Political Science, BS

Political science explores how governments are structured and how they resolve societal conflicts and provide for the public good. Political science also explores the roles that people can play in their governments and the actions people take to influence public policy to serve them and their communities.

Graduates have career options in fields as varied as government, nonprofit management, international affairs, campaigns, special and public interest lobbying, journalism, law, and teaching. With its mix of theoretical and empirical approaches to studying politics, the field of political science prepares women and men for fulfilling careers, lifelong learning, and active and effective citizenship.

The Bachelor of Science program in Political Science imparts to students an understanding of:

1. The scope and purpose of governments in civil society;
2. The origins, goals, and limitations of democratic governments;
3. The structure and functions of the institutions of American governments;
4. The similarities and differences in the structures and functions of the governments of other countries;
5. The nature of the relationships among the many governments in