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Gain a broad background in the discipline of political science through courses in the four subfields that comprise it: American politics and law, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. Explore in depth at least two of those subfields through advanced work.
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Develop the capacity to think critically about local, national, and global politics, and bring an informed perspective to understanding and evaluating the consequences of important political developments as they unfold.
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Become an informed and reflective citizen of one’s community and nation, and learn about the global dynamics that influence the shape and content of political life.
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Acquire skills important in political science, including the ability to closely read complex texts; write clear and effective papers, including short essays and substantive research papers; think critically and analytically about empirical evidence and theoretical propositions; generate and test hypotheses; use methodologies appropriate to a particular research question; and take and defend a position against the strongest counterarguments.
Requirements for the Major
This handy chart summarizes the requirements.
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American Politics and Law (POL1)
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Comparative Politics (POL2)
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International Relations (POL3)
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Political Theory (POL4)
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American Politics and Law: POL1 200
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Comparative Politics: POL2 202, POL2 204
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International Relations: POL3 221
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Political Theory: POL4 201, POL4 216
A minimum of five units for the major must be taken at Wellesley, as must the courses that are used to fulfill at least two of the four subfield distributions and the seminar requirement.
The department does not grant transfer credit at the 300-level for either the major or for college degree requirements. This policy applies to courses taken at MIT.
Normally, to be counted toward the major, a course taken elsewhere should be taught by a political scientist or in department of political science or its equivalent.
Courses in the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) in Political Science at MIT can count towards the Political Science major at Wellesley if the student writes a substantive research paper as part of their UROP work and that paper is evaluated by the UROP supervisor as part of the final grade. The supervisor must inform the Political Science Transfer Credit Advisor at Wellesley by email that the paper has been evaluated.
For the purpose of meeting a subfield distribution requirement in the major, a student may count a course taken elsewhere provided that it transfers as at least .75 Wellesley units.
For information about how to submit a transfer credit request, see the registrar's Transfer of Credit Guidelines.