Program Overview

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

The Department of Government and Society offers a bachelor's program in Political Science. Upon completing all program's curricular requirements, students graduate with a "Bachelor of Arts in Political Science" degree. The program provides students with both theoretical and practical knowledge in various areas of political science, including political theory, public policy, international relations, public administration, and comparative politics. This knowledge is aligned with the needs and priorities of the UAE. The program fosters critical thinking and ethical awareness and introduces students to theoretical frameworks, conceptual constructs, and substantive analyses of political subjects and issues. Graduates are well-prepared to lead professional careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The program also qualifies students to successfully seek job placements in federal and local governmental institutions, research centers, international organizations, media entities, and pursue graduate studies in political science and related fields.

Program Objectives

• Provide students with a rigorous understanding of the theories, concepts, and methods in the various fields of political science.
• Equip students with the skills and competencies to pursue careers or ventures in various sectors and fields related to politics, public administration, public policy, and government.
• Foster entrepreneurial skills and mindsets that can help students identify and address problems, create innovative solutions, and generate positive impact.
• Promote responsible citizenship, by cultivating the skills of critical thinking, ethical awareness, and civic engagement.
• Prepare students to pursue graduate studies in fields relevant to political science.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Identify concepts, theories, and approaches in the fields of political science, public administration, and public policy.
• Explain essential government processes, institutions, actors, behaviors, and ideas that shape national and international political systems.
• Apply ethical reasoning to political science, public administration, and public policy in professional and personal contexts.
• Propose fact-based solutions to various governmental issues and problems through qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• Communicate descriptive and analytical knowledge effectively in written and oral format to various audiences.
• Analyze the political and public administrative systems of the UAE within their local, regional, and international contexts.
• Demonstrate preparedness for continued reflective practice and lifelong learning.

Degree Requirements

Required Credit Hours: minimum 120 hours

General Education (Req. Ch: 21)

• Theme 1: UAE National Identity (3 hours)
  • GEEM110: Contemporary Emirati Studies (3 hours)
• Theme 2: Academic Language Proficiency (3 hours)
  • GEAE101: Academic English for Humanities and STEM (3 hours)
• Theme 3: Innovation (3 hours)
  • GEIT113: Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (3 hours)
• Theme 4: Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
  • GEIE222: Fundamentals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
• Theme 5: Sustainability (3 hours)
  • GESU121: Sustainability (3 hours)

Students shall register 6 from the 5 following themes (a maximum of 3 CH from each theme)

• Theme 6: Quantitative Reasoning and Critical Thinking (3 hours)
  • PHI180: Critical Thinking (3 hours)
  • MATH120: Contemporary Applications of Math (3 hours)
  • STAT101: Statistics in the Modern World (3 hours)
  • ECON110: Principles of Economics (3 hours)
• Theme 7: Humanities (3 hours)
  • GEIS100: Islamic Culture (3 hours)
  • GEIS101: Biography of the Prophet "Sira" (3 hours)
  • HSR120: Introduction to Heritage & Culture (3 hours)
  • HSR130: Introduction to Language & Communication (3 hours)
  • MSC200: Introduction to Mass Media (3 hours)
  • PHI101: Introduction to Philosophy (3 hours)
  • TRS200: Introduction to Translation (3 hours)
• Theme 8: Behavioral and Social Sciences (3 hours)
  • AGRB210: Introduction to Agribusiness (3 hours)
  • CURR103: Early Childhood Development & Learning (3 hours)
  • GEBS280: Future Workforce Skills (3 hours)
  • FOED102: Professional Ethics in Education (3 hours)
  • GEO200: World Regional Geography (3 hours)
  • HSR140: Introduction to Society & Behavior (3 hours)
  • HSR150: Introduction to Government Policy & Urban Structures (3 hours)
  • PHI226: Human Rights Theory (3 hours)
  • PHIL120: Principles of Professional Ethics (3 hours)
  • PSYC100: Introduction to Psychology (3 hours)
• Theme 9: Natural Sciences (3 hours)
  • ARAG205: Introduction to Fish and Animal Science (3 hours)
  • ARAG220: Natural Resources (3 hours)
  • CHEM181: Chemistry in the Modern World (3 hours)
  • GEOL110: Planet Earth (3 hours)
  • PHYS100: Astronomy (3 hours)
  • PHYS101: Conceptual Physics (3 hours)
• Theme 10: Health and Wellness (3 hours)
  • FDSC250: Contemporary Food Science & Nutrition (3 hours)
  • GEHP111: Happiness and Wellbeing (3 hours)
  • NUTR100: Nutrition and Well-being (3 hours)
  • PHED201: Physical Fitness and Wellness (3 hours)
  • PHED211: Health and Movement (3 hours)
  • SLP101: Language Development and Impairment (3 hours)
  • SPED101: Education of Exceptional Children (3 hours)

