Political Science: 7-12 Teacher Preparation Concentration, Bachelor of Science
The major in political science leads to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Science (BS). The political science curriculum focuses heavily on the development of analytical and communication skills – along with comprehensive knowledge of public policy, politics, current events, and history – and as such prepares undergraduates for a wide range of in the private, public, and non-profit sectors. Courses in political science also serve to complement the liberal arts core at CSU Pueblo and to prepare students for acceptance into graduate programs leading to professional degree Programs.
Program Goals
To prepare students majoring in the discipline to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of historical, philosophical and empirical foundations of political science;
- Demonstrate a general command of knowledge about the American political system, global studies, the history of political thought, and standard political science research approaches; and
- Demonstrate an ability to continue personal study and learning on an independent basis about specific subjects in the discipline.
To prepare students minoring in the discipline to:
- Demonstrate a basic understanding of the nature of the discipline, and
- Demonstrate a general knowledge and understanding of the American political system and of global studies.
Student Learning Outcomes for the Political Science Program
Knowledge Outcome
KO1) Students should have factual knowledge of many aspects of politics and government that are central objects of study in each of the subfields in political science (American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory).
(KO2) Students should be able to explain core debates (or scholarly theories and perspectives) in the subfields of political science.
Writing Outcome
(WO1) Students should be able to write papers on topics in political science that (a) exhibit clear prose and correct grammar and (b) present a central argument in a clear and coherent structure or fashion.
Critical Thinking Outcome
(CTO1) Students should be able to identify and critique the assumptions, logic, and evidence in both scholarly and lay political arguments.
(CTO2) Students should be able to use empirical observations and analytical reasoning to articulate and defend compelling, non-fallacious arguments.
Outcomes Assessment Activities for the Political Science Program
The faculty of the Political Science program use a variety of methods for evaluating the student learning outcomes. These include an assessment of each student learning outcome in the political science senior seminar and a completed student exit survey in the senior seminar.
Specific Program Requirements
Students who major in Political Science must complete a minimum of 39 semester credit hours in political science. They must earn a grade of C or better in each of those courses.
The Secondary Education concentration prepares students for teaching at the middle and high school level. Students must complete the Core Requirements for the Political Science major, the Social Science courses required for Certification, and all requirements of the Teacher Education minor and the Teacher Education Program.
Program Overview
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Category | ||
| General Education The full General Education curriculum is 35 credits, but some of those credits will be fulfilled by Political Science and Other Social Science Requirements. This table lists the additional General Education requirements that are not covered by major and concentration area requirements. | 26 | |
| Political Science Core Requirements | 39 | |
| Other Social Science Requirements | 24 | |
| Secondary & K-12 Education/Minor | 37 | |
| Total Credits | 126 | |
Specific Core Requirements
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 21 | |
| American Government (GT-SS1) | 3 | |
| International Relations (GT-SS1) | 3 | |
| Comparative Politics | 3 | |
| Political Analysis & Methods I | 3 | |
| Political Analysis & Methods II | 3 | |
| Western Political Thought | 3 | |
| Seminar | 3 | |
| American Politics | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Public Policy | 3 | |
| Political Attitudes & Behavior | 3 | |
| Media, Politics, & Power | 3 | |
| Congress & the Presidency | 3 | |
| International Relations | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| International Conflict | 3 | |
| Peace Studies | 3 | |
| War & Film | 3 | |
| U.S. Foreign & Security Policy | 3 | |
| Comparative Politics | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Nationalism & Ethnic Conflict | 3 | |
| Economic Development | 3 | |
| Democracy & Dictatorship | 3 | |
| Elective Courses You may take any lower or upper division Political Science courses that were not taken to meet the above requirements. | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
Social Science Courses Required for Certification
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ECON 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| GEOG 101 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| GEOG 103 | World Regional Geography (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| HIST 110 | World History to 1500 (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| HIST 111 | World History since 1500 (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| HIST 201 | U.S. History I (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| HIST 202 | U.S. History II (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| POLS 102 | State & Local Government | 3 |
| Total Credits | 24 | |
Specific Requirements for the Secondary and K-12 Teaching Endorsements/Minor
The student must complete an appropriate major and the following Education courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSYC 151 | Human Development (GT-SS3) 1 | 3 |
| or PSYC 251 | Childhood and Adolescence | |
| or PSYC 342 | Educational Psychology | |
| ED 202 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED 280 | Educational Media and Technology 2 | 3 |
| ED 301 | Frameworks of Teaching (Admission to Education is completed in this course) | 4 |
| Linguistics for Educators 3 | 3 | |
| RDG 435 | Disciplinary Literacy 3, 5 | 4 |
| Special Methods in Education Areas (Prerequisites - Admission to Education) 5, 6 | 4 | |
| ED 412 | Teaching Diverse Learners 4, 5 | 3 |
| ED 485 | Capstone Seminar in Education | 1 |
| ED 488 | Student Teaching Secondary | 12 |
| or ED 489 | Student Teaching K-12 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
- 1
Music students may take PSYC 151 Human Development (GT-SS3) (3 c.h.) or PSYC 251 Childhood and Adolescence (3 c.h.).
