Bachelor's Degree Program in Political Science and Communication
2009/2010 Academic Year
The Bachelor's Degree Program in Political Science and Communication is a three-year, 180 credits (ECTS credits) program. The language of instruction is Italian.
The Program aims at providing analytical and conceptual foundations, as well as a strong interdisciplinary education. Its main distinctive feature is the multidisciplinary curriculum it offers, achieved through the study of cross disciplines and the approach of methods and subject matter from varied modes of inquiry.
By the end of their undergraduate study, students acquire the knowledge, tools and methods required to examine and break down complex problems (subjects involved, development areas, cause-effect relationships with other problems), and make first-stage decisions and problem-solving associated to the social science environment.
In first part of university education, the Bachelor's Degree Program in Political Science and Communication mainly has a traditional curriculum based on the acquisition of conceptual foundations, as it is considered most effective. A more specific education is achieved at a second stage, through undergraduate majors. Special attention is placed to the final qualification exam. While thesis topics are not required to be original, students must prove their acquired ability to analyze and summarize problems.
Undergraduate Majors
When applying to the admission exam, students are required to specify the major they have selected:
- Major in Political Science and International Relations
- Major in Communication
The Program aims to meet the following educational goals:
- Knowledge and understanding: the academic curriculum provides a broad theoretical base in a number of disciplines, which are common to both undergraduate majors. Students therefore acquire a strong methodological, sociological, political, historical, legal, economic, statistic education, as well as mastery in study and research tools (which will be further developed through Graduate studies).
- Applied knowledge and understanding: in their second academic year, through a continuous interdisciplinary approach, students are supplied with a more specific education with two major fields of study: Major in Political Science and International Relations (in-depth study of international phenomena, under a legal, economic and historical point of view) and Major in Communication (in-depth study of communication phenomena, under a semiotic, sociological and legal point of view).
- Communication and language skills (Italian): to improve their ability to speak and write correctly in Italian, students are required to take a "Writing Lab", which enhances their mastery in Italian and introduces the main elements of communication (writing articles, presentation, scientific contributions).
- Communication and language skills: both majors place special attention to language skills. At the end of their studies, students must have acquired mastery (oral and written) in two languages from the European Union. Language courses are held by native speaking lecturers, and mid-term assessments are certified by top language schools. Professional language courses are held by LUISS professors which conclude with a final exam.
