Mission
The mission of the department is to provide students with both a substantive knowledge of politics and the skills necessary to make effective use of that knowledge, not only as private citizens participating in a democracy, but also in a wide range of careers. The department has implemented a program of assessment to measure the achievement of these objectives. Students in the department are exposed to both the theory and practice of politics.
The department covers a broad range of substantive specializations, encompassing Egyptian politics, comparative politics, constitutional law, international relations, and political theory. The combination of substantive knowledge and practical skills instilled by courses in the department provide a solid background to help our students excel as leaders in a variety of fields, including in politics, government service and in the legal profession. We encourage our students to think broadly, critically, and internationally about the core features of democratic and global citizenship. We do this with a faculty that includes high quality instructors, building on a legacy of famously gifted professors.
Goals
Students majoring in political science will develop practical and marketable skills which will help them to apply that knowledge to any number of career paths. These skills include:
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Critical thinking: the ability to read and evaluate primary texts, ideas, theories, and political analysis
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Analysis and research: the ability to pose and answer questions effectively
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Argumentation and persuasion: The ability to use logic and evidence to build a persuasive argument.
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Written and verbal communication: the ability to communicate ideas clearly on paper or through oral presentations
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Working in groups: the ability to effectively coordinate with others in a project
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Practical applications: the ability to absorb information gained through coursework and use it effectively in real life or simulated situations.
