OUR PROGRAMS

At Shorter University students can choose between pursuing either the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in History and Political Science. The choice depends primarily on whether the student is more interested in taking additional courses in the sciences--chemistry, physics and biology--or languages--Spanish, French, German or Chinese. Given the increasingly global nature of the modern world, the department believes that the study of languages is important to the ability to understand and succeed.

Furthermore, students contemplating proceeding to graduate school would be well advised to pursue the B.A. degree. Students majoring in History and Political Science, regardless of whether they are pursuing the B.A. or the B.S. degree are required to take History 2310, An Introduction to Historical Methods, complete an internship of at least 110 hours (or student teaching), write a senior thesis and pass a senior exit exam.

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political science is one of the social sciences (concerned with the political behavior of humans). Political science (all social sciences) today often does engage in empirical quantifiable studies—but also much political science research focuses upon the study of complex human political behavior that can only be assessed in a qualitative manner (of a nuanced, detailed, and contextual nature).

The field’s objective is to study human political behavior, looking for patterns and regularities in behavior. In its attempt to assess political behavior, political science has the same objectives as any field of science—namely, to describe (what), explain (why), and predict.

There are numerous subfields in political science. They include the following:

American Politics includes subfields that study:

What you may gain from being a History and Political Science major:

• Research and writing skills
• Confidence in Public Speaking
• Leadership experience through Eta Pi Sigma
• Contacts for your future through student teaching or internships

Helpful Information

Senior History Award

Download these helpful documents:

Student Handbook

B.A. Major Requirements

B.S. Major Requirements

Paper Standards

Writing Tips

Senior Thesis