The Political Science Undergraduate Handbook

Attention: The following information is for Political Science Majors declared after August 26, 2005. For those declared prior to that date, the old requirements apply.

INTRODUCTION

The undergraduate manual is intended as a guide for political science majors and minors. It contains information on requirements for the major and minor, advising services available to you, suggestions for selecting an overall program of study as well as for choosing specific courses, and an overview of special programs. You can find this information here.

I. ADVISING

It is important that you plan your program with the assistance of an advisor to ensure that you are fully aware of the opportunities open to you and to ensure that you follow a course of study that fits your needs and goals.

One of the most important occasions (though surely not the only one) when you want to talk to an advisor is when you register (or priority register) for a semester. The best way to register is to make tentative selections before you see your advisor and be prepared to explain to the advisor why these courses make the most sense for you. Be sure to have your DARS form handy when you see your advisor. Keep in mind that you are ultimately responsible for your own academic program. Here are some questions you might want to think about before you see your advisor:

  • Do these courses help you make progress toward meeting your degree requirements?
  • Have you taken all the necessary pre-requisites for these courses?
  • Do these courses help prepare you for what you plan to do after graduation?
  • Do some of these courses build on what you have learned before?

SENIORS : Students registering for their senior year must go to Academic Advising for a "pre-graduate review." This process will ensure that you have fulfilled the necessary requirements to graduate.

TRANSFERS : Transfer students are strongly encouraged to see the Chair of Undergraduate Studies in the Political Science department as soon as they receive a statement of how their previous credits transfer to Temple . The department can help students interpret the special requirements that often apply to transfer students as well as help them evaluate how their classes transferred in political science. The sooner you make this appointment, the better off you will be. We can help students with important concerns about their transfer credits.

A faculty advisor in the department is the best place to come for general advising about your program at Temple , but keep in mind that there are a variety of other sources you can turn to for advising of various kinds:

Internship Coordinator: for information on internships and general advising for students in the department. For 2011-2012 - Daniel Chomsky (dchomsky@temple.edu)

Academic Advising Center (http://www.temple.edu/cla/advising/index.html) for information about programs and courses outside the department and College of Liberal Arts or University policy.

Career Services ( http://www.temple.edu/careerdev/ ) - for advising about your plans after graduation.

Pre-Law Advisor (http://www.temple.edu/students/prelawsociety) - for those interested in a legal career, or information about law school.

University Honors and Double Majors: Please be aware that the department may not have a copy of your DARS form. Please bring a copy of your Student DARS with you for advising if you fall into one of those categories.

II. SPECIAL PROGRAMS

  • Honors Programs There are two distinct honors programs for undergraduates. One is the Departmental Honor Program in which Political Science majors are eligible to take particular honors classes and graduate with distinction in the major.  The other is the University Honors Program in which students are also eligible to graduate with distinction in the major but can also pursue the Honors Certificate Program.  For more information visit the here.
  • COOP Program. The Cooperative Education Program at Temple is designed to provide experience in an actual job situation for which the student earns academic credit when their work is done in conjunction with academic supervision. Interested students should see the Coop Coordinator for more information: For 2011-2012 - Daniel Chomsky (dchomsky@temple.edu)

  • Pre-law Curriculum: Political Science is one of the most popular majors for pre-law students. Although law schools neither give preference to any particular choice of major nor require any specific undergraduate courses, they do make some general recommendations about getting a sound Liberal Arts education. Students should visit the CLA website, http://www.temple.edu/students/prelawsociety, for more information.

    First, develop skill in communicating your ideas in both written and spoken form. Courses in composition, literature, speech, and other humanities and social sciences can help you improve these skills, which are essential to success in law school and in the profession of law.

    Second, sharpen your analytical abilities. Take courses that challenge you to think logically. Courses in mathematics, science, computer programming, logic, argumentation, philosophy, literature, other humanities and social sciences should help you develop your powers of critical thinking.

    Third, law schools suggest that you acquire in-depth understanding of at least one social science (in your case Political Science).

    Finally, some knowledge of business structure and terminology may be useful once you are in law school. Accounting and/or economics are therefore useful to some pre law students. Please contact Professor Conrad Weiler (Room 431, Ext. 7746, Email address: weilerc@temple.edu ) for additional assistance. Dr. Weiler has regular advising hours in Sullivan Hall, Academic Advising and Gladfelter Hall.

  • Temple Abroad: Temple provides a number of opportunities for students to study in foreign countries. While this may cost more than a semester at Temple , the opportunities to live in, and meet people from, other cultures, to see different countries, and to learn a foreign language while earning credit towards the degree, can greatly enrich the undergraduate experience. The Office of International Programs: (200 Tuttleman Learning Center, ext. 0720 www.temple.edu/studyabroad/programs/index.html) has information on a variety of programs. Students considering study abroad should contact this office. Informational brochures and student advising for those interested in studying abroad are available at this office. Examples of study abroad locations include Tokyo, Rome, Israel, London, Paris, Germany, Ghana, and Mexico.

  • Political Economy Program: The Department of Political Science and the Department of Economics offer an interdisciplinary program leading to a Certificate in Political Economy. Because the program focuses on the interaction between government and the economy, the program is ideal preparation for students planning careers in either the public or private sector. It also provides an excellent foundation for graduate studies in law, the social sciences, and public administration. The program is open to all matriculated students in the University. Contact Dr. Richard Deeg (1-7123, email rdeeg@temple.edu ) or see here in the online bulletin for specific details and requirements.

III. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

The Political Science Majors Association . The Political Science Majors Association is the organization of all Political Science majors at Temple University . The primary purpose of the Association is to relay the Undergraduate Major's opinions and interests in the Political Science Department and in the College of Liberal Arts . The Association has sponsored various activities for the Undergraduate major including: career forums, lectures, student and faculty mixers, law and graduate forums, seminars on popular topics, and trips to Harrisburg .

Pi Sigma Alpha Pi Sigma Alpha, the national Political Science Honor Society, exists for the purpose of conferring honor on those students who have distinguished themselves in the field of Political Science. Inquiries about membership in Pi Sigma Alpha should be directed to the faculty advisor of Pi Sigma Alpha, Dr. Robin Kolodny, rkolodny@temple.edu tel. 204-7709.

IV. FACULTY

See the faculty homepage.