Catalog

Political Science

Dr. Ali Ferdowsi, Chair, (650) 508-3610, aferdowsi@ndnu.edu

The Department of History and Political Science offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. The program provides an understanding of important political ideas and ideologies as well as the workings of basic political processes and institutions. We challenge our students to understand how decisions made in the past continue to shape society and political discourse, and to appreciate their own agency in shaping a better world. Completing a major in Political Science is excellent preparation for graduate study and for careers in law, politics, journalism, business, public administration, social work, nongovernmental advocacy organizations, and education.

The Pre-Law Minor at Notre Dame de Namur University is an interdisciplinary program. For more information, click: Pre-Law Minor.

Bachelor of Arts: Political Science

In addition to major requirements, students must meet Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements.
Prerequisites Units
HST1000 World History I 3
HST1010 World History II 3
Total Prerequisites 6
Major Requirements Units
HST2110 History of Political and Social Thought 3
PSC1000 Introduction to American Government 3
PSC1100 Introduction to Comparative Governments 3
PSC2110 International Relations 3
PSC2300 State and Local Government 3
PSC2310 Parties, Politics, and Campaigning 3
PSC2400 Methods and Methodology 3
PSC2400L Statistical Software in Behavioral Science Research 1
PSC2880 Capstone: Versions of Utopia 3
Upper-division Electives in Political Science 6

Total Major Requirements

31
Other Degree Requirements* and General Electives

* Other degree requirements include Core Curriculum Requirements and General Degree Requirements (e.g., Career Development, U.S. History).		 87
Total Unit Requirement 124

Because of the large number of elective units available, the department usually recommends a double major.

Minor Requirements: Political Science

Required Courses Units
HST1000/1010 World History I 3
HST1010 World History II 3
PSC1000 Introduction to American Government 3
PSC1100 Introduction to Comparative Governments 3
Upper-division units in Political Science, approved by Department Chair 9

 

Courses closely related to Political Science but offered in other departments include:

  • HST2110 History of Political and Social Thought
  • HST2120 Modern Western Thought
  • HST2220 Nazi Germany
  • HST2230 Europe since World War II
  • HST2300 American History, 1607-1877
  • HST2310 American History, 1877-Present
  • HST2330 History and Politics of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States
  • HST2340 America's Ethnic History
  • HST2400 Novels as History
  • HST2410 Modern Times
  • HST2420 History and Politics in Film
HST Course Descriptions