St. Lawrence University
Homepage - Mission Statement
The Government Department at St. Lawrence University introduces students to a broad range of political values, theories, practices and institutions. Its focus is on issues of power and justice, and how these two elements complement and confront each other. The department engages students with these issues by encouraging them to examine their own political attitudes and beliefs, and to take an active interest in political life.
Courses in the department develop students' ability to express themselves clearly and concisely; to formulate and interrogate an argument; to reflect critically on the soundness of their own and others' points of view; to appreciate the variety of approaches that inform the discipline; and to acquire expertise and research literacy in its study. Ultimately, the department seeks to promote in students the habits of intellectual curiosity, self-reflection, and open-mindedness that are the hallmarks of lifelong learning.
The curriculum of the department is designed to educate students to be informed and inquisitive citizens and to be conscious of their rights and responsibilities within local, national, and global communities. To accomplish these goals, students will take courses in the following subfields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Theory. For qualified students who wish to deepen and expand their Government experience, internships and community based learning programs are available, as well as opportunities for independent and self-directed study.
Students may complete the Government major or elect a combined major of Government courses and any of the following areas: African studies, Asian studies, Canadian studies, or Environmental studies. Students may also choose to combine Government courses with the following minor programs: African studies, Asian studies, Canadian studies, Caribbean and Latin American studies, European studies, and Gender studies. For further information on these options, see the sections on Combined Majors and Program Minors in the Catalog.
Government majors are encouraged to participate in American University's semester program in Washington, with which St. Lawrence is affiliated, and/or St. Lawrence's programs in Austria, Canada, Costa Rice, Denmark, England, France, India, Japan, Kenya or Spain. For further information on these and related off-campus programs, see International and Intercultural Studies in the Catalog.
The department tries to maintain close student-faculty relationships through independent study projects, an honors program and a student preceptor program. Student preceptors work directly with the faculty and with underclassmen in tutorial and seminar groups.
A major in Government provides career opportunities in public service, law, teaching, business, journalism and many other fields. Students considering a Government major are strongly advised to elect Government 103 and 105 in their first year. The department also offers a minor.
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