The Government Department’s learning objectives for graduating majors are as follows:

• Students will understand the difference between normative and empirical statements, and be familiar with the different types of argument that apply to each.
• Students will communicate political ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
• Students will describe and understand the importance of basic political concepts, such as liberty, equality, democracy, power, and representation.
• Students will be able to analyze the interplay between global and national political processes.
• Students will be able to conduct political research.
• Students will have the ability to understand the effects of differences in the structure of political institutions.
• Students will understand the relationship between political values and political institutions.