Program Requirements and Opportunities

Political Science is the study of justice and authority, peace and conflict, public policies and elections, government and law, democracy and autocracy, freedom and oppression.  More than any other social science, Political Science uses a wide variety of approaches to explain political phenomena and to evaluate the actions of polities and leaders. The Political Science major develops reading, writing, and thinking skills necessary for a critical understanding of the political world.  The major prepares students to go on to public policy or law schools as well as to graduate work in Political Science. Majors in the department have pursued careers worldwide in public service, journalism, advocacy, law, and education, to name a few.

Major Requirements

Students who wish to declare Political Science as a major should contact the Political Science Chair.  The department will attempt to respect requests for a particular advisor, but, because of the need to distribute advisees evenly among the faculty, cannot guarantee particular requests.

All Haverford Political Science courses count toward the Bryn Mawr major (the same is generally true for courses at Swarthmore and Penn).  Majors in the Bryn Mawr department must take at least four (for 2019-20: three) of their major courses here, in addition to 399.

The study of politics covers a wide ground, and the Political Science major is designed to give students an opportunity to focus their study while also attending to questions, issues, and problems that run through the study of politics more generally, and that connect the study of politics to other disciplines. We have organized the major along the lines of four general themes as well as according to traditional subfields

• Identity and  Difference
• Policy Formation and Political Action
• Interdependence and Conflict
• Political and Legal Theory
• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Politics
• Law and Policy

The Political Science major consists of a minimum of 10 courses: 

Two introductory-level courses, which prospective majors should complete by the end of their sophomore year, from this list: 121, 123 (at HC), 131, 141, 143 (at HC), 151 (at HC), 228, 245 and 231.  These courses may be taken in any order. 

Two concentrations, at least one of which should be from either the general themes or the traditional subfields listed above.  The second concentration is normally also chosen from those categories, but it can be based on a more substantive focus (e.g. gender, environmental politics, or the politics of a particular region), to be determined in consultation with the student's advisor.  Each concentration consists of three courses, at least one of which must be at the 300 level and all of which must be either at the 200 or 300 level. The specific courses required to satisfy the concentration will be determined as part of a major work plan by the student and her advisor. 

One course with explicit attention to research in Political Science. This course should treat different approaches to political research, staged writing and revision of a research project, and culminate with a research project (a research design or research essay). The following regularly offered courses at Bryn Mawr and Haverford can fulfill this requirement. Other courses can be designated as Research Attentive or approved by the department chair. POLS 233 (Intro to Research Design and Data Analysis), POLS H277 (Quantitative Methods), POLS 310 (Comparative Public Policy), POLS 339 (Bureaucracy & Democracy in America), POLS 391 (International Political Economy), POLS 367 (China and the World), POLS 371 (Topics in Political Philosophy), POLS 382 (Comparative Political Parties). 

(The research attentive course requirement is only in effect for majors declaring in AY 2024-2025 and after. Students already declared need only take an additional 300-level course.) 

Senior Essay (399), to be taken in the spring semester of the senior year. 

At least four courses, in addition to POLS 399, must be taken in the Bryn Mawr Political Science Department.  

Senior Capstone

The senior project in Political Science can take one of two forms. All students can choose to write Senior Field Essays. With faculty approval and a well-constructed project, students can instead choose to write a senior thesis. Students on both paths will have an oral “defense” at the end of the spring semester.

Senior Field Essays

The Senior Field Essays consist of two essays (approximately 12-15 pages each) on two topics or themes that the student has studied during their time at Bryn Mawr. These essays are an opportunity to reflect on topics/themes of the students’ own choosing, and are intended to draw on, and extend and/or integrate ideas from various courses that the student has taken. Generally, the topics of the essays should reflect their two concentrations and the courses taken within each; the precise topic of each essay will be determined by the student in consultation with a senior essay advisor. Each essay should discuss approximately 5-7 relevant works (books and/or articles), although a higher or lower number (or a specific balance between books and articles) may be determined in consultation with the faculty advisor. The precise number of works considered may vary depending on the topic and will be determined in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Students attend a fall meeting to discuss the general requirements for the essays, and submit a proposal for the topics of the two essays at about the 10th week of the fall semester. (The exact date is announced at the fall meeting). Students are assigned an advisor who meets with the student at the end of fall semester or beginning of spring semester. Students meet regularly with their advisors through the spring semester to discuss their work-in-progress. The first essay is submitted before spring break. The second essay is submitted by the last day of spring classes.

