Learning Goals and Objectives

Mission Statement

“Consistent with the mission of Lehman College, the Department of Political Science aims to provide a liberal arts education that prepares students for professional careers and for life-long participation in a democratic political system. The Department also aims to nurture an academic environment that encourages research and learning in American politics, political theory, international politics, public policy and administration, and law and government.“

Goals and Objectives

In order to achieve this mission, the Department strives to provide students with knowledge about the structure and operation of power in general and politics in particular as well as skills that will help them succeed in their chosen careers. Upon completion of the political science program, a major in Political Science will be expected to demonstrate:

Learning Goals and Objectives, Full Document (PDF)

Goal I: “Critical Thinking” Skills Expressed in a Written Form

Students will be able to:

summarize and evaluate scholarly arguments and media opinions in papers on American Politics;
summarize and evaluate scholarly arguments and media opinions in papers on Political Theory and Methods of Political Analysis;
summarize and evaluate scholarly arguments and media opinions in papers on Comparative Politics; A student
summarize and evaluate scholarly arguments and media opinions in papers on International Politics;
summarize and evaluate scholarly arguments and media opinions in papers on Law and Politics; and
summarize and evaluate scholarly arguments and media opinions in papers on Public Policy and Administration

Goal II: “Quantitative and Qualitative” Data Analysis Skills

A student will be able to:

collect, process, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data about American Politics;
use Political Theories and Methods in analyzing quantitative and qualitative data;
collect, process, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data about Comparative Politics;
collect, process, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data about International Politics;
collect, process, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data about Law and Politics; and
collect, process, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data about Public Policy and Administration.

Goal III: “General Education-Politics nexus” (Relevant to Non-Majors and Majors)

Students will be able to:

understand the significance of politics in their life. [Note on the use of “x” in Table below: The Undergraduate Studies, which supervises General Education Programs, undertakes the assessment of distribution courses, freshman courses, LEH courses, and college now courses. The Department assists their assessment effort and follow their assessment cycle, but the Department does not intend to conduct its own assessment of general education offerings as it does not directly relate to the major program]

Goal IV: “Competence in Research Capabilities.”

Students will be able to:

formulate a research question in light of political science scholarship and design a research paper that addresses this question.
carry out the research by identifying and using appropriate sources.
examine alternative theoretical arguments in light of empirical findings and develop his/her own argument supported by evidence that properly cites sources.

Goal V: Active “Political Participation” as a Civic Duty

Students will:

Active “political participation” as a civic duty

Goal VI: “Public Service” Careers and Preparation for Graduate School for Such Careers

Students will:

participate in internship programs with city, state, or national government or inter- governmental, non-governmental, or international organizations as a preparation for public service careers or as a preparation for graduate school for such careers.