Washburn
University
Henderson Learning Center
Room 215
Topeka KS 66621
785-670-1737
Department
Chair
Dr. Mark
Peterson
Political Science
Mission Statement
The Political Science department provides the curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Bachelor of Public Administration degrees. The department serves a clientele that enrolls in its courses for several different reasons including: (1) meeting general education requirements, (2) meeting major or minor requirements for other departments and majors, (3) meeting the cognitive needs of departmental majors, (4) assisting students in meeting the professional development needs of their present or future employment, and (5) meeting the elective needs of students who are interested in politics, political issues, and/or public policy.
Student Learning Outcomes
Political Science students at Washburn University, upon graduation,
are expected to have acquired knowledge of four of the following five subfields:
the political institutions and processes of the governments of the United
States;
international political issues, significant international organizations,
and the world political economy; the ideas, concepts, and principles associated
with political philosophers deemed by the discipline as being most significant
to the dub- field of Political Theory; the field of comparative political
institutions and political processes; and the field of public administration,
its processes, and the general principles of and problems of complex public
organizations. In addition, all majors in the discipline should be able
to interpret the meaning and significance of political data.
The Political Science Department administers the two degrees of political science (BA), and public administration (BPA), and also the Certificate of Non-Profit Management (see also the Department of Human Services), and Geography courses.
The Department of Political Science offers the Bachelor's in Political Science (B.A.) which seeks to prepare well-rounded students who understand politics and policies domestically, internationally, theoretically, and administratively. The BA in Political Sciences is for those who plan to go on to graduate or law school or public employment. The Department also offers a Bachelor of Public Administration degree with an emphasis in public and non-profit management, and we also offer the Certificate of Non-Profit Management.