Political Science

www.linnbenton.edu/political-science

The Associate of Science in Political Science is for students interested in completing a bachelor’s degree at Oregon State University in Political Science. Students interested in this major are strongly encouraged to enroll in the Degree Partnership Program (DPP) as there may be lower division courses required by their chosen discipline that are only offered at Oregon State University. Students interested in the general transfer degree, the AA(OT) should follow the guidelines for this degree of this catalog. If you know the college/university you will be attending, you should work with an advisor from that school to be sure you are taking appropriate courses at LBCC.

Political scientists study the history, development, and the functioning of political systems. Students pursuing a degree in political science will study, for example: how to understand and predict voter behavior; how political systems influence the economy, society, and culture of a place; and how the media and politicians shape public opinion. Because there is a large emphasis placed on learning how to evaluate evidence, form theories, and think and write critically, political science students are well prepared for a variety of occupations. Depending on the area of political science studied while in school and whether or not a student pursues post-graduate education, career opportunities for students majoring in Political Science currently include jobs such as lawyers, legislative staffers, policy analysts, journalists, teachers, business executives and university professors. Many students go on to advance study in fields such as law, diplomacy, public policy and public administration.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete an Associate of Science degree in Political Science will:

• Articulate the interplay between social or natural forces and individuals.
• Apply analytical skills to social or natural phenomena to explain, evaluate, or predict human behavior.
• Understand and respect cultural differences by: articulating an understanding of the historical basis of cultural ideas, behavior, or issues of inequality, or by articulating how their cultural background influences their reactions to or interactions with others.
• Articulate an awareness of issues related to historical or contemporary inequities in U.S. society and propose methods that would facilitate a more equitable society.