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Community Service
The department offers students structured opportunities to participate in community service that is
relevant to the educational goals of the department and of our students. Service can occur on a
free lance basis, through courses in the form of service-learning, as interns, etc. The department
is afifliated with the International Institute of Rhode Island, a non-profit agency in Providence that
provides various services for newer Americans. Student should inquire with faculty if they are interested.
Department Office
The Department office in Howley Hall has information about internships, opportunities to study abroad,
career opportunities, graduate schools, etc. This material is updated regularly. Students should visit
the Department to consult bulletin boards and to check on the latest pamphlets and brochures: there are
wall racks and bulletin boards throughout the third floor of Howley Hall, with information on summer study,
foreign travel, internship opportunities, graduate schools and financial assistance for graduate study,
information of specific interest to women and minority students, etc. Consult with the department secretary
if you need help locating information.
Departmental Advising System
Each political science Major is assigned a faculty advisor. Ideally, each student's advisor will be the same faculty member throughout the student's four years at PC, but sometimes changes are necessary because of leaves of absences or changes of personnel. Faculty advisor lists are posted each semester on a bulletin board on the third f loor of Howley Hall. Students may contact their advisor at any time to discuss any aspect of their academic work. Faculty post office hours on their office doors, or students can call the Department office for information about appointments. Students may use Voice-Mail or email to leave a message for any member of the Department.
Students must meet with their advisor at least once a semester at course registration time to review degree audit
reports; to discuss courses, requirements, and options; and to pick up the course pre-registration card (which is
needed for pre-registration for the next semester's courses). Faculty members usually require their advisees to make
an appointment for counseling before they will sign registration cards. At least a week or so before course pre-registration
time, students should contact either their advisor or the department secretary to make an appointment.
Graduate School Advisor
The Political Science Department designates one faculty member as the graduate school advisor. That faculty member
can assist students who wish to pursue graduate study, and will discuss graduate school with any student considering
that route. Bulletin Boards on the third floor of Howley include posters and brochures from various schools, and a good
deal of additional information is available for anybody who wants it. Students interested in considering graduate study
should check with the Political Science Department office (email: polisci@providence.edu) to see who is serving currently
as the graduate school advisor.
Internships
The Political Science Department values internships and other types of experiential learning. Dr. Mark Hyde is the
Department's Internship coordinator, and oversees Providence College's participation in the Rhode Island State House Internship program.
It is possible for a limited number of students (usually Seniors) to design their own internships for academic credit.
Interested students should consult with their academic advisor or with Dr. Hyde, at least one semester prior to any proposed internship.
The Department does not require an internship experience of its Majors, but strongly supports student involvement in
these sorts of activities, always within a supervised academic context.
"Normal" Progress
"Normal" progress for Majors is to finish the Sophomore year with three or four courses in the Department, and then take
two Political Science courses per semester after that until all requirements are met.
Students should regularly check their Degree Audit Report, either at the Records office or in the Department office,
to ensure that they are making satisfactory progress towards Department and College Core requirements.
Students need not take a Political Science course every semester, if they are making satisfactory progress towards
meeting Department requirements.
Normal progress may be delayed if a student plans to take a semester or year abroad, or if a student joins the
Department as a transfer student or as a Junior, for example.
Students must consult with the Chair when considering studying abroad.
Other Programs
The Political Science Department urges its Majors to consider enrolling in other programs at Providence College,
so as to complement one's education in the Department. Possible programs include the Women's Studies Program, the
Black Studies Program, the Environmental Studies Program, the Latin American Studies Program, the Public
Administration Program, the Business Studies Track, and the Feinstein Institute for Public Service programs, to name just a few.
Often, students have the opportunity to count some courses against two or more sets of requirements when they
participate in these and other such programs.
PC-SCE or Transfer Credits
Students frequently ask about earning credit for courses they take in the School of Continuing Education at
Providence College or for courses they take at other institutions.
Generally, the Department does not accept SCE courses for credit towards the Political Science major, even
if the Dean's office accepts the course for credit towards the BA or BS degree.
To arrange for credit for summer courses in the SCE or for summer courses taken at other institutions,
including courses taken during a Junior year abroad program, students should consult with the department
Chair BEFORE registering for courses.
Pre-Law advisor
Professor John Abbruzzese is Providence College's pre-Law advisor and head of the Pre-Law Program. He can provide information about the undergraduate Law courses taught at the College, and about Law Schools, careers, etc. Prof. Abbruzzese can be contacted through the following means:
Phone: 865-1030
Office: Siena Hall 135
Email: jabbruzz@providence.edu
Prerequisites
Generally, Political Science students should finish the Department's Introductory Sequence (PSC 101 and PSC 102)
before taking upper division courses.
Although the Political Science Department has relatively few specific pre-requisites for courses, students should
always consult the College Registration Booklet before signing up for courses, because some upper division courses
require students to have completed earlier courses before enrolling.
Some courses require specific permission of the instructor before enrolling. This information is updated every
semester in the Course Registration Booklet.
PSC Honors Program
The Political Science Department's Honors Program is for qualified Juniors and Seniors. Briefly, the Honors Program requires:
1. twelve courses in Political Science (instead of the normal eleven);
2. at least one seminar course in Political Science; and
3. a two semester thesis project (during the Senior year) under the guidance of a member of the faculty.
(A faculty committee reading the thesis must certify the thesis as being of Honors quality.)
Students interested in the Department's Honors Program should have an outstanding record and should talk
with faculty about the process during their Junior year. Successful completion of the Political Science Honors
Program will be noted on the student's academic transcripts.
Washington Semester
Providence College is affiliated with American University's Washington Semester program, which annually include some
Majors from the Political Science Department. Students apply to compete for these limited positions. PSC students
should talk with Professer Mark Hyde about the process.
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