The major in Political Science introduces students to the principal fields of inquiry in political science. This major provides a program of study for students considering careers in a variety of fields, including public service, law, community affairs, international relations and politics.
In the major’s advanced course offerings, students may select courses from any of the four subfields presented: Law, Courts and Politics which explores the intersection of the legal system and the broader political system; Justice and Politics, which examines the political philosophy and various societal values that underlie contemporary views of justice; American and Urban Politics and Policy, which emphasizes the role of political institutions in shaping solutions to contemporary urban problems; and Comparative/International Politics and Human Rights, which explores the global dimensions of politics and governance.
Learning outcomes. Students will:
- Initiate, develop, and present independent research.
- Write effectively, engage in intellectually grounded debate, and form and express cogent arguments.
- Develop skills in critical thinking in order to become knowledgeable citizens capable of reasoned judgments on contemporary political issues.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the major subfields of political science.
Co-Coordinators. Professors Jennifer Rutledge (Assessment Coordinator, 646-557-4710, jrutledge@jjay.cuny.edu); Janice Bockmeyer (Advising Coordinator, 212.237.8196, jbockmeyer@jjay.cuny.edu); Michael Yarbrough (Advising Coordinator, 646-557-4615, myarbrough@jjay.cuny.edu), and Katie Zuber (Advising Coordinator, kzuber@jjay.cuny.edu), Department of Political Science
Advisor. Ms. Catherine Kleint, Academic Advisement Center (ckleint@jjay.cuny.edu)
Advising resources. Political Science Major Advising Resources
Prerequisite. POL 101 which can fulfill the College’s general education requirement in the Flexible Core: U.S. Experience in its Diversity area, is a prerequisite for several courses in the major.
Experiential learning opportunities. Students in the Political Science major have various opportunities for experiential learning. Students can participate in four credit-bearing internship programs during their junior and senior years. The New York City Internship program places students in the local offices of city, state and federal elected representatives. Students can apply to intern in the N.Y. State Legislature in Albany for a semester or in Washington, D.C. during the summer term. The Judicial Internship places students with judges in New York state courts. In addition, students can engage in undergraduate research opportunities, either working individually with a faculty member as a research assistant or on their own project or working collaboratively with a group of three or more students with a faculty member. Finally, students in the major can participate in John Jay's nationally recognized and award-winning Model United Nations program.
Additional information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College or changed to this major in September 2020 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose either the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained in the 2019-20 Undergraduate Bulletin.
Part One. Foundation Courses
All students will take six courses: POL 101 and five additional courses, one per category listed below.
Part Four. Political Science Electives
Students must take fifteen credits from the course offerings listed below. Courses taken as foundations requirements (Part One) do not count towards this part of the major. Students have three options for completing this part of the major.
1. Take five 3-credit courses, three of which must be at the 300-level or higher
2. Take a 3-credit internship course (LWS 375) and four 3-credit courses, two of which must be at the 300-level or higher
3. Take a 6-credit internship course (LWS 378, POL 406, POL 407, or POL 408) and three 3-credit courses, one of which must be at the 300-level or higher
Note: POL 407 is a 15-credit internship course, but only 6 credits can be applied towards Part Four of the major. The other 9 credits will count as general electives towards your degree.
Students can take any of the courses listed below to complete Part Four of the major. The courses are presented in subfield groups. Students who wish to specialize in a particular subfield or area are encouraged to take more courses from that area.
