Moderation + Requirements

Areas of Study
Courses in the Political Studies program are divided into four subfields: political theory, American politics, comparative politics, and international relations. Political theory courses examine the tradition of thinking and writing about political questions and problems. American politics courses focus on the functioning and development of the American political system. Comparative politics traditionally focuses on non–U.S. politics, but it also seeks to develop theories that explain political phenomena across countries with a common set of analytical tools. International relations examines the relationships of states in anarchy and investigates the structure, functioning, and transformative potential of the international system.
Program Requirements
Photo by Chris Kayden

Program Requirements

Prior to or concurrent with Moderation, a student must take five courses in the program, including three from the core curriculum (see the Courses page). After Moderation, students are required to take three Politics seminars, which are 300-level intensive seminars in the program. Depending on the interests of the student and the intended subject of the Senior Project, and with the approval of the academic adviser, one of these seminars may come from another social science discipline, such as economics or sociology; from study abroad; or from Bard’s Global and International Affairs (BGIA) Program in New York City. All students are required to complete a Senior Project that examines a political problem/puzzle or that synthesizes the political science literature on a major subject, such as democracy, development, or war.

Moderation Requirements

Political Studies Moderation boards aim to assess the student’s performance in the Lower College, interest in politics as an academic field of study, and capacity to undertake course work in the Upper College and to complete a Senior Project. Students are required to write a Moderation response paper (a response to one of four assigned readings), together with two other papers: a self-critical evaluation of past work done within the program and a detailed plan for the Upper College, including any plans for study abroad and ideas for the Senior Project.

Typically students moderate in the spring semester of their sophomore year. Moderations are held over spring Advising Days and are organized centrally through the program. The program will determine the student’s Moderation board, which will include a mix of Political Studies faculty from the four subfields. Instructions on how to sign up for a Moderation board and submit the required Moderation papers will be emailed to the student early in the spring semester.

Fall Moderations are generally discouraged and must be organized individually by the student’s adviser.