Policy Studies A.B.
A Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Policy Studies requires the completion of the Elon Core Curriculum as well as the Major Requirements listed below.
Major Requirements
Foundation courses: 24 sh
| ECO 1000 | PRINCIPLES OF ECONOMICS | 4 sh |
| POL 1110 | AMERICAN GOVERNMENT | 4 sh |
| PST 2250 | INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC POLICY | 4 sh |
| POL 2200 | RESEARCH METHODS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND POLICY STUDIES | 4 sh |
| PST 3010 | POLICY ANALYSIS | 4 sh |
| PST 4970 | SENIOR SEMINAR IN POLICY STUDIES | 4 sh |
Select one course from the following: 4 sh
Double-majors in Policy Studies and Public Health Studies may substitute PHS 2020 Research Methods in Public Health for POL 2200. Double-majors in Policy Studies and Anthropology or Sociology may substitute ANT 2150/SOC 2150 Qualitative Research Methods and ANT 2160/SOC 2160 Quantitative Research Methods (both courses) for POL 2200.
The following foundation courses carry prerequisites, and should be taken in the proper sequence; see catalog descriptions for details: PST 2250, PST 3010, PST 4970.
Policy Studies elective: 4 sh
Interdisciplinary electives : 16 sh
Choose four courses, for interdisciplinary inputs to policy study and applications of policy analysis principles. No more than two courses (8 sh) with the same subject prefix. No more than two interdisciplinary electives at the 1000 level; minimum of two interdisciplinary electives at the 3000/4000 level.
Some courses in the Electives list carry prerequisites or other registration restrictions; see Catalog course descriptions for details. If these courses are selected as electives, their prerequisites increase the number of hours for the major. Such courses may be most appropriate for students double-majoring in Policy Studies and the subject areas for these courses.
It is recommended that policy studies majors, in consultation with their advisors, select electives around an informal, interdisciplinary concentration to develop a depth of policy-relevant knowledge in a particular area.
Up to eight PST internship hours may be applied to the major.
Program Outcomes
Policy studies students should be able to effectively communicate complex ideas through various media formats which must include written, and could include oral, electronic, and other creative communication strategies.
Policy Studies students should demonstrate the ability to engage in systematic investigation of complex phenomena by developing appropriate research questions and by applying appropriate research methodologies in response to those questions.
As fully enlightened citizens, and as future practitioners in public service, Policy Studies students must be able to access, understand, and evaluate various types of information currently available to them.
The faculty in the Department of Political Science and Policy Studies is committed to the development of a learning environment that promotes student skills in critical and analytical reasoning. Such skills are necessary for the development of cognitive frameworks that are vital for informed participation in our communities and civic life.
While recognizing that the liberal arts in general develop many common intellectual skills, there are distinctive practices and methodologies that define specific disciplines. Students graduating with an undergraduate degree in Policy Studies should have strong familiarity with and have an ability to demonstrate specific knowledge and skills that shape the theoretical frameworks, methodologies, discourses and practices in the field of Policy Studies.
Total Credit Hours: 48-52