College Requirement Courses

• Required Courses (6 hours)
  • HSSR101: Fundamentals of Humanities and Social Sciences (3 hours)
  • HSSR103: People, Places, and Society (3 hours)

Political Science Compulsory Courses (Req. Ch: 45)

• Required Courses (45 hours)
  • PSG110: Fundamentals of Political Science (3 hours)
  • PSG120: Government & Politics of UAE (3 hours)
  • PSG130: Public Administration (3 hours)
  • PSG140: Fundamentals of Political Economy (3 hours)
  • PSG204: Human Capital Administration and Innovation (3 hours)
  • PSG242: Methods of Research in Political Science (3 hours)
  • PSG250: Principles of International Relations (3 hours)
  • PSG261: Political Thought (3 hours)
  • PSG270: Comparative Politics (3 hours)
  • PSG303: Public Leadership and Entrepreneurship (3 hours)
  • PSG321: Gulf Politics (3 hours)
  • PSG402: Emirati Political Thought (3 hours)
  • PSG386: Advanced Analysis in Public Administration and Politics (3 hours)
  • PSG425: Public Policy (3 hours)
  • PSG485: Integrated Capstone (3 hours)

Internship

• Required Course (3 hours)
  • PSG440: Internship 1 (3 hours)
  • Note: The internship is conducted over a complete semester. No courses are allowed to be registered during the internship.

Elective Courses

• Students should select four courses from the list below: (12 hours)
  • PSG255: International Organizations (3 hours)
  • PSG302: Diplomatic Systems (3 hours)
  • PSG305: Political Theory (3 hours)
  • PSG312: Foreign Policy of Arab States (3 hours)
  • PSG313: National Security (3 hours)
  • PSG315: International Political Economy (3 hours)
  • PSG352: Financial Policies and Budgeting in the UAE (3 hours)
  • PSG422: Foreign Policy of Global Powers (3 hours)
  • PSG430: Special Topics (3 hours)

Major Supporting Courses

• Students should choose either 5 courses from option 1 or 3 courses from option 1 and 2 from option 2.
• Option 1: (15 hours)
  • GEO210: Human Geography (3 hours)
  • HIS212: History of the UAE (3 hours)
  • ARB106: Professional Writing (3 hours)
  • HRMD310: Organizational Behavior (3 hours)
  • PUBL206: Administrative Law (3 hours)
  • PUBL114: Constitutional Law (3 hours)
  • ECON105: Principles of Microeconomics (3 hours)
  • MSC211: Principles of Oral Communication (3 hours)
  • MSC412: Public Opinion (3 hours)
  • SOC314: Political Sociology (3 hours)
• Option 2:
  • Choose one of the languages below: (6 hours)
    • Chinese Language (6 hours)
      • CHIN101: Chinese 1 for Beginners (3 hours)
      • CHIN102: Chinese 2 for Beginners (3 hours)
    • French Language (6 hours)
      • FCH101: French 1 for Beginners (3 hours)
      • FCH102: French 2 for Beginners (3 hours)
    • Korean Language (6 hours)
      • KOR101: Korean 1 for Beginners (3 hours)
      • KOR102: Korean 2 for Beginners (3 hours)
    • Spanish Language (6 hours)
      • SPN101: Spanish 1 for Beginners (3 hours)
      • SPN102: Spanish 2 for Beginners (3 hours)
    • German Language (6 hours)
      • GER101: German 1 for Beginners (3 hours)
      • GER102: German 2 for Beginners (3 hours)

Free Elective

• Free Elective (18 hours)