Information for First Years
Chair: Roxanne Euben
Pendleton East, Room 249
Phone 781-283-2194
Fax 781-283-3644
The study of political science is primarily concerned with questions about power:
What is power? How is power gained and how is it lost? Who has power and who should have it?
How is it organized? How is it used? How is it abused? Students who have majored in political
science have gone on to work in a diverse array of fields, including journalism, the nonprofit sector,
public service, government, law, political organizing, pre-collegiate and graduate education.
The department offers 100-level introductory courses designed to give students an idea of the range of issues,
questions, settings and methods central to the study of politics. Beyond the introductory level, courses in political
science are divided into four subfields: American politics and law, which focuses on political and legal institutions
and processes in the United States; comparative politics, which considers politics in countries other than the U.S.
though it may also look at the U.S. in comparative perspective); international relations, which is concerned with politics
among nations as well as within the global system; and political theory, which involves questions about the nature, value
and purposes of politics as articulated by philosophers and political thinkers past and present.
Students who take the introductory level course in the first semester of the first year are prepared to
take a 200-level course the next semester. A major in political science (which consists of nine courses) is built on a minimum
of one 200-level course in each of the four subfields and 300-level course work in two subfields; one of these 300-level courses
must be a seminar, which usually involves writing a major research paper. Please see information related to
Transfer Credits.
The Department of Political Science also serves as the “hub” for several of the College’s interdisciplinary programs, including
American studies, East Asian studies, South Asia Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, environmental studies, international relations
and Latin American studies. Many political science faculty help to direct these programs and teach courses that count for credit in them.
First-year students who have any questions about specific political science courses or about the major are very welcome to
talk with any faculty member in the department.
What is Political Science?
What are the subfields of Political Science and how are they different?
What are the requirements for a major in Political Science?
Can I minor in Political Science?
Do I have to take 100-level courses in Political Science?
What is the IR/PS major?
How should I choose my major advisor?
I'm a First Year and thinking of majoring in Political Science, but my First Year advisor is not in Political Science. Who should I talk to?
Who should I talk to about study abroad classes that can count toward my major?
I am interested in taking a seminar next semester. How do I apply?
How do I graduate with departmental honors?
I'm interested in doing an honors thesis. When should I start preparing and with whom should I speak about this?
Should I plan to go to law school or graduate school immediately after college?
What should I do to prepare and who should I speak with about law school plans?
What should I do to prepare and who should I speak with about graduate school plans?
How can I find out about internships, jobs, and events related to Political Science?
Do my AP credits count toward my Political Science major?
What is Political Science?
Political Science is the systematic study of politics. It is the academic discipline
that analyzes how power is defined, who does or should have power in society, how
those with power use or ought to use it, how those with less power challenge it,
and the effect of power on people's lives. Political Science courses explore a
wide range of questions regarding the concepts and norms central to the study of
power and politics (e.g., authority, domination, gender, freedom); the structure
and operations of law and institutions (e.g., the U.S. Supreme Court, United Nations,
non-governmental organizations); the historical, sociological and cultural factors
involved in political and economic development; social movements and processes
(e.g. women's movements, immigration); comparative political systems
(e.g., democracy, Communism); political trends and transformations in various regions
(e.g., East Asia, South Asia, Latin America); and analyses of current affairs in the
many realms and contexts in which politics take place.
What are the subfields of Political Science and how are they different?
There are four subfields in Political Science: American Politics (POL1),
Comparative Politics (POL2), International Relations (POL3) and
Political Theory (POL4). You need not declare a specialization,
although it is likely that you will begin to concentrate on one or
two of these subfields as you undertake advanced coursework in the major.
American Politics: is the study of the American political
system. Courses include an introduction to American Politics (POL1 200),
studies of the institutions of American Government (such as Congress,
the Presidency, and the Supreme Court), as well as of political
processes outside of formal government institutions
(e.g. the media, schools, political organizations and interest groups).
Comparative Politics: is the comparative study of countries,
political institutions, cultures and leadership. Courses include an introduction
to Comparative Politics (POL2 202), studies of specific nations or regions
(e.g. China, Cuba, Latin America, Europe and the European Union, East Asia, South Asia, Africa)
as well as the study of such processes as economic and political development,
globalization, democratization and migration.
International Relations: is the study of relations among nation-states,
international organizations, and transnational (cross-border) actors, and processes.
