Manhattanville College

Academic Catalog

Political Science and Legal Studies

Introduction

In antiquity, the Greeks referred to the study of politics as a "kingly art" because it was concerned with the ways of good government. 

While the study of political institutions remains a central focus of political science, the scope of the discipline has broadened substantially as more people are affected by centralized political authorities that wield increased power in a global economy.  Political Science includes the study of values, ideologies, and legal norms, the mechanisms people use to enter the political process, whether with guns or ballots, and the consequences of a global economy which enriches some while impoverishing many.

Because of its comprehensive nature, Political Science offers a solid undergraduate major for careers in law, public administration, business, journalism and teaching.

Students can also gain an overview of the American legal system by choosing to minor or have a concentration in Legal Studies or by choosing to minor or have a concentration in Criminal Law. 

Degree

Bachelor of Arts. Students can also choose a concentration in Legal Studies or Criminal Law.

Optional Minors

Students can minor in Political Science


Career Ideas

Administrative Law Judge, Arbitrator, Attorney, City Planning Aide, Criminologist, Emergency Management Specialist, Government Analyst, Intelligence Specialist, Judge, Lobbyist, Professor of Political Science or Law, Social & Community Service Manager, Teacher.


Program Administrator

Matthew Pauley, Matthew.Pauley@mville.edu (914) 323-5195

Faculty and Staff

PROGRAM CHAIR

Matthew Pauley , J.D., Ph.D

FULL-TIME FACULTY

Matthew Pauley, J.D., Ph.D

Christopher Sarver , Ph.D

Kwan Ha Yim (emeritus)

 

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Robert Ashkinaze

Albert Degatano, Esq.

James C. Hasenfus, Esq.

Judge Peter Passidomo

Overview

Political Science majors acquire an understanding of the historical backgrounds and philosophical foundations of a variety of political systems in the contemporary world.  They develop an ability to analyze events, issues, and global trends.  In addition, they are afforded an opportunity to gain practical experiences through both individualized field research and internships in the government, not for profit, or private sector.

Students can also choose Legal Studies or Criminal Law as a minor, if not a Political Science major, or as a concentration if they are. In the legal studies and criminal law programs, they receive a background in the American legal and criminal justice system.

Political Science and Legal Studies Major Requirements

A student majoring in Political Science and Legal Studies must successfully complete (with a grade of C or better) a minimum of twelve courses (fourteen if the student is concentrating in Legal Studies or Criminal Law — see the requirements listed below) including:

Five required introductory courses:

  • Introduction to Political Science
  • Introduction to American Government
  • International Politics I or II
  • Comparative Politics I or II
  • Introduction to Political Thought

Six electives (or eight required courses if the student chooses the Legal Studies or Criminal Law concentrations — see the requirements listed under these concentrations). Four of these electives must be taken in one of the following fields of study and the other two courses must be taken in either of the remaining two fields:

  • American Government/Public Policy
  • International/Comparative Politics
  • Legal Studies/Political Thought

Students may choose to take one of the six electives outside the department, subject to approval by their department advisor prior to registering for this course.

Senior Evaluation or Senior Honors Thesis (and Seminar)

Political Science and Legal Studies Senior Evaluation

There are two options for completing the Senior Evaluation, required of all Political Science majors:

  • To be accepted into and take the Political Science Honors Seminar (or approved equivalent), which requires a G.P.A. of 3.5 or above in the major, and write a senior honors thesis in the seminar or
  • To enroll in and complete POS 3998 (Senior Evaluation) or complete the senior evaluation by writing a research paper in a 3000-level Political Science Seminar during the Senior year.

Political Science and Legal Studies Honors Program

Graduation with Honors in Political Science requires that a student complete the Honors Program. Students are invited to join the program at the end of their junior year and, to be eligible, they should have taken at least three of the courses required for the major and maintained a 3.5 grade point average in all the courses taken for the major. Students who enter the Honors Program complete both the Honors seminar (or approved equivalent) and a senior thesis. To receive departmental honors at graduation, it is necessary to earn at least a B+ on the thesis and to have an overall average of 3.5 in all courses taken for the major.

Legal Studies Program

The Legal Studies Program is designed to give students an overview of the American legal system, to help them understand the fundamentals of public and private law, and to acquaint them with the historical and philosophical roots of contemporary American law.

Students in this program learn to read challenging legal material, including cases and statutes, as well as works of legal history and philosophy. They also learn how to write briefs, analyze complex legal arguments, and write effective essays in legal studies. The courses have in-class oral arguments and mock trials in which students have a chance to simulate the roles of judges, witnesses, and attorneys in the daily practice of law.

