Political Science Degree Prepares Students to Question and Transform Political Systems and More

The Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice department at Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC/CUNY) will offer an Associate in Arts (A.A.) degree program in Political Science starting Fall 2022. Graduates of the program will transfer without loss of credits to the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science programs at Brooklyn College, CUNY and The City College of New York, CUNY.

“This major has been long in the making and I am thrilled that it has finally come to fruition,” says Social Sciences, Human Services and Criminal Justice Department Chair Sangeeta Bishop. “Political Science Professor Heather James — who is coordinator of the new program — has worked tirelessly to make this happen and I am very proud of the work that she has done. There is no better time for a Political Science major than our current politically charged environment.”

“The term ‘politics’ refers to all the ways people make and enforce collective decisions or take collective action,” says Professor James. “People who study politics examine governments and laws, war and peace, parties and movements, institutions and practices, power and principles. They gather and analyze data about recent events, argue about fundamental concepts and values, study history, and even use literature and the arts to investigate political life.”

As Professor James explains, there are many career paths a political science major could consider.

“They might work in public service, law, journalism, advocacy or organizing,” she says. “Political science classes are also a good choice for any student who is curious about public affairs or wants to learn a broad range of methods for exploring the human condition.”

Whatever career they choose, the Political Science graduate would bring an understanding of how government works and why it works that way. They would be able to contextualize that knowledge with a general understanding of political systems around the world.

“Most importantly,” says Professor James, “graduates of the program will gain perspective on how political systems impact our daily lives, and they will have ideas on how to make those systems more equitable.”

For more information on the Political Science degree program starting at BMCC in Fall 2022, please contact Professor Heather B. James, hjames@bmcc.cuny.edu.