Home 2016-2017 Undergraduate College Catalog Undergraduate Programs of Study(Majors, Minors & Requirements) Political Science and Legal Studies

Political Science and Legal Studies

Up one level

Undergraduate Programs of Study(Majors, Minors & Requirements)

In this section

Political Science and Legal Studies Major Requirements

Political Science and Legal Studies Senior Evaluation

Political Science and Legal Studies Honors Program

Legal Studies Program

Criminal Law Program

Political Science Minor

Legal Studies Minor

Criminal Law Minor

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.

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 or in Legal Studies or Criminal Law.

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.

Department Chair

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

Faculty and Staff

PROGRAM CHAIR

Matthew Pauley , J.D., Ph.D, Professor, Matthew.Pauley@mville.edu (914) 323-5195

FULL-TIME FACULTY

Matthew Pauley, J.D., Ph.D, Professor, Matthew.Pauley@@mville.edu

Christopher Sarver , Ph.D, Assistant Professor, Christopher.Sarver@mville.edu

ADJUNCT FACULTY

Robert Ashkinaze

Albert Degatano, Esq.

James C. Hasenfus, Esq.

Daniel Nanjira

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 a major in the department. 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 must successfully complete (with a grade of C or better) a minimum of eleven courses (thirteen if the student is concentrating in Legal Studies or Criminal Law — see the requirements listed below) including:

Four required introductory courses:

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).

Students may choose to take two of the six electives outside the department, subject to approval of the Chair of the Political Science Department. One of the electives may be an Internship, completed for a grade and under faculty supervision. Only one of the six electives may be at the 1000 level.

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 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 must have 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 (Honors I and II) 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 *
Two electives in Legal Studies or Criminal Law
(one of the electives may be from outside the Department)

(* See course descriptions for appropriate courses.)

All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Criminal Law Program

The Criminal Law Program is designed to give students an overview of the American criminal justice 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 criminal 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. 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 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 *
Two electives in Criminal Law or Legal Studies
(One of the electives may be from outside the Department)

(* See course descriptions for appropriate courses.)

All courses must be completed with a grade of C or better.

Political Science Minor

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

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.