The Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department offers a major in Political Science which will lead to an Associate in Arts degree. Political Science is an interdisciplinary field that introduces students to a variety of topics and issues including political parties, the media, elections, ancient and modern political theory, and political social movements. The discipline allows students to critically analyze their government, including how it works, why it works that way, and how it might evolve.
As a Political Science major you will:
- develop a critical understanding of the issues facing our cities (especially but not exclusive to New York City),
- learn how to conduct political research,
- perform policy analysis,
- distinguish between biased and unbiased information and
- develop valuable skills including understanding public policy, and writing clearly with the inclusion of critical analysis.
These skills will be useful to students in their future careers and as global citizens.
Political Science majors can work for:
- city, state, and federal government offices,
- in international affairs,
- as governmental liaisons within a private company,
- in campaigns, consulting or data analysis, or
- in the non-profit sector for community-based organizations.
Political Science can also teach skills necessary for students to work collaboratively in ethnically, racially, and ideologically diverse environments.
Students completing this program can transfer seamlessly into the B.A. in Political Science at Brooklyn College/CUNY without the loss of credits.
Transfer Options
BMCC has articulation agreements with several four-year colleges to allow you to seamlessly continue your education there.
Explore Careers
BMCC is committed to students’ long-term success and will help you explore professional opportunities. Undecided? No problem. The college offers Career Coach for salary and employment information, job postings and a self-discovery assessment to help students find their academic and career paths. Visit Career Express to make an appointment with an advisor, search for jobs or sign-up for professional development activities with the Center for Career Development. Students can also visit the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning to gain real world experience in preparation for a four-year degree and beyond. These opportunities are available to help BMCC students build a foundation for future success.
Contact
Heather James
Program Coordinator
hjames@bmcc.cuny.edu
Related Communities
Requirements
Political Science Academic Program Maps
Required Common Core
| English Composition | 6 |
| Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences | 3 |
| TOTAL REQUIRED COMMON CORE | 12 |
Flexible Common Core
| Creative Expression | 3 |
| Individual and Society | 3 |
| Scientific World | 3 |
| U.S. Experience in Its Diversity | 3 |
| World Cultures and Global Issues | 6 |
| TOTAL FLEXIBLE COMMON CORE | 18 |
| TOTAL COMMON CORE | 30 |
Curriculum Requirements
- The history, development, and intellectual origin of American government are studied and analyzed. Special consideration is given to the structure and operation of the executive, legislative and judiciary branches, and the role of government and politics in a modern industrial society.
OR
- This class involves students in observation and critical analysis of political affairs. Topics and themes will include both American and global perspectives and both contemporary and historical cases. The class introduces a range of approaches to the study of politics, such as empirical research, quantitative analysis, theoretical questioning, and the examination of literary or artistic works. Central concepts will include politics, power, government, conflict, and justice.
| POL XXX | Political Science Electives Select 2 courses from any 100-level or 200-level courses not taken above. |
6 |
| POL 2XX | Political Science Electives Select 2 courses from any 200-level courses not taken above. |
6 |
| Social Science Electives | 6 | |
| Liberal Arts Elective Courses | 9 | |
| Total Curriculum Requirements | 30 | |
| Total Program Requirements | 60 | |