Students majoring in Political Science may select Legal Studies as a concentration. They must complete the eight courses listed below for the concentration, in addition to the five required Political Science courses and Senior Evaluation for a total of fourteen courses. The program is open, as a minor, to students majoring in other departments. They must complete the same eight courses required for the concentration.

Requirements for Legal Studies Concentration

  • Introduction to Common Law
  • Constitutional Law
  • Civil Liberties
  • Criminal Law or Criminal Procedure
  • One course on Business Law *
  • One seminar on Perspective on Law *
  • One Political Science elective in the fields of Criminal Law or Legal Studies plus
  • One Political Science elective outside the fields of Criminal Law or Legal Studies

(* See course descriptions for appropriate courses.)

Criminal Law Program

Students majoring in Political Science may elect Criminal Law as a concentration. They must complete the eight courses listed below for the concentration, in addition to the five required Political Science courses and Senior Evaluation for a total of fourteen courses. The program is also open, as a minor, to students majoring in other departments. They must complete the same eight courses required for the concentration.

Requirements for Criminal Law Concentration

  • Introduction to Common Law
  • Criminal Law
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Constitutional Law or Civil Liberties
  • One course on Business Law *
  • One seminar on Perspective on Law *
  • One Political Science elective in the fields of Criminal Law or Legal Studies plus
  • One Political Science elective outside the fields of Criminal Law or Legal Studies

(* See course descriptions for appropriate courses.)

Political Science Minor

Students must complete five courses for a minor in Political science. Two must be selected from among the five Departmental introductory courses required of all majors. The remaining three are electives chosen by the student from Departmental offerings.

Legal Studies Minor

Students must complete the same eight courses required for a concentration in this field. (See Legal Studies concentration) All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Criminal Law Minor

Students must complete the same eight courses required for a concentration in this field. (See Criminal Law concentration) All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Catalog Contents

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2014-2015 Undergraduate College Catalog

Manhattanville College Mission

Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Policy

Brief History of Manhattanville: History and Educational Commitment

Letter to Parents

Inventory of Undergraduate Programs

Inventory of Graduate Programs

Graduate Programs List

Undergraduate Programs of Study(Majors, Minors & Requirements)

Full-Time Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Undergraduate Programs

Graduation Participation Requirements

Registration Requirements & Online Student Resources

Official & Unofficial Transcripts

Types of Courses

Transfer Credit Policy

Grading and Grading Policies

Honors Options

Bachelor Degrees in Accelerated Format

Pre-Professional Studies

Off-Campus Study

English Language Institute (ELI)

Educational Support

Library Information Services

Facilities and Resources

Dual Degree Programs

School of Business, Master of Fine Arts in Writing & Master of Liberal Arts Programs

School of Education Graduate Programs

Course Offerings

African Studies Courses

American Studies Courses

Anthropology Courses

Art History Courses

Art (studio) Courses

Asian Studies Courses (WLL Lang Courses)

Biology Courses

Chemistry Courses

Communication & Media Courses

Castle Scholars Courses

Classic Civilizations Courses (WLL)

Dance & Theatre Courses

Accounting/Economics/Finance/Management/Marketing Courses

Education Courses

Education Courses

English Composition Courses

English Education Courses

Health & Wellness Education Courses

English Courses

English Film Studies Courses

English Writing Courses

French Courses (WLL)

First Year Program Courses

German Courses (WLL)

History Courses

Holocaust Studies Courses

Organizational Management & Human Resource Development (Graduate Program) Courses

Interdisciplinary Studies Courses

International Studies Courses

Irish Studies Courses

Italian Courses (WLL)

Library Skills Courses

Business Leadership (Graduate Program) Courses

Computer Science Courses

Mathematics Education Courses

Mathematics Courses

Finance (Graduate Program) Courses

MGPS Master of Science Courses (Graduate Program)

Physical Education & Sports Pedagogy (Graduate Program) Courses

Physical Education Courses (Undergraduate)

Sport Business Management (Graduate Program) Courses

International Management (Graduate Program) Courses

Marketing Communication Management (Graduate Program) Courses

Museum Studies Courses

Applied Music Courses

Music Technology Courses

Music Education Courses

Music History & Literature Courses

Music Management Courses

Music Theory Courses

Philosophy Courses

Physics Courses

Political Science & Legal Studies Courses

Psychology Courses

Science Education Courses

Sociology Courses

Spanish Courses

Social Studies Education Courses

World Religions Courses

Women's Studies Courses

Admissions

Athletics

Student Affairs

Tuition and Fees

Financial Assistance

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Faculty and Staff

Index