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The examination of governance and human decision-making represents both one of the oldest fields of study and one of the newest social sciences. Political exploration traces its roots to humanity's earliest recorded societies, as people have continually sought to understand governmental structures, sources of authority, leadership characteristics, civic responsibilities, and policy outcomes. While these traditional concerns remain relevant, modern research now incorporates scientific approaches to political phenomena, employing contemporary analytical methods shared across social science disciplines. Current scholarship prioritizes methodical research processes, stringent evidence requirements, cross-national comparisons, and multidisciplinary perspectives. The Political Science Department provides degree programs including Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Public Administration, and Doctor of Arts. For undergraduates pursuing BA or BS degrees, options include a political science major or a pre-law concentration. The pre-law track doesn't mandate specific coursework; instead, an advisory committee helps students design personalized curricula aligned with their professional aspirations.