Political Studies
Political Studies examines political values, interests, institutions, power, and the processes of governing. Courses explore these questions using a variety of methodological approaches.
Pitzer Advisers: N. Boyle, G. Herrera, A. Pantoja, S. Snowiss, L. Tongun, R. VanSickle-Ward, D. Ward.
Political Studies consists of four sub-fields: Political Philosophy examines the history of political concepts such as authority, law, freedom, rights, equality, justice, and the state; Comparative Politics develops criteria for comparing the domestic politics and policies of countries throughout the world, including the U.S.A.; Global Politics examines relationships between and among nation-states, as well as the emergence of transnational forces that increasingly give shape to a global political system; U.S. Politics examines politics and public policy in the U.S.A., including Latino, African American and Asian American politics.
Requirements for the Major
Satisfactory completion of twelve (12) courses in Political Studies. These must include:
- 1. Political Studies 10a, 10b and 70.
- 2. At least one course in each of the four sub-fields: U.S., Comparative, Political Philosophy and Global.
- 3. At least three upper-level courses in one of the four sub-fields (upper level courses require that appropriate introductory-level courses have been taken.
- 4. A senior seminar, offered in Fall or Spring semester, which includes a major research paper.
Political Studies majors intending to pursue graduate study or careers in politics and public policy are strongly recommended to take:
- • Political Studies 91 and 93
- • 2 years of language study
- • Macroeconomics and Microeconomics
- • A survey course in modern world history and another history course appropriate to one's focus of study
- • An off-campus internship in a political organization. Certain Pitzer External Studies programs provide such opportunities and internships are also available in Politics of Water and Labor and Politics
Political Studies 10a will normally be offered in Fall semester, 10b in Spring. Students are strongly encouraged to take these courses in their first year. Political Studies 70 will normally be offered in the Fall and is best taken by students in their sophomore or junior years.
Senior Thesis: Those students who wish to write a senior thesis must present a proposal or paper to the Political Studies Field Group at the end of the prior semester for approval.
Honors: Exceptional students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better may be awarded honors in Political Studies on the basis of the excellence of their work in the major and on a senior thesis.
AP Credit: AP courses in the field of politics and government with a score of 5 may be counted toward graduation, but not toward fulfilling the requirements of the major.
Requirements for Combined Major (Political Studies/Economics)
Students who wish to combine a major in Political Studies with a major in Economics must meet all requirements for the Political Studies major with the exception that the student needs to complete a total of eight (8) courses and a senior seminar in either Political Studies or Economics. Combined majors with other fields will be arranged on a case-by-case basis.