Undergraduate Course Catalog 2011-2012
University of New Hampshire at Manchester
» http://www.unhm.unh.edu
Politics and Society (PS)
» http://unhm.unh.edu/current-students/academics/degree-programs/ba-bs.php?id=12
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Professor: Thaddeus M. Piotrowski
Associate Professor: Michael Contarino
Lecturer: Melinda Negron
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Politics and Society provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Politics. The program emphasizes the many ways in which politics both shapes and is shaped by social, cultural, economic and historical context. The program explores such issues as the historical context of political processes and ideas, how economics and politics impact one another, and how political ideas are framed, legitimized, de-legitimized and manipulated in different social contexts.
Politics and Society majors develop critical thinking, communication and research skills essential for careers in government, politics, journalism, diplomacy and business. Graduates of the program also will be well-prepared for graduate studies in Law, Political Science, Sociology, Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Journalism, Diplomacy, International Relations and History.
As the University’s urban campus, UNH Manchester is well-positioned to connect students to local, state and national politics through coursework, research, and internships. Students will have opportunities to work on local and national political campaigns, in local government and with community organizations for credit as a part of their Senior Capstone project.
The Politics and Society program is designed to meet the needs of the region’s diverse student population including traditional-age and older students. Students will fulfill the university’s Discovery Program and major requirements by attending classes either full- or part-time. Transfer students are encouraged to apply.
For complete more information contact Program Director Michael Contarino at 603-641-4138 or mike.contarino@unh.edu; or contact Program Co-Director Melinda Negron-Gonzales at 603-641-4364 or melinda.negron@unh.edu; or contact the Office of Admissions.
Program of Study
Students must complete 128 credits to graduate, including 56 credits in the Politics and Society major.
Students must maintain an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a cumulative GPA in the major of 2.0. No credit toward the major will be given for any course in which the student receives a grade of less than C-. Students also must fulfill the UNH Discovery Program requirements. Up to three courses may be used toward both the Politics and Society major and the UNH Discovery Program requirements. Transfer students must take at least 28 credits in the major at UNH Manchester.
Program Requirements
The Politics and Society Major Includes
7 introductory courses in five social science disciplines and history
3 interdisciplinary Politics and Society core courses at the 500/600/700 level
3 500/600/700-level courses in Political Science and/or Sociology
The PS 701 capstone project and interdisciplinary seminar
Students will complete all lower-level courses before beginning their upper-level program, except by permission of the Politics and Society Program Director. Substitutions may be approved with permission of the Politics and Society Program Director. Writing-Intensive (“W”) courses are included at all levels and will be offered all semesters. Students are encouraged to take a course in statistics and an Inquiry course in a related area.
Required Courses
Seven 400-Level Courses
All of the following
POLT 401 Politics and Society
SOC 400 Introductory Sociology
ECN 411 Introduction to Macroeconomics
One of the following
HIST 410 Historical Survey of American Civilization
HIST 422 World History in the Modern Era
HIST 435/436 Western Civilization
One of the following
POLT 402 Introduction to American Politics
POLT 403 US and World Affairs
POLT 407 Law and Society
One of the following
ANTH 411 Global Perspectives on the Human Condition
ANTH 450 Race, Class and Power
One of the following
CMN 456 Propaganda and Persuasion
CMN 455 Mass Communication
Seven 500/600/700 Level Courses
Three of the following interdisciplinary “PS” courses
PS 501 Social and Political-Economic Theory
PS 502 Political Psychology
PS 503 Political Theory and Historical and Social Context
PS 504 Empire, Democracy and War
PS 505 Political Violence and Terrorism
PS 506 Civil Society and Public Policy
PS 507 The Politics of Food
PS 651 Selected Topics in Politics and Society
PS 702 International Relations: Interdisciplinary Approaches
Three 500/600/700-level “PS-approved” courses in POLT or SOC (must include at least one POLT course, except by permission of the PS Program Coordinator). At least one course shall be at the 700-level.
One capstone 700-Level PS course
PS 701W: Senior Project and Interdisciplinary Senior Seminar in Politics and Society
Political Economy Minor
Students interested in pursuing a career in government, public service, business, communications or the law can add a breadth of perspective through the minor.
The Political Economy minor consists of five courses (20 credits total). Students must take five of the following courses, with no more than THREE from the same designation (i.e., no more than three ECN or three POLT), and no more than THREE at the 400-level:
ECN 411 (Introduction to Macroeconomic Principles)
ECN 412 (Introduction to Microeconomic Principles)
ECN 635 (Money, Banking and Macroeconomic Activity)
ECN 640 (Business, Law and Economics)
ECN 650 (Economics for Managers)
POLT 401 (Politics and Society)
POLT 403 (US and World Affairs)
POLT 560 (World Politics)
POLT 567 (Politics of Global Resources)
POLT 743 (Comparative Political Economy)
POLT 762 (International Political Economy)
HUMA 412 (Industry and Welfare)
HUMA 660 (Moral Dimension of Economic Life)
ADM 701 (Business, Government and Society)
Substitutions are permitted by permission of minor coordinators, Tom Birch and Michael Contarino.
For more information contact Michael Contarino at 603-641-4138 or Tom Birch at 603-641-4108.
Political Science Minor
The Political Science minor consists of five courses (20 credits total). These courses may be taken in any combination of the four fields and levels (400-700) offered. The fields to choose from are: American politics, political thought, comparative politics and international politics. It is recommended that no more than two courses be taken at the 400 level.
The minimum grade requirement is C- per course. Any grade lower than a C- will not count toward the minor. Students wishing to use transfer credits from abroad or other universities should meet with a political science advisor to determine eligibility toward the minor.
For more information contact Michael Contarino, Minor Supervisor, at 603-641-4138.
