B.A./ B.S. in Political science

Political Science is the study of how societies govern themselves and interact with one another. Courses of instruction in the Department of Political Science are offered in the following subfields: American politics, comparative government, international relations, political philosophy, public law, and public administration. Areas of focus include analysis of government structures and processes, citizens' influence on government, policy content, philosophical concepts and traditions, political systems of other nations, and resolution of conflicts between nations. Our goals are to help students better understand political processes, and to develop the critical thinking and analytic skills necessary for: effective participation in the political process, successful careers in the public and private sectors, and further study in law, political science, and public administration. In 1925, the state legislature passed a law requiring the study of the U.S. and Wyoming Constitutions by all University of Wyoming students. Political Science 1000 satisfies this requirement, but the requirement can also be satisfied by special examination given periodically by the Department of Political Science. Learning Outcomes We continuously and actively assess the Political Science undergraduate curriculum to ensure that the following learning outcomes are being met for each of our graduates: Acquire a knowledge and understanding of the values, beliefs, and institutions that constitute governing processes; Acquire an understanding of the distinctions among the major subfields of the discipline including: American politics and law, international relations, comparative politics, and political theory; Develop a knowledge and understanding of citizens' roles withing governing processes; Acquire a knowledge of the theories and analytic skills necessary to evaluate conflicting arguments, assemble and present appropriate evidence, and make reasoned conclusions from the evidence available; Communicate effectively, both orally and in written form.