Political Science is the study of political philosophy and government. Since politics interacts with all aspects of society, political science has a kinship with the social sciences of psychology, sociology, and economics, and with humanities such as philosophy, history, and literature.
Political Science at Middlesex addresses practical questions: “Who has power?” “How are governments organized?” “How are decisions made?” “Who gets what?” It also considers ideas and values such as democracy, liberty, order, equality and justice. Successful completion of the degree is a prelude to a career in Public Service (Government), the Non-Profit Sector, or the Practice of Law.
Upon completion of this program students will be able to:
Short Title : English Composition I
Course Code : ENG-121
Course Description :
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
Prerequisites :
A passing score on the College Placement Test; or a grade of "C" or better in ENG-010 and RDG-011 (RDG-011 can be a co-requisite; or a grade of "C" or better in ESL-097 and ESL-098.
Co requisites :
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
Short Title : English Composition II
Course Code : ENG-122
Department Description : English
Course Description : Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing argument synthesis essays. Students engage in formal written argumentation based on extensive reading and analysis of complex texts. Through the research process, students will locate, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources to advance their own informed positions on relevant issues in the composition of a formal research paper.
Prerequisites :
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
Short Title : Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Course Code : SPE-121
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description : Introduction to the theory and practice of public address; the study of representative public addresses and the preparation and delivery of short speeches.
Short Title : Discussion and Debate
Course Code : SPE-123
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description : The development of clear, logical and effective speech communication is the goal of this basic discussion and debate course. The focus will be on reasoned decision making with the context of a free society. Topics will draw upon social values, personal responsibility and/or ethical behavior. Speech presentations will include large group discussions, panel discussions and debates that emphasize the ability to work in a team environment.
Take one of the two-course sequences below. Must take both courses in the chosen sequence.
Short Title : History of Western Civilization I
Course Code : HIS-121
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : The historical development of Western civilization from ancient times to approximately 1715 A.D. Emphasis is on the social, economic, political and cultural forces that helped to shape the West, beginning with the early Mediterranean civilizations and following through to the subsequent rise of European civilization.
Short Title : History of Western Civilization II
Course Code : HIS-122
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : Europe and the world since 1715. Emphasis is on the emerging nation-state political system, the Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century, and intellectual history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the rise of totalitarianism in the twentieth century and the world balance of power since 1914.
Short Title : World History I
Course Code : HIS-131
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : This course is a survey of world history from the emergence of human settlements to the 15th century c.e. The course emphasizes social, cultural, economic, and political developments on the Asian, American, European, African and Pacific island landmasses. A special emphasis is given to comparing cultures over time and geographic space. The rise and decline of major civilizations, the transition from an agrarian to an urban economy, the role of women, and the origins of globalization are some of the major features discussed.
Short Title : World History II
Course Code : HIS-132
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : This course is a survey of world history from the 15th century c.e. to the present. The course emphasizes social, cultural, economic, and political developments on the Asian, American, European, African and Pacific island landmasses. A special emphasis is given to comparing cultures over time and geographic space. The rise and decline of major empires and states, the transition to a modern political economy, the role of women, the cause and effects of colonialism and imperialism and world wars, and the rise of globalization are some of the major features discussed.
Short Title : United States History I
Course Code : HIS-221
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : Historical importance of the Puritan heritage, the American Revolution, the Constitution, Jacksonian democracy, Manifest Destiny and the Civil War to understand pre-Civil War America.
Short Title : United States History II
Course Code : HIS-222
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : Historical importance of Reconstruction, the rise of big business, the Progressive Movement, the World Wars, the New Deal and the Cold War. Understanding American institutions and values from the Civil War to the present.
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Humanities (GE HUM). Choose two modern language courses in sequence from either: CHN, FRE, GER, HIN, ITA or SPA. For students who completed at least two years of high school study in one modern language, their level of language will be determined by a placement test (excluding SPA-242).
Short Title : GE Humanities Elective
Course Code : HUM-EL2
Department Description : Humanities
Short Title : GE - Language Elective
Course Code : LAN-EL1
Short Title : GE - Language Elective
Course Code : LAN-EL1
Students must take 12-15 credits in General Education Mathematics, Science, and Technology courses. Choose one or two science courses (GE MST), one or two math courses (GE MST) and one technology course, in consultation with an academic advisor. For the technology elective, choose either CSC-105 or CSC-106.