Senior Thesis

Students who are interested in the possibility of writing a thesis and who have a clearly defined thesis topic should discuss their prospective thesis with a member of the Political Science faculty during the fall semester prior to fall break. The faculty member and the student will discuss the appropriateness of doing a thesis in lieu of the Field Essays. With the approval of the faculty member, the student will submit a detailed thesis proposal in lieu of the Field Essay proposals, due around the 10th week of fall semester. Students writing a thesis are assigned a thesis advisor with whom the student meets regularly during the spring term.

Senior Orals

During finals weeks of the spring semester, senior Political Science majors will meet with their advisor and a second faculty reader to discuss their completed field essays or thesis. This is an opportunity for the student to answer questions about, and elaborate on, their senior projects.

Major Credit for Courses Outside the  Political Science Department

Up to three courses from departments other than Political  Science may be accepted for major credit, if in the judgment of the department  these courses are an integral part of a student’s major plan. Decisions as to which outside courses count for Political Science major credit are made by the faculty on a case by case basis.  When in doubt, students should consult their major advisor or the department chair. Ordinarily, 100-level courses taken in other departments may not be counted for major  credit in Political Science.

We encourage students to spend a semester abroad during their junior year.  We generally count one course taken abroad for credit toward the major.  Courses taken abroad count at the 200 level only.

Praxis Courses for Major Credit 

Praxis courses can count within the Political Science major at the 200-level, pending approval by a major’s Political Science advisor. In order to count, Praxis courses need to involve attention to or involvement with political phenomena and include some research component (formalized through a poster, written document, or other form). 

Writing Intensive and Writing Attentive Courses

Students are required to take at least one writing intensive course or two writing attentive courses in their major.  Political Science generally offers one writing intensive course annually.  In addition, a number of 300-level courses that count as writing attentive will be offered annually.

Departmental Honors

Students who have done distinguished work in their courses in the major and who write outstanding senior capstones will be considered for departmental honors.

Minor Requirements

A minor in Political Science consists of six courses distributed across a minimum of two fields. At least four of these courses must be at the 200 level or higher, and at least two of them must be at the 300 level.  At least three of the courses must be taken from the Bryn Mawr Department of Political Science course offerings.

The fields are:

• Identity and Difference
• Policy Formation and Political Action
• Interdependence and Conflict
• Political and Legal Theory
• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Politics
• Law and Policy

Course Designations

Almost every course offered in the Political Science  Departments at Bryn Mawr and Haverford will count for at least one of the fields of concentration, and some may count for more than one (no single course, however, may  be counted as part of more than one field of concentration).  Many courses offered at Swarthmore and Penn  will also count toward these.  Because new courses are often being created, the following is not an exhaustive list; students should consult their advisor for information on classifying any courses that do not appear on here.

Identity and Difference

123 American Politics: Difference and Discrimination (H)
131 Introduction to Comparative Politics
205 European Politics: Coming Together or Falling Apart?
206 Conflict & Conflict Management
220 Constitutional Law
221 Gender and Comparative Politics
226 Social Movement Theory (H)
228 Introduction to Political Philosophy: Ancient and  Early Modern
229 Latino Politics in the U.S. (H)
231 Introduction to Political Philosophy: Modern
235 African Politics (H)
242 Gender and International Organizations
242 Women in War and Peace (H)
243 African and Caribbean Perspectives in World Politics
245 Philosophy of Law
248 Modern Middle East Cities
266 Virtue, Friendship, and Democratic Practice
283 Middle East Politics
285 Religion and the Limits of Liberalism (H)
286 Religion and American Public Life (H)
304 Community and the Politics of Place
320 Democracy in America (H)
336 Democracy and Democratization (H)
340 Postcolonialism and the Politics of Nation-building (H)
345 Islam, Democracy and Development (H)
348 Culture and Ethnic Conflict identity and conflict
352 Peace Studies in International Politics
354 Comparative Social Movements
367 China and the World: Implications of China's Rise
370 Becoming a People: Power, Justice, and the Political  (H)
375 Perspectives on Work, and Family in the U.S.
379 Feminist Political Theory (H)
382 Political Parties, Polarization and Democracy
391 International Political Economy                 

