Bachelor of Arts in Political Science

at Shorelight Group - Cleveland State University USA

Philosophy addresses fundamental questions about human knowledge and existence from constructive and critical perspectives. Students examine important historical and contemporary theories concerning ethics, social justice, reality and the nature and extent of knowledge. Logic is also central to philosophy, since the critical evaluation of the reasons given for ideas is as important as the study of the ideas themselves. For this reason, philosophy classes are well known for the presentation of philosophical problems and issues in a manner that stimulates questions, discussion, and a general appreciation for the pursuit of truth.

A philosophy major or minor is excellent preparation for fields such as law and business, which rely on skills of critical thinking, as well as for fields such as medicine and social work, where practitioners face ethical dilemmas in their work. Though useful in many careers, the study of philosophy can be expected to enrich a person's life beyond the rewards of the marketplace, through a deeper understanding of important beliefs and their foundations.

Sociologists study human behavior in industrialized societies. Sometimes this behavior involves personal relationships, perhaps among teenagers or the elderly, sometimes the difficulties facing the urban poor or drug addicts, sometimes the development of modern nation-states and political conflict. Sociology open new windows--challenging conventional wisdom, dissolving myths about social reality, illuminating how the world is socially constructed and clarifying our options and choices.

Sociology students at Cleveland State University are taught to analyze modern social problems scientifically. In addition, they are taught how to do research about these issues using statistics, interviews and participant observation. Good research requires a grasp of the "sociological imagination"--the connections between historical, large-scale social forces and biography, the ways in which people live and understand their lives.

Majors in sociology develop the critical thinking and writing skills basic to a sound liberal arts education; they learn research skills and an understanding of the sociological perspective. This prepares them for a wide range of careers: some students use the degree as preparation for graduate work in one of the social sciences or law, others work in human resource management, social service, criminal justice, corporations or schools.

Psychology is a field of study that covers a broad spectrum of topics that have real-world applications. As one of the university’s most popular majors for undergraduate students, Psychology serves as an excellent foundation for careers in healthcare, business, sales and marketing, social service, and education. Of course, the study of Psychology at the graduate level also serves as a gateway to, and preparation for, careers in research or applied Psychology.

The BFA in Film & Media Arts is a professional training degree program to prepare students for careers in film and media arts. FMA majors use creative problem solving to craft narratives with subtext and emotional depth, bolstered by precise industry skills. Tracks of Writing and Directing, Acting and Directing, Writing and Producing, Cinematography, Postproduction, and Interactive Media allow for discipline focus and opportunities for collaborative projects of increasing sophistication.

Environmental science focuses on ecosystem management, the effects of pollutants on ecosystems, ways to restore polluted environments to their natural state, and effective strategies toward minimizing pollution (preventative management). The Environmental Science major at Cleveland State University provides education in the fundamentals of all the major areas of modern Environmental Science, training in current laboratory skills, as well as environmental policy.

The Design concentration provides students with a strong foundation for careers in Graphic Design and other creative fields. Design students begin their studies with introductory courses in Typography and Visual Technology, and continue into advanced courses and electives that include Web Design, Motion Graphics, 3D Modeling, Corporate Identity, Data Visualization, Information Design, Illustration, and Photography. The Design faculty collaborate with a wide range of organizations to bring real-world experiences into their courses and many Design students do internships with employers throughout the city of Cleveland.

The Studio Art concentration is a diverse and flexible program that allows students to follow their own individual interests while developing their creative and expressive capacities. Studio Art students begin their studies with Foundations courses in Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture, and continue into advanced electives in these areas along with Illustration, Visual Technology, and Digital Art. In addition to preparing students to be professional artists, the Studio Art program provides students with the skills that employers want in college graduates, including critical thinking, problem solving, and effective oral and written communication.

The ability to adapt and thrive in diverse business environments is more crucial than ever before in today’s increasingly interdependent global economy.

Studying international business provides students an opportunity to learn and think about the world of business on a global scale. Students gain knowledge and skills required for international business careers while developing an understanding of the political, cultural and regulatory environments that shape international business and trade. International business students learn necessary accounting, finance, supply chain, marketing and management skills that prepare them to succeed in managing multi-national corporations as well as large national firms, medium- and small-sized business expand into international markets.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow. Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks. Database administrators use specialized software to store and organize data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They make sure that data are available to users and are secure from unauthorized access. Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities are continually expanding as the number of cyberattacks increases. Web developers design and create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site. They are also responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website’s speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.

Computer programmers write and test code that allows computer applications and software programs to function properly. They turn the program designs created by software developers and engineers into instructions that a computer can follow. Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some develop the applications that allow people to do specific tasks on a computer or another device. Others develop the underlying systems that run the devices or that control networks. Database administrators use specialized software to store and organize data, such as financial information and customer shipping records. They make sure that data are available to users and are secure from unauthorized access. Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems. Their responsibilities are continually expanding as the number of cyberattacks increases. Web developers design and create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site. They are also responsible for the site’s technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website’s speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.