Curriculum Mission and Learning Goals
Department
Mission
Whether enrolled
in a single political science course, or in a series of courses in preparation
for a major or minor in the field, a student should complete the course
of study better able to understand political and governmental structures
and processes, and the presence and role of human diversity in the political
world. An important part of the training in the field should enable
the student to conduct political analysis, and to engage in critical
evaluation of political issues, institutions, and processes.
Learning Goals
A
course of study in Political Science at Wittenberg involves a loose
hierarchy of learning goals embedded in three broad categories consisting
of:
Understanding
Politics
Analyzing Politics
Critically Evaluating Politics
- UNDERSTANDING
POLITICS is considered the basic goal of the political science curriculum,
and essentially refers to the ability of a student to describe the
political world. Four specific learning goals related to this include:
(1) describing the roles of citizens and/or subjects in different
political systems, (2) describing political structures, institutions,
processes, and systems, (3) identifying and describing interdisciplinary
linkages important to the study of politics, and (4) describing different
theories and methods of studying politics, and the role of theory
in political analysis.
- ANALYZING POLITICS refers to the ability of a student to utilize
political science tools, concepts, theories, and data to explain the
political world. While description is a fundamental component, at
the heart of analysis is an effort to answer the essential "Why?"
question. Given this, four specific learning goals in this category
include: (1) demonstrating an ability to utilize the comparative framework,
and theoretical models, for studying politics, (2) demonstrating proficiency
in the use of various tools of analysis such as library research skills,
computer skills, and data collection techniques, (3) demonstrating
proficiency in the presentation of information, particularly empirical
data, and (4) demonstrating the ability to create a research design.
- CRITICALLY EVALUATING POLITICS is a higher order skill that involves
the melding of understanding and analysis to achieve the capacity
to make reasoned judgements about the differences and relative merits
of various political institutions, processes, and behavior.