- 2
Music Education students may complete MUS 103 Music and Computer Technology I (1 c.h.) and MUS 306 Technology for Music Educators (2 c.h.) for ED 280 Educational Media and Technology (3 c.h.).
- 3
English/Language Arts student must also complete RDG 355 Linguistics for Educators (3 c.h.)
- 4
Physical Education students may complete EPER 465 Adapted Physical Education (3 c.h.) or ED 412 Teaching Diverse Learners (3 c.h.).
- 5
GPA of 2.6 required
- 6
English/Language Arts student must also complete ED 447 Teaching English in Secondary Schools (4 c.h.)
Planning Sheet
Disclaimer: The Planning Sheet is designed as a guide for student's planning their course selections. The information on this page provides only a suggested schedule. Actual course selections should be made with the advice and consent of an academic advisor. While accurately portraying the information contained in the college catalog, this form is not considered a legal substitute for that document. Students should become familiar with the catalog in effect at the time in which they entered the institution.
Note: Students completing a major with an emphasis in Secondary Education are required to complete a minor in Education and to meet all other requirements outlined by the Teacher Education Program.
*CID 103 is required for admission into the Teacher Education Program.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | ||
| Fall | ||
| POLS 101 | American Government (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| General Education | 3 | |
| ENG 101 | Rhetoric & Writing I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| CID 103 | Speaking & Listening | 3 |
| GEOG 103 | World Regional Geography (GT-SS2) | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENG 102 | Rhetoric & Writing II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| HIST 110 | World History to 1500 (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| General Education | 6 | |
| Elective Must be one of the following: PSYCH 151, 251, or 342. | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ED 202 | Foundations of Education | 3 |
| ED 280 | Educational Media and Technology | 3 |
| HIST 111 | World History since 1500 (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| POLS 201 | International Relations (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| General Education | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ECON 201 | Principles of Macroeconomics (GT-SS1) | 3 |
| GEOG 101 | Physical Geography | 3 |
| HIST 201 | U.S. History I (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| POLS 250 | Political Analysis & Methods I | 3 |
| General Education | 4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ED 301 | Frameworks of Teaching | 4 |
| HIST 202 | U.S. History II (GT-HI1) | 3 |
| POLS 370 | Western Political Thought | 3 |
| Elective 3 credits must be upper division Political Science course. | 6 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| POLS 202 | Comparative Politics | 3 |
| POLS 493 | Seminar | 1-3 |
| RDG 435 | Disciplinary Literacy | 4 |
| Elective 3 credits must be upper division Political Science course. | 6 | |
| Credits | 14-16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ED 412 | Teaching Diverse Learners | 3 |
| ED 451 | Teaching Secondary Social Studies | 4 |
| Elective Must be upper division Political Science course. | 6 | |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| ED 485 | Capstone Seminar in Education | 1 |
| ED 488 | Student Teaching Secondary | 12 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Total Credits | 118-120 | |