Politics Minor

The politics minor is designed for students who are interested in deepening their knowledge of international affairs, government, policy-making, and the political process in order to support their long-term career goals. Students seeking employment in local, state, or national government or non-governmental organizations which interact with government agencies will be particularly well-served by this minor program.

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • Students will describe key ideas and concepts underlying politics in-theory and in-practice
  • Students will evaluate how power influences institutions, political processes, and policy outcomes
  • Students will identify and explain the role of key political actors, institutions, and processes at local, state, national, and global level
  • Students will analyze the history of normative political thought and define contested concepts such as justice and liberty
  • Students will evaluate issues underlying contemporary political debates
  • Students will be able to contrast major political and socioeconomic systems, institutions, and policies around the world
  • Students will apply critical thinking skills and methods of political science to understand how governments and institutions interact with one another
  • Students will conduct research and synthesize primary and secondary sources to better understand past and present political dynamics
  • Students will communicate succinctly and effectively how political concepts and theories explain ongoing political developments in the United States and around the world

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.

History, Politics and Geography | Dr. Tori Smith | smithv1@farmingdale.edu | 934-420-2739

Fall 2026

Subject to revision

Required Courses (18 credits)
POL 105 Introduction to Politics 3
POL 250 American Politics OR
POL 251 State and Local Government 3
POL 262 Global Politics OR
POL 265 Comparative Politics OR
POL 370 International Relations 3
Any other POL course at the 200-level or higher 9

Curriculum Summary

Total Credits:  18

Printed on 4/7/26

2350 Broadhollow Road
Farmingdale, NY 11735-1021

934-420-2000

farmingdale.edu

POL 105 Introduction to Politics

This course will introduce students to the study of politics and to the discipline known as Political Science. Focusing on fundamental concepts of power and authority, the course will examine topics central to each of the main subfields of Political Science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Philosophy. It will also explore some contemporary issues and debates that captivate US politics.

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 262 Global Politics

An introduction to global politics which explores regional issues in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, the America etc., as well as genuinely transnational concerns such as pandemics, international terrorism, environmental degradation, etc. Prerequisite(s): Any 100-level or higher HIS or POL course.

POL 265 Comparative Politics

This course examines a broad range of governmental systems utilizing the comparative methods of analysis. In addition to analysis of selected political systems in the developed world (e.g., Great Britain, the United States, and the Russian Federation), students will also explore the governmental structures of at least one country in the developing world (India, Brazil, the People's Republic of China, etc.). Students will also compare plural democracies, monarchies, dictatorships, and neo-authoritarian forms of government, emphasizing policy-making and contemporary problems facing the state in era of globalization, such as the purported victory of neo-liberalism, the threat of terrorism, and the importance of satellite television and the Internet in shaping politics.

POL 370 International Relations

This course examines how the international political system was established and how it has changed since the Peace of Westphalia. Focusing on the role of states, complemented by a thorough analysis of non-state actors, students will investigate how the global system works and how the process of globalization is remaking the political and economic world. The art and purpose of diplomacy will also be explored. Prerequisite(s): Any 200-level or higher HIS, POL or GEO course.
Last Modified 4/6/26