Daemen College : Academics & Research : Division of Arts & Sciences : History & Political Science

History & Political Science

Welcome to the web page for the History & Political Science Department at Daemen College. You will find information about our majors, minors, affiliated programs of study, student clubs, and profiles of faculty members who teach courses in our department. Our mission is to help you develop a deeper understanding of our world and to help you learn to navigate the world of ideas.

Our Majors

As an History major you will take foundational and advanced coursework in world and American history. Students develop strong analytical, writing, and research skills, with coursework grounded in the discipline of History (HST) and in Arts & Sciences disciplines of your choice.

The Political Science major provides you with foundational courses in the major subfields of the discipline: International Relations, American Politics, Comparative Politics and Public Policy, with the opportunity to build coursework in these subfield specializations of your choice. The major also includes a political science research methods course as part of your senior thesis sequence.

History & Political Science is a unique double major that integrates coursework in History (HST) and Political Science (PSC). You will complete foundational courses in both disciplines, but as you advance in the major, you can direct your emphasis more toward either History or Political Science.

The History & Political Science - Adolescent Education Specialization major is designed for students who plan to become high school teachers. This major combines foundational and advanced courses in History, Political Science and Education.

The History & Political Science - Environmental Specialization major combines foundational and advanced coursework in History, Political Science, and the Natural Sciences. This major prepares students for careers in the fields of environmental policy.

All of our majors culminate with a senior thesis project. You will choose an original research question for your capstone research project, conducting research at the end of your junior year and writing the thesis in the Fall semester of your senior year. This project gives you the opportunity for an in-depth exploration of a topic connected to your own intellectual interests and future career. Researching and writing your thesis provides an opportunity for advanced, independent research under the close guidance of faculty members. The project will become part of your educational portfolio, serving as a writing exemplar for graduate studies, and demonstrating to future employers your proficiency in conceptualizing and completing a long-term project.

Key Features

Faculty members are dedicated to teaching excellence; courses are taught by experienced professors, not teaching assistants
Small classes enhance interaction and provide personal attention to each student
Our minors give the opportunity for customized learning
Experiential learning opportunities connect classroom knowledge to the real world. These include Moot Court, Model U.N., internships, career field experiences, public history, and international travel
Faculty members provide student advisement for law school application, graduate studies, internships, and co-curricular activities
Student clubs (the History & Government Club and the Pre-Law Student Association) offer opportunities for extracurricular and on-campus activities, and for developing leadership skills