American Politics Minor
The American Politics minor examines how power, institutions, and ideas shape governance and public life in the United States. Students study enduring foundations such as federalism, separation of powers, and the Constitution, while also engaging with judicial politics, social justice, women in politics, and energy and environmental policy. Contemporary perspectives on media and culture further highlight how politics permeates everyday experience. By situating politics in the American context, the minor enables students to connect their primary fields of study to enduring debates and pressing issues in US governance.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Describe and analyze the key components of American government including federalism, separation of powers, and democratic representation
- Identify the key institutions in American government and how they operate
- Analyze political behavior at both the electorate and elite levels
- Use foundational and recent political science research to understand current events in the United States
About Academic Minors
Farmingdale State College students are invited to enhance their studies with an "Academic
Minor." A minor is a cluster of thematically related courses drawn from one or more
departments. In addition to department based minors (e.g. computer programming & info
systems), interdisciplinary minors are also available (e.g. legal studies).
Academic minors are approved by the College-Wide Curriculum Committee and the Provost. Students must make application for an academic minor through the department offering the minor in conjunction with the Registrar's Office Specific course work must be determined in consultation with a faculty member in the department offering the minor. A statement of successful completion of the academic minor will appear on the student's transcript at the time of graduation.
A minor is considered to be an optional supplement to a student's major program of
study.
Completion of a minor is not a graduation requirement and is subject to the availability
of the courses selected. However, if the requirements for a minor are not completed
prior to certification of graduation in the major, it will be assumed that the minor
has been dropped. Consequently, the student will only be certified for graduation
in their primary major.
Only students in 4 year baccalaureate programs can apply for a minor.
A minor should consist of 15 to 21 credits.
At least 12 credits must be in courses at the 200 level or higher.
At least 9 credits must be residency credits.
Specific requirements for each minor are determined by the department granting the
minor.
Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 in their minor. Some
minors may require a higher GPA.
Students are prohibited from declaring a minor in the same discipline as their major
(e.g. one cannot combine an applied math minor with an applied math major). Academic
minors may not apply to all curricula.
Students are permitted to double-count courses.
Students are only permitted to take more than one minor with appropriate written approval
of their department chair or curriculum Dean.
Admission to Farmingdale State College - State University of New York is based on the qualifications of the applicant without regard to age, sex, marital or military status, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.
Contact Information
History, Politics and Geography
Dr. Timothy Nicholson
Memorial Hall, 221
934-420-2739
hpg@farmingdale.edu
Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Fall 2026
Subject to revision
| Required Courses | (6 credits) |
|---|---|
| POL 250 American Politics | 3 |
| POL 251 State and Local Government | 3 |
| Electives (take 9 credits from any of the following courses) | (9 credits) |
|---|---|
| POL 210 Legal Reasoning and Judicial Politics | 3 |
| POL 264 Public Administration* | 3 |
| POL 270 American Political Institutions | 3 |
| POL 301 American Foreign policy | 3 |
| POL 313 Taylor Swift and Politics | 3 |
| POL 315 Political Psychology | 3 |
| POL 325 Women in American Politics | 3 |
| POL 330 21st Century Energy Policy | 3 |
| POL 333 American Campaigns and Elections | 3 |
| POL 340 Constitutional Law and Politics | 3 |
| POL 344 DEI History, Politics, and Policy* | 3 |
| POL 345 American Parties and Partisanship | 3 |
| POL 350 Administrative Law* | 3 |
| POL 364 Advanced Public Administration* | 3 |
| POL 390 Environmental Politics | 3 |
| POL 398 DC Internship* | 3 |
| POL 399 NYS Legislative Internship* | 3 |
Curriculum Summary
* Students enrolled in the PAP major cannot double count these electives for the American Politics minor
POL 250 American Politics
This course introduces students to American Politics by focusing on national politics. In addition to examining the structure of U.S. government at the federal level, this course will also investigate American political behavior (especially political parties, elections, voting) and selected policy debates the animate contemporary political discussion. NOTE: Students cannot earn credit for POL 250 and POL 250*D POL 250*D can be used to fulfill the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice requirement.
POL 251 State and Local Government
An examination of the structures and purposes of state, county, and municipal political institutions, emphasizing the importance of citizen participation in community affairs and the election process, in enhancing the effectiveness of state legislatures and judicial systems, county and municipal government, and the protection of civil rights through law enforcement.
POL 264 Public Administration
Introduces the role of public administration in governance at the local, regional, state, and federal level. Topics include the development of public administration as a profession and as an academic discipline; administrative and organizational theory; decision-making; the effect of politics; how policies are evaluated; as well as the roles of management, budgeting, finance, accountability, and ethics. By reading and discussing classic texts, and through analysis of case studies, students will understand the institutions, processes, and values that underlie the administration of public policy in both government and non-profit settings. Prerequisite(s): EGL 101 and any 100-level POL course both with a C or higher.