Short Title : GE Technology Elective
Course Code : GE-MST
Department Description : General Education
Short Title : GE Math Elective
Course Code : MAT-EL1
Short Title : GE Science Elective
Course Code : BIO-EL1
Department Description : Biology
Short Title : GE Mathematics or Science Elective
Course Code : GE MathSci
Department Description : General Education
Choose courses designated in the course descriptions as General Education Social Science (GE SS).
Short Title : GE Social Science Elective
Course Code : GE SS
Department Description : GE Social Science Elective
Short Title : GE Social Science Elective
Course Code : GE SS
Department Description : GE Social Science Elective
Short Title : GE Diversity Elective
Course Code : DVR-EL1
Choose one course designated in the course descriptions as General Education Diversity (GE DIV).
Short Title : Divisional Elective
Course Code : DIV-EL1
Department Description : Division/Dept Hour
Choose one course from the following areas: AFS, AGD, ART, ASL, BIO, CHM, CHN, CJU, COM, COR, CPT, DAN, DMA, EDU, ENG, FRE, FSC, GER, GLS, HCS, HED, HIN, HIS, IDC, ITA, JOU, LNC, MAD, MAT, MUS, PCP, PED, PHI, PHY, POL, POS, PSY, SCI, SOC, SPA, SPE, SSD and THE.
Short Title : Physical/Health Education Elective
Course Code : Physical/Health Education Elective
Department Description : Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance
Course Description :
Physical/Health Education Elective
Short Title : Introductory Government and Politics
Course Code : POS-121
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : Survey of politics as a concept and political science as a professional discipline. Specific emphasis is placed on development of democratic institutions and values, and the comparative role of public opinion and citizen participation in modern representative democratic systems. Historical and recent United States federal elections are used as case studies.
Short Title : United States National Government
Course Code : POS-220
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : The organization, powers and procedures of the United States national government are presented along with such topics as the role of political parties, electorate behavior and interest groups as a continuing process of United States politics.
Short Title : United States State and Local Government
Course Code : POS-201
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : A comparative analysis of the state, county and municipal levels of government in the United States is offered. Particular attention is given to New Jersey government and politics, state party organizations, interest groups and electorate behavior, as well as the formal governmental structure.
Short Title : Comparative Government
Course Code : POS-222
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : A comparative global study of the development of the modern nation-State. Emphasis is placed on the effects of globalization on countries' political culture and governing institutions. Case studies come from Europe, North America, Latin America, The Middle East, and Asia.
Short Title : Constitutional Law
Course Code : POS-231
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : Examines the principal methods by which United States Supreme Court Justices give meaning to Constitutional provisions in the context of individual cases. Particular attention paid to the fundamental importance of a full and coherent understanding of the principles, precedents and problems of America’s democratic system.
Prerequisites :
Contact Name: Timothy Hack, department chair
Contact Phone: 732.906.2590
Contact Email: HSS@middlesexcc.edu
Department Web: https://www.middlesexcc.edu/history-social-science/
A Liberal Arts education helps students develop strong and ordered minds as they explore the world’s collected wisdom in literature, history, mathematics, science, philosophy and the arts. It teaches them to recognize and construct arguments, to appreciate diverse cultures and perspectives, and to have a sense of scholarship about the lives and events that have gone before. Liberal Arts emphasis on language helps students broaden their cultural perspective and become more aware of their own identity. Courses comprising a Liberal Arts education at Middlesex County College are the core of all liberal arts programs at the bachelor’s level. Students may select the general degree, the most flexible of all our Liberal Arts programs, or one of the many specialized options.
Algebra I is a prerequisite for all majors. Competency in Algebra I may be verified with a passing score on the College’s placement test or by completion of the appropriate course. Students must also have a grade of “C” or better in one year of high school laboratory science.
Once students complete required developmental coursework (if any), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. Students may shorten the amount of degree completion time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.
Our students transfer to 4-year colleges and universities around the globe. We’ve had students transfer to every state, including Alaska and Hawaii.
The Statewide Transfer Agreement for New Jersey ensures that students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree at a community college will have those credits fully transferable to a New Jersey public four-year institution, will have completed half of the credits required for a basic four-year degree and will have completed all lower division general education requirements. In addition, articulation agreements are being worked out with institutions granting baccalaureate degrees to facilitate the transfer process. Students should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.
Are you interested in transferring to a school in New Jersey? You can use the tools at NJTransfer.org to see which of your MCC courses will transfer to a specific college.
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