Master of Arts in Political Science-Capstone Option - Charles Town - West Virginia - American Military University - I1305

The Master’s Capstone Seminar option includes a thesis, or a major research project or paper in lieu of the final comprehensive examination, which has no credit hours. Those who elect this option may reduce their electives by three semester hours to accommodate the seminar option credit. This option is desirable for those students who wish to focus on specific subject matter of an interdisciplinary nature or who would like to continue their education at a higher level. Students electing this option must use this as one of the graduate electives.



In addition to the institutional and degree level learning outcomes objectives, the Masters of Arts in Political Science seeks the following specific learning outcomes of its graduates:



* Analyze the fundamental theories and philosophies of government, governance, economy, and civil society and apply them to contemporary political systems.

* Evaluate the political elements of representative democracy and compare and contrast those elements with other political systems.

* Assemble and evaluate the appropriate information and data used in the social, economic, foreign affairs and security policy-making realm.

* Assess the actors and processes involved in policymaking and evaluate policy implementation outcomes in various sectors to include the social, economic, foreign policy and security policy domains.

The Master of Arts in Political Science degree program is designed to offer the graduates of diversified undergraduate programs an opportunity to obtain proficiency in traditional fields of study within political science. Topics include: American government theory and process, comparative politics, contemporary political institutions, defense and security policy, foreign policy analysis, international law, international organizations, legislative behavior, policy analysis, political philosophy, and regional and transnational organizations.