POL 301 American Foreign Relations
This course examines American foreign relations in the post-World War Il era, assessing the country's transition from isolationism to the adoption of mutual security agreements during the Cold War. Washington's changing orientations since 1991 will be explored in detail, particularly new security relationships that were established in the wake of 9/11. Key topics will include diplomacy, national interest, grand strategy, and the promotion of democracy, human rights, and free markets abroad. Prerequisite(s): POL 105 or any 200-level or higher HIS/POL/GEO course
POL 313 Taylor Swift and Politics
This course examines the political influence and impact of Taylor Swift. Throughout American history, women were often excluded from the political sphere. Yet, in recent years women have made tremendous gains in electoral politics. In addition to women's representation increasing in the modern era, the influence of women celebrities has also grown. This class traces cultural changes to discern how women's power has grown over the past few decades with particular emphasis on the rise of political elites and the influence they hold. Using Taylor Swift as a prism, this course explores several concepts from political science, such as political behavior and psychology, media and politics, and polarization, among others. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher POL course
POL 330 21st Century Energy Policy
In this course, students will examine pivotal questions of U.S. and global energy policy. Topics covered will include the development of alternatives and emerging technologies, energy efficiency, government intervention in markets, and the future role of conventional sources. While the focus is on the electricity sector, the roles played by food production and transportation will be considered as well. Students will also evaluate the role of localities and states, paying particular attention to how they are responding to changes in federal policy. Prerequisite(s): Any 200 level or higher social science Course with a grade of C or higher
POL 340 Constitutional Law and Politics
This course provides students with a foundational knowledge of US Constitutional law and the political context surrounding Supreme Court nominations and judicial decision-making. Students will be introduced to a wide range of topics: the origins, philosophical underpinnings, and structure of the US Constitutional system; the scope of federal and state authority; separation of powers; liberty interests arguably inherent in various Constitutional provisions; as well as the role of the judiciary—and Supreme Court specifically—in the American polity. Students will learn about, and apply, techniques of constitutional interpretation, and will brief recent Supreme Court decisions and communicate their findings to the class. Prerequisite(s): POL 110 and any other 200-level or higher Social Science course
POL 344 DEI: History, Politics, and Policy
This course examines diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies. American history is tumultuous and rife with institutions that were designed to exclude various minority groups. DEI policies were developed as a way to combat these systemic prejudices. This course first delves into the history of DEI policy and discuss the circumstances that led to their development. The course further examines how to read and understand these policies and analyze the impact that they've had. Finally, the course explores the recent debates surrounding DEI policy and discusses possibilities for what a future with and without DEI policies may look like. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher POL course
POL 350 Administrative Law
This course offers an in-depth exploration of administrative law, emphasizing its role in shaping public administration and governance in the United States. Building on foundational knowledge from prior coursework in legal studies and politics, students will delve into the complex interplay between administrative agencies, the executive branch, and the judiciary. Key topics will include the federal and state agency rule making and adjudication processes, the legal requirements of private companies and non-profits funded by public money, the formation and ultimate reversal of the Chevron Doctrine, and how administrative law ensures that agencies operate within legal and ethical boundaries, or how it doesn't. Prerequisite(s): POL 110 and any 200-level or higher POL course
POL 390 Environmental Politics
This course examines the evolution of the environmental movement in the U.S. and worldwide, focusing on the debate over environmental protection, policy-making, and the political ramifications for the national governments. Biodiversity, climate change, population issues, water pollution, regulation of emissions, land preservation, energy policy, transnational cooperation, eco-terrorism, and theories of the global commons will all be explored from a domestic and global perspective. Prerequisite(s): Any 100-level or higher HIS or POL course.
POL 398 Washington DC Internship
This option is available to students admitted to the Washington Internship Institute (WII) program that is affiliated with Farmingdale State College. A wide variety of internships are available in government offices, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit companies. Recent Farmingdale students have been placed at the IRS, the non-profit “No Labels,” The Center for American Democracy, CNN, the Iraqi Embassy, and Capitol Hill offices. The four-day per week internship is supplemented by two courses: an internship seminar and an extra course selected by the student. Prerequisite(s): Approval by Study Abroad Office and Student's Department Chair Corequisite(s): Sophomore, Junior, or Senior status
POL 399 NYS Legislative Internship
For students participating in the full-time New York State Assembly and Senate Legislator Session Internship programs. Students work as staff members in their assigned State Legislator/Senator's office a minimum of 30 hours a week, conducting. During the internship, students participate in seminars, mock legislative sessions, and weekly research and written assignments. A written report on the internship experience is required of the student at the conclusion of the internship. Internships are open only to qualified junior and seniors with an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher through a competitive selection process. Spring semester only. Note: Students must consult with the Campus Liaison Office to determine credit value to be assigned. Prerequisite(s): Permission of the Department Chair and Junior/Senior Level status and admission to NYS Assembly/Senate Internship Program.