Concentrations: International Affairs, Political Science, Public Policy & Administration

Courses:

·        GOV 400 Senior RFT “Experiential Learning and Politics”

·        GOV 490 Senior Seminar “U.S. Exceptionalism Reconsidered”

These two courses are linked by a practicum that will relate to the subject material in one or both of the courses.

            GOV 400, the Reflective Tutorial, addresses several themes. First, we discuss various criticisms of the state of higher education — including the issues of free speech and “political correctness” — along with suggestions regarding possible remedies. Second, we examine proposals to institute a service-learning component in undergraduate education, and appraisals of those programs where they have been put into effect. Finally, we assess the various arguments that have revolved around Robert Putnam’s contention that American community is collapsing due to a lack of “social capital.”

            GOV 490, the Senior Seminar, functions as a capstone class. We examine U.S. social welfare policy from comparative, international, and public-policy perspectives. More specifically, we analyze the argument that the United States is somehow “exceptional” in terms of the low level of public services.

            Practicum — Political Science and Public Policy and Administration majors will be assigned to a placement at Project Hospitality, a multi-service agency here on Staten Island. Placements will involve issues advocacy, program evaluation and policy analysis, and management support responsibilities. International Affairs majors will select a placement in consultation with the instructor.