Policy Formation and Political Action

121 American Politics (H)
H121 American Politics and Its Dynamics (H)
131 Introduction to Comparative Politics
H123 American Politics: Difference and Discrimination (H)
H131 Comparative Government and Politics (H)
131 Introduction to Comparative Politics
205 European Politics: Coming Together or Falling Apart?
222 Introduction to Environmental Issues: Policy Making  in Comparative Perspective
H223 American Political Process: The Congress (H)
H224 The American Presidency  (H)
H225 Mobilization Politics (H)
H226 Social Movement Theory (H)
H227 Urban Politics (H)
H228 Urban Policy (H)
H230 Topics in Comparative Politics (H)
H235 African Politics (H)
H237 Latin American Politics (H)
242 Women in War and Peace (H)
248 Modern Middle East Cities
249 Politics of Economic Development
H249 The Soviet System and Its Demise (H)
254 Bureaucracy and Democracy
257 The State System (H)
259 Comparative Social Movements in Latin American
265 Politics, Markets and Theories of Capitalism (H)
274 Education Politics and Policy
308 Political Transformation in Eastern and Western  Europe: Germany and Its Neighbors
310 Comparative Public Policy
314 Strategic Advocacy: Lobbying & Interest Group  Politics in Washington, D.C. (H)
315 Public Policy Analysis (H)
320 Democracy in America (H)
321 Technology and Politics
325 Grassroots Politics in Philadelphia (H)
333 Transformations in American Politics: late 20th-early  21st century
334 Politics of Violence (H)
339 The Policymaking Process
345 Islam, Democracy and Development (H)
352 Peace Studies in International Politics
354 Comparative Social Movements: Power, Protest, and  Mobilization
375 Perspectives on Work and Family in the U.S.
378 Origins of American Constitutionalism
382 Political Parties, Polarization and Democracy    
393 US Welfare Politics: Theory and Practice                   

Interdependence and Conflict

151 International Politics (H)
205 European Politics: Coming Together or Falling Apart?
206 Conflict & Conflict Management
211 Politics of Humanitarianism
233 Perspectives on Civil War and Revolution: Southern  Europe and Central America (H)
235 Transitional Justice in Post-Conflict Societies
239 The United States and Latin America (H)
240 Inter-American Dialogue (H)
242 Gender and International Organizations
242 Women in War and Peace (H)
247 Political Economy of Developing Countries (H)
249 Politics of Economic Development
248 Modern Middle East Cities
250 International Politics
252 International Politics of the Middle East (H)
253 Introduction to Terrorism Studies (H)
256 The Evolution of the Jihadi Movement (H)
258 The Politics of International Institutions (H)
259 American Foreign Policy (H)
261 Global Civil Society (H)
262 Human Rights and Global Politics (H)
264 Politics of Commodities
265 Politics, Markets and Theories of Capitalism (H)
278 Oil, Politics, Society, and Economy
279 State Transformation/Conflict
283 Middle East Politics
287 Media and Politics: The Middle East Transformed
308 Political Transformation in Eastern and Western  Europe: Germany and Its Neighbors
316 Ethnic Group Politics—Identity and conflict
339 Transitional Justice (H)
347 Advanced Issues in Peace and Conflict
340 Postcolonialism and the Politics of Nation-building  (H)
348 Culture and Ethnic Conflict identity and conflict
350 Topics in International Politics (H)
352 Peace Studies in International Politics
357 International Relations Theory: Conflict and the  Middle East (H)
358 The War on Terrorism (H)
358 Political Psychology and Ethnic Conflict
367 China and the World: Implications of China's Rise
361 Democracy and Global Governance (H)
362 Global Justice (H)
365 Solidarity Economy Movements (H)
378 Origins of American Constitutionalism
379 The United Nations and World Order
382 Political Parties, Polarization and Democracy    
385 Democracy and Development
391 International Political Economy
392 State in Theory and History                    

Political Theory

171 Introduction to Political Theory: Democratic  Authority (H)
228 Introduction to Political Philosophy: Ancient and  Early Modern
231 Introduction to Political Philosophy: Modern
234 Legal Rights in the Administrative State
241 Politics of International law & Institutions
245 Philosophy of Law                                          
253 Feminist Theory
266 Virtue, Friendship, and Democratic Practice
266 Sovereignty (H)
272 Democratic Theory: Membership, Citizenship and  Community (H)
276 American Political Thought from Founding to Civil War  (H)
277 American Political Thought: Post Civil War (H)
304 Community and the Politics of Place
320 Greek Political Philosophy
327 Political Philosophy: 1950-Present
336 Democracy and Democratization (H)
358 Freedom in the Twenty-first Century
361 On The Human Condition: The Political Thinking of Hannah Arendt
370 Becoming a People: Power, Justice, and the Political  (H)
371 Topics in Legal and Political Philosophy
378 Origins of American Constitutionalism
379 Feminist Political Theory (H)
381 Nietzsche

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