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. Jeffery S. Gaab | hpg@farmingdale.edu | 934-420-2739

Fall 2024

Subject to revision


No more than 3 credits (1 course) at the 100-level

At least 6 credits (2 courses) at the 300 level or above, including RAM 303

At least 9 credits (3 courses) must be taken at Farmingdale State College

All courses except RAM 303 must be in Politics (POL)

Selection of courses will depend on the interests of the student

Curriculum Summary

Total Credits:  15
Printed on 12/13/24

2350 Broadhollow Road
Farmingdale, NY 11735-1021

934-420-2000

farmingdale.edu

RAM 303 Research Experience

This hands-on research experience with a faculty mentor is the culminating experience for students enrolled in the Research Aligned Mentorship (RAM) program. Students will be placed in research experiences on the Farmingdale Campus or off-campus in major universities, research laboratories, businesses, industry, government, horticultural gardens, and other settings that fit their academic interests and career goals.
Last Modified 6/17/24