POL 499: Political Science Capstone

Course Description

In this capstone contract course, students demonstrate fulfillment of the various outcomes of their concentration courses. Each student will complete the capstone project to demonstrate that the student understands clearly his or her concentration, has mastered the content of the selected field(s) of study, and can synthesize and apply what he or she has learned. The capstone project may take one of several formats: a research paper, scholarly essay, portfolio, presentation of creative work, business plan, case study, or any other mode appropriate to the student’s interest and experience. A minimum grade of “C” must be earned to meet the requirements of the concentration. (3 credits)

Political Science Concentration

Political Science is the study of government and public policy and of the political behavior of individuals, groups, and institutions. Political Science provides an understanding of issues such as international diplomacy, environmental, economic, and healthcare policy, and election campaigns.

 

Prerequisites

  • Students must have completed most of their concentration courses and take this course in their last semester. Academic Counselor approval is required to register.

 

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who graduate with a concentration in Political Science will be able to:

  1. explain the role of societal values in politics and the policy making process;
  2. explain the dynamics of power and politics in the domestic and global contexts;
  3. demonstrate knowledge of the subspecialties of political science: International Relations, American Government, Political Theory, State and Local Government, Public Administration, Comparative Politics, Constitutional Law, Political Science Methodology, etc.;
  4. analyze the links between politics, values, and policy outcomes;
  5. analyze the fundamentals of politics, political processes and political problems and patterns, such as inequality, group conflict, institutional failure, war, international conflict, terrorism, etc.;
  6. identify levels of analysis and actors involved in government and politics;
  7. identify and evaluate relations among political, economic, and social systems; and
  8. conduct research using methods appropriate to the discipline; and
  9. synthesize their learning of the concentration through a research paper, project, portfolio, or practicum.

 

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsPointsWeight

3 Assignments @ 10 points each (Weeks 2, 4 & 6)

30

30%

Capstone Project (Final project) (Week 8)

70

70%

Total

100

100%

Required Textbooks

  • There are no required textbooks to purchase, however, students may find it helpful to refer to materials from previous courses.

Course Schedule

Week

Assignments

1

  • Review course policies found in current Course Schedule at http://www.charteroak.edu
  • Review learning outcomes of the concentration
  • Consider topics and format for project
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project 
  • Begin project work

2

  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project
  • Submit Initial Draft of project proposal to Mentor: Assignment worth 10 points

3

  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project (as needed)
  • Review Mentor comments regarding proposal

4

  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project (as needed)
  • Submit Project Draft # 1 to Mentor: Assignment worth 10 points

5

  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with Mentor about project

6

  • Submit Project Draft #2 to Mentor: Assignment worth 10 points
  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)

7

  • Submit Project Draft #3 to Mentor if required or if requested by student
  • Continue project work
  • Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)

8

  • Submit Final Project to Mentor for grading: Assignment worth 70 points.
  • Complete the Course Evaluation

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.