2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog
Politics
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The Department of Politics at New England College provides students with opportunities to investigate political phenomena ranging from the behavior of the individual citizen to relations among states in the international arena. The program seeks to develop awareness of the moral and ethical implications of political action as well as understanding of political institutions and processes from diverse perspectives. The study of politics emphasizes critical thinking in preparing students for roles as engaged citizens of their community, country, and the world. Our goal is to develop a citizen scholar who understands the challenges and opportunities around them and are in a position to make a difference.
The department maintains a strong commitment to the development of students’ writing abilities. Most courses in the department require one or more papers. The senior level seminars require a major paper based on significant independent student research. In addition, each politics major, under the guidance of a faculty member, writes and publicly defends a senior thesis or completes a substantive capstone project.
Learning Outcomes
Students completing the Politics program will:
- Apply the skills necessary to conduct original research and write professionally.
- Apply critical thinking skills by formulating, writing, and defending a senior thesis or capstone project.
- Practice the fundamental principles of civic engagement as citizens in a representative republic.
- Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of the political institutions and processes of the government of the United States.
- Evaluate the dynamics of politics and power at work in the modern world.
- Analyze complex issues affecting global politics and the international political system.
Signature Immersion Experience
Each major will complete a senior capstone project in their senior year.
Each student is asked to undertake an independent learning experience where they will immerse themselves in research and writing on a specific topic of their choosing. Faculty works with the student on topic selection and making sure they meet deliverable milestones and provide support through faculty and library staff. The student completes a writing intensive project which can be the traditional thesis or a project designed in consultation with a member of the politics faculty.
The student constructs a committee (with representatives across departments) that advises through the process. Additionally, the senior capstone seminar class involves significant feedback from fellow students. At the end of process the student does a “defense” which includes a public presentation with comments and feedback from the faculty on the committee.
ProgramsMajorMinorCoursesHomeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
Politics
All undergraduate courses are 4 credits unless otherwise noted.
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