"Do You Want Fries with That?" A Review of the Bachelor's Program in Political Science

In: Politics & policy: a publication of the Policy Studies Organization, Band 33, Heft 2, S. 349-370

Abstract

The study of Political Science has much to offer college students. The program broadens our understanding of ourselves & our world. However, I argue that this is not a sufficient basis upon which to build a college major, especially in light of changing economic circumstances & changing educational demands from our students. Students increasingly come to college to earn degrees that will lead to employment, & most undergraduates do not perceive of the BA in Political Science as a gateway degree, but rather as a terminal degree. Our failure to offer the BA as a terminal degree harms our programs & our graduates. I offer three solutions to the dilemma of Political Science: eliminate the BA program entirely; use our elective offerings to guide students into gaining useful job skills while earning a BA in Political Science; & revamp the BA program to be a terminal degree program, offering real job skills integrated into our overall course offerings. 1 Table, 1 Figure, 1 Appendix, 46 References. Adapted from the source document.