The political science program at ODU focuses on the study of the state, government, and politics in the domestic and international realms. It is designed to give students an essential core of knowledge, and to develop their critical thinking and analytical skills. Students have the opportunity to study American politics, Virginia state and local politics, public law, international relations, and comparative politics. Both the B.A. and B.S. degrees are offered. The B.A. emphasizes complementary preparation in a foreign language through the intermediate level. The B.S. emphasizes development of quantitative research and data analysis skills.<br>In geography the department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees. The geography program is designed to give students a broad base of geographical training and an understanding of human-environment interrelationships, while providing an opportunity to specialize in one of three concentration areas: urban planning and emergency/hazards management, environment and resources, and geographical information systems (B.S. only). Undergraduate and graduate certificates in geographic information science and in spatial analysis of coastal environments are also offered. In addition to developing subject-area expertise, political science and geography courses are designed to build analytic and communication skills. Writing skills are emphasized throughout the curriculum. Undergraduates in most 400-level courses in political science and geography are required to make oral presentations in class. Instructors also strengthen students' verbal competency skills through in-class discussions. Students gain technical skills in lower and upper-level methods classes where computers are employed for data analysis and social science research.