Courses include an introduction to IR (POL3 221: World Politics), as well as studies
of international organizations (such as the United Nations), international economic
development, foreign policy, security, international cooperation, and the causes of war).
Political Theory: is the study of the conceptual underpinnings and
moral bases of politics and is, in many ways, fundamental to all the other three
subfields in Political Science. Courses include investigations of the nature and
functioning of power, democracy, political authority, dissent, violence, etc., as well as
studies of race and politics, feminist theory, Muslim political thought, American political thought,
and the history of Western political theory (classical, modern and contemporary).
What are the requirements for a
major in Political Science?
Every major is required to take nine courses in Political Science. In order to ensure
that Political Science majors familiarize themselves with the substantive concerns and
methodologies employed throughout the discipline, all majors must take one 200-level
or 300-level unit in each of the four subfields offered by the department.
Recommended first courses in the four subfields are:
American Politics and Law: POL1 200
Comparative Politics: POL2 202
International Relations: POL3 221
Political Theory: POL4 201, 241
In addition to the subfield distribution requirement, all majors must do advanced work
(300 levels) in at least two of the four subfields, and a minimum of one of these units
must be a seminar, which normally requires a major research paper (courses fulfilling the
seminar requirement are denoted by an "S" after the course number). Majors are encouraged
to take more than the minimum number of required 300-level courses. The department does not
grant transfer credit at the 300-level for either the major or for College distribution or
degree requirements. This policy applies to 300-level courses taken at any other institution including MIT.
Can I minor in Political Science?
There is no minor in Political Science.
Do I have to take 100-level courses in Political Science?
You are not required to take a 100-level course in Political Science, but
it is strongly encouraged.
What is the IR/PS major?
IR/PS is an interdisciplinary major concerned with understanding global
interactions past and present. The major is designed to expose students
to a wide range of viewpoints and analytical methodologies in their
study of such fields as diplomacy and foreign policy, peace, war and
security, international political economy and development, and human rights.
The international relations major is an interdepartmental major organized into
three tracks: International Relations/Economics, International Relations/History
and International Relations/Political Science. All three tracks of the major share
a set of five common "core" courses.
The majors are administered by their "home" departments, and interested students
should contact the IR-PS faculty advisor for guidance on how to fulfill this major.
Students who elect one of these IR majors may not combine it with a second major in
the same department-e.g. students may not double major in IR-PS and Political Science.
Other double majors are permitted but generally unadvisable.
IR-PS majors consist of 14 units of course work-five core courses plus nine courses
in Political Science. In addition to this course work, all IR students are required to
demonstrate advanced proficiency in a modern language, normally defined as two units of
language study beyond the minimum required by the College. Language courses do not count
towards the minimum 14 courses (see IR-PS on the Political Science website for further details).
How should I choose my major advisor?
You should look for someone who works in an area of Political Science that is of particular
interest to you, a faculty member with whom you have taken a course, or a professor who seems
to match your own sensibilities.
I'm a First Year and thinking of majoring in Political Science, but my First
Year advisor is not in Political Science. Who should I talk to?
First, take a class in Political Science, one that seems interesting to you. Talk
to the professor about your interests, and see what advice he or she gives you.
All professors also have scheduled office hours each week. If there is a professor
offering a course in which you are interested, set up an appointment to meet with
him/her during those times.
I'm planning to study abroad/ away next year. Whom should I talk to about whether particular
courses taken abroad count toward my major?
While the Registrar determines the precise amount of credit assigned to any course not taken at
Wellesley, it is the Department Chair or Chair's designate who determines whether or not a course
you have taken abroad will count toward the major. Professor William Joseph is the Chair's designate
in all such matters for 2009-10. You should plan to consult with your major advisor, Professor Joseph
and the International Studies Office before you go abroad. You will also need to provide the syllabus
and assignments for evaluation once you return from study abroad. All forms and instructions regarding
transfer credit are available in the Registrar's Office.
I am interested in taking a seminar next semester. How do I
apply?
Seminars are advanced classes, open to only 15 students; admission is by
permission of the instructor only. To be admitted to a seminar, you must fill
out a seminar application detailing your preparation for the course, as well as
why you are interested in the topic. Applications are available in the Political
Science office and on the department web site prior to pre-registration for each term.
Professors evaluate your application and announce acceptances before each term. Majors
should begin applying for seminars during their junior year in order to be certain of
fulfilling this requirement.
How do I graduate with departmental honors?
In the Political Science Department, the only route to honors is writing a thesis.
Each honors' student works closely throughout a full academic year with the faculty member(s)
best able to advise her on the topic of her thesis. For qualified and motivated students,
doing honors can be a very rewarding culmination to the Wellesley academic experience.
Honor theses average around 70 pages in length, though this varies considerably depending
on the subject matter.
To be admitted to the thesis program, you must have a major GPA of 3.5, or else convince
the department to petition on your behalf ("convince" means showing mitigating circumstances
or real improvements in the GPA). The deadline for juniors submitting an honors' thesis proposal
is the second Monday in April (see "Honors Thesis" on the Political Science Department website
for more details).
I'm interested in doing an honors thesis.
When should I start preparing and with whom should I speak about this?
First, think about why you are interested in the thesis. "Getting honors" is probably
not enough to sustain you in thesis writing. You should have some idea of a topic you
want to research, and enough course background and intellectual interest in the field
to underpin a year of writing.
There are different ways in which to prepare for the thesis. First, you should make
sure you have the course background to write on the topic. Substantively, you need to
take, if not exhaust, courses in your specific research area. For certain kinds of honors
theses, it is particularly useful to take the Political Science research methods course, POL 199.
Second, talk to a possible advisor, or better yet, a few possible advisors. This will help you
narrow your topic into a manageable thesis, as well as ensure that your thesis is actually tenable.
Finally, attend one of the "so you want to write a thesis" meetings that will be held at various
times throughout the year. This will give you the logistical overview (what's due when) as well as a
forum to prepare and write your proposal. If you can't attend the meeting, contact the general honors'
thesis advisor, Professor Stacie Goddard.
Note: if you're going abroad, you need to start planning early. Have a potential advisor before you go abroad,
and be aware of deadlines.
Should I plan to go to law school or graduate school immediately after college?
There is no penalty for taking a few years off between college and your post-graduate studies;
in fact, it might be to your benefit. If you do decide to work or take time off between college
and post-graduate studies, do make sure you have letters of recommendation on file before you graduate.
These letters can be updated later, but they ensure that you have some references, just in case you
and a professor lose touch. The CWS has a letters of reference service for this purpose.
I am considering going to law school after I graduate. What should I do to prepare and
who should I speak with about law school plans?
Wellesley's pre-law advisor, Liz O'Connell (CWS) is a great source of practical advice for the
law admissions process. Additionally, Nancy Scherer and Tom Burke, the faculty pre-law advisors
in Political Science, are happy to speak with you about your law school plans during office hours
and by appointment.
Law school does not require any particular course of undergraduate study, so you should major
and take courses in whatever you enjoy. You may consider taking law-related courses at Wellesley,
particularly POL1 215: Courts, Law and Politics, or pursuing a law-related internship, not because
it will help you get into law school but simply because it will introduce you to the American legal
system and help you think about whether you want to pursue a career in law. Law schools generally
look at your overall record, and most students are at their best when they study something they
are passionate about.
I am considering going to graduate school for Political Science.
What should I do to prepare and who should I speak with about graduate school plans?
Any of the professors here are qualified to talk about graduate school and the
application process. In general, you should prepare by making sure you have an
understanding of the discipline and academia, and a solid background in your area
of interest. You should be taking as many 300-level courses and seminars as possible
in order to prepare you for independent research.
On the logistical side, you should plan to take the nationally administered GRE tests.
This is a requirement for graduate programs. Acquire relevant letters of recommendation
(by relevant, they should be academic, and at least one should be subfield specific).
Write, and get advice on, your personal statement. These personal statements are not
the same as a college entry statement: they are much more about your proposed program
of study than "who you are" as a person.
How can I find out about internships, jobs, and events related to
Political Science?
The Department announces major events and internships, such as Wellesley-in-Washington.
You may also want to check with individual professors, as well as with the CWS.
Do my AP credits count toward my Political Science major?
No. You may receive College credit, but cannot count this credit towards either
the minimum amount of courses needed for the major, or for the distribution requirement.
Moreover, if you do receive an AP credit for the American Politics or Comparative Politics exam,
you may not take POL1 200: American Politics or POL2 202: Comparative Politics.
Our recommendation? Skip the AP credit and take the courses. The courses are much different
from a high school level course, and more relevant to your study of Political Science.
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