UB Undergraduate Catalog 2006-2007

Department of Political Science

College of Arts and Sciences
520 Park Hall
North Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-4120

Phone: 716.645.2251
Fax: 716.645.2166
Web: www.polsci.buffalo.edu

Franco Mattei
Chair

About the Program

In political science, students have a wide variety of backgrounds, interests, and career aspirations. As our range of possible concentrations in the department suggests, students interested in law school, public affairs, government service, graduate school, or international studies obtain a solid background with the courses offered. Of course, the core or basic concentration allows students the most flexibility in designing a curriculum to meet individual needs. Many political science majors go on to obtain advanced degrees in law or political science. Some students build upon their internship experiences to pursue careers in politics or government.

Degree Options

General Concentration. For those majors with general interests in politics and government. This program allows majors the most flexibility in choosing courses to match individual interests from the five fields of American politics, comparative politics, international relations, methods of inquiry, and political philosophy. The intent behind the core requirements is to give every student the breadth to understand political issues, theories, and concepts, along with the needed skills for interpreting and doing political research.

Public Law Concentration. Specifically for students who plan to attend law school. Students who complete the core concentration in political science are not precluded from applying to law school; however, the public law concentration represents the department�s best collective recommendations for a structured undergraduate plan.

American Politics and Public Affairs Concentration. Prepares students for careers in public service or political organizations, and provides a solid background for the more than 15 million employment opportunities in local, state, or federal government. An internship is considered a useful part of this option.

International Politics Concentration. Students planning careers in the international field are encouraged to pursue this concentration.

Comparative Politics Concentration. Students planning careers in the comparative field are encouraged to pursue this concentration.

Advanced Concentration. Students with excellent undergraduate records are likely to be successful applicants to graduate school; however, the department recommends this particular concentration to provide the best preparation for the top graduate programs in political science. A foundation in the areas of research design, mathematics, formal modeling, and statistics make the transition to a graduate program much easier. In addition, upper division courses that enable students to execute independent research projects and write research essays are highly recommended.

Double majors must satisfy all of the requirements of two departments.

Joint majors combine the programs in two departments, subject to the specific requirements in each. A student pursuing political science as a joint major is restricted to the core concentration, and must complete eight courses in political science, including PSC 100, PSC 101, one methods of inquiry course, four courses at the 300-level or above (three must be courses other than PSC 400, PSC 404, PSC 410, PSC 411, PSC 491, or PSC 499), and at least one course in comparative politics, international relations, or political philosophy.

Minors in political science must complete the three required courses, PSC 100, PSC 101, and PSC 200 or PSC 393 or PSC 408; three upper-division courses, one of which must be in international relations, comparative politics, or political philosophy; and one additional political science course in any field or at any level.

Acceptance Information

Students should apply for admission to the major in political science no later than the beginning of their junior year. To become eligible, students must have completed two political science courses with a minimum GPA of 2.0, and have a minimum UB GPA of 2.0. Applicants should bring a copy of their current UB DARS report directly to the Department of Political Science. Prospective majors are encouraged to complete the department�s required courses: PSC 100 during their first semester, and PSC 101 as well as PSC 200 or PSC 393 or PSC 408 during their second semester.

Advisement

After acceptance into the major or minor, students may consult with a departmental advisor for assistance in understanding departmental and university requirements for the degree. Advisor office hours are posted at the department office, 520 Park Hall.

Academic Requirements

Please note that a minimum GPA of 2.0 in both the major and overall is required for graduation.

Transfer Policy

Credit for political science courses completed with a passing grade at other colleges or universities may be granted in instances where comparable courses exist within the department at UB. The department gives transfer credit for a maximum of five political science courses. Where applicable, transfer courses may be used to meet specific departmental requirements.

Honors, Awards, and Scholarships

The honors program is intended for highly qualified political science students who wish to pursue a major research interest. It offers exceptional students an opportunity to design and execute an independent research project under the direction of a faculty mentor. It is particularly valuable for students who intend to pursue graduate work in political science.

Students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 in political science (or 3.25 and at least one mention as an �outstanding student� in political science) may be qualified for admission into the honors program in the second semester of the junior year. In the fall semester of the senior year, honor students normally enroll in a graduate seminar. During the spring semester, honors students prepare an independent research thesis that may build on work done in the graduate seminar.

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research and Practical Experience

The department sponsors three internship programs: (1) the Washington Semester Program, administered through SUNY/ Brockport; (2) New York State Assembly and Senate internships; and (3) community internships.

Students are invited to approach faculty members to explore mutual research interests.

Notable Program Features

Political Science Undergraduate Student Association. The Political Science Club has been very active in recent years, sponsoring guest speakers, planning trips for undergraduates, arranging regular coffee hours and lunches with faculty, organizing social and sporting events involving faculty members, and participating in such programs as the Harvard Model United Nations. Students are strongly urged to join and participate in the club. Information about club activities is posted on the bulletin board outside 520 Park Hall.

Model European Union Simulation. Each year since 1993, the Department of Political Science has sent a delegation to participate in a simulation of decision making in the European Union. To facilitate this, UB is a member of a consortium of New York State and European universities. Approximately 150 American students and 100 European students participate in these three- to four-day meetings, which are held either at the University at Buffalo, SUNY/Brockport, or in Luxembourg. Professor D. Munroe Eagles is the faculty advisor for this simulation; interested students are encouraged to contact him.