (15 credits) Select an emphasis in one department other than legal studies (15 credits), at least 12 credits of which must be upper division. Students who write well and have good analytical skills do better on the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test) and in law school. Therefore, the department strongly recommends courses with a substantial writing and reading component. total credits 46 Minor in Legal Studies A minor in legal studies requires a total of 21 credits in legal
studies courses with at least 12 upper-division credits. Students
who wish to design a legal studies minor should speak with an advisor
in the political science department.
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