Government Major with Regional Analysis and Public Policy Track – Bachelor of Arts
Faculty
M. Bessette (IRAPP), C. Emrich (IRAPP), W. Green, M. Hail (IRAPP), T. Hare (IRAPP), S. Lange (IRAPP), G. McBrayer (IRAPP), S. Parkansky (IRAPP), J. Pidluzny (IRAPP), B. Reeder (IRAPP), E. Reeves (IRAPP, Emeritus), D. Rudy (IRAPP, Emeritus)
The Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy (IRAPP), MSU's Program of Distinction, offers a track of 18 hours in regional analysis and public policy combined with the government major.
Program Competencies
Students are expected to possess:
The ability to exhibit knowledge of political conditions within the United States, including the working of formal and informal institutions and the role of conflict, special interest, power, and inequities in the policy making process.
- An understanding of the political systems in other countries, the relations between countries, and the functioning of international institutions. This is the basis for comparative study and evaluation of the United States political system.
- The ability to analyze the impact of government policies on social and economic conditions in the United States and other countries.
- The ability to recognize and value the varied nature of the human condition across individuals and culture groups through the practice of political analysis.
- The ability to use methods of political investigation, to conduct original studies, and to present findings from those investigations in written and oral formats.
- The ability to carry out studies in their area of expertise that include a significant analysis of regional resources and issues.
- The ability to present research and policy reports that are comprehensible to audiences of various public policymakers.
- The ability to interpret the output of regional resource analyses and their potential use in formulating public policymakers.
Assessment Procedures
Capstone course
Program Requirements (Government Major - Regional Analysis Track)
General Education
| | General Education courses | variable |
| GOVT 230 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 499C | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 36 |
Major Requirements
Required Introductory Courses
| GOVT 141 | United States Government | 3 |
| GOVT 180 | Introduction to Political Theory | 3 |
| GOVT 230 | Introduction to Comparative Politics | 3 |
| GOVT 289 | Methods of Political Inquiry | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Required Electives
Choose three from the following:
| GOVT 242 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| GOVT 329 | North American Politics: United States and Canada | 3 |
| GOVT 344 | Kentucky Government | 3 |
| GOVT 347 | American Public Policy | 3 |
| GOVT 351 | Public Administration | 3 |
| GOVT 364 | International Relations | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 9 |
Regional Analysis Courses
| RAPP 202 | Basic Computer Techniques in Regional Analysis | 3 |
| RAPP 203 | Society, Nature and Development | 3 |
| RAPP 300 | Seminar in Regional Issues I | 3 |
| RAPP 350 | Practicing Regional Analysis I | 3 |
| RAPP 450 | Practicing Regional Analysis II | 3 |
| RAPP 490 | Seminar in Regional Issues II | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Minor
Free Electives
(Any GOVT or PS elective, including courses not selected in "Required Electives")
| | Free Electives | variable |
| Total Credit Hours: | 24 |
Total Credit Hours: 120