Political Science – Major/Minor
For information, contact Dr. Kim Spiezio.
The major in Political Science is designed to prepare students for successful
careers in law, education and public policy. Substantively, the program will
immerse you in the key political, economic, legal, and global issues facing
contemporary American society—while also helping you to develop the critical thinking, problem-solving and
communications skills which increasingly are in demand in an era of
globalization. In short, majoring in Political Science will help to prepare you
for a wide variety of career opportunities in both the public and private
sectors of the new global economy.
To better serve the interests of students, the Political Science program
features two distinctive concentrations.
The Law and Public Policy concentration is explicitly designed for students who
plan on pursuing careers in the fields of law and public policy. This
concentration adheres to the American Bar Association’s recommendations on undergraduate education by offering students a
multidisciplinary program of study that will expose you to a diverse array of
academic perspectives, including economics, history, philosophy, politics, and
international affairs. Students who are planning to go to law school are
strongly encouraged to participate in the college’s Pre-law Advising program which provides individualized assistance in regard to
all phases of the law school admissions process.
The Social Studies Certification Concentration is explicitly designed for
Secondary Education co-majors who are seeking certification to teach history,
government, economics and geography in grades 7-12.Upon completion of the
Social Studies concentration, students will have satisfied Pennsylvania
Department of Education content area requirements for purposes of certification
in the area of Social Studies. You also will be prepared for the Praxis exam in
Social Studies.
Regardless of the concentration you select, majors are required to earn a grade
of “C” or better in each course comprising the Political Science program. To apply
transfer credits toward the completion of major requirements, you must have
earned a grade of “C” or better in each course to be transferred. Also please note that courses
completed more than ten years ago will not be accepted for purposes of
completing the requirements for the major in Political Science.
Given our emphasis on education, law and public policy issues, you will be
strongly encouraged to supplement your coursework with community-based field
experiences and internships – either locally through government and nonprofit agencies in the Lehigh Valley
or in conjunction with the Washington Semester program sponsored by the
American University in Washington D.C. Students also are eligible to
participate in the Public Leadership Education Network – an association of professional women dedicated to promoting career and
internship opportunities for women in the fields of law and public policy.
The Political Science program also offers students an opportunity to participate
in a number of other extracurricular activities including Mock Trial, state and
local election campaigns, pre-law forums, workshops dedicated to the law school
admissions process, and student clubs such as the Political Society and Legal
Society.
Further information about the program may be obtained from Dr. Kim Spiezio who
serves as the Chair of the Department of History, Law and Politics as well as
Director of the College’s Pre-Law Program. He can be reached via e-mail at kspiezio@cedarcrest.edu or by
phone at 610-606-4666, ext. 3414.
Requirements for the Major - Law and Public Policy Concentration– 42 Credits
PSC 202 Law and Justice 3 credits
PSC 208 Law and Women’s Rights 3 credits
PSC 210 American Public Policy 3 credits
PSC 231 American Foreign Policy 3 credits
PSC 251 Modern Political Thought 3 credits
PSC 300 Law and Public Policy 3 credits
Plus Choose Four from the Following:
ECO102 Principles of Economics: Micro 3 credits
ECO201 Government, Business & Society 3 credits
HIS 210 Liberal Democracy &Capitalism 3 credits
HIS 224 America as a World Power 3 credits
HIS 232 African-American Freedom Struggle 3 credits
PSC 218 Criminal Procedure &the Bill of Rights 3 credits
Plus Choose Three from the Following:
ECO101 Principles of Economics: Macro 3 credits
ECO222 Economic Geography 3 credits
HIS 211 Twentieth Century Dictatorships 3 credits
HIS 250 Germany & the Path to the European Union 3 credits
HIS 275 Nationalism &Fundamentalism 3 credits
PSC 211 Globalization &International Law 3 credits
Requirements for the Major – Social Studies Concentration – 37 credits
BIO111 The Human Agenda: Environment 4 credits
ECO101 Principles of Economics: Macro 3 credits
ECO102 Principles of Economics: Micro 3 credits
ECO222 Economic Geography 3 credits
HIS 107 European Civilization I 3 credits
HIS 108 European Civilization II 3 credits
HIS 121 U.S. History to 1877 3 credits
HIS 122 U.S. History since 1877 3 credits
PSC 210 American Public Policy 3 credits
PSC 231 American Foreign Policy 3 credits
PSC 251 Modern Political Thought 3 credits
PSC 300 Law and Education 3 credits
Requirements for the Minor – 18 Credits
PSC 202 Law and Justice 3 credits
PSC 208 Law and Women’s Rights 3 credits
PSC 210 American Public Policy 3 credits
PSC 231 American Foreign Policy 3 credits
PSC 251 Modern Political Thought 3 credits
PSC 300 Law and Public Policy 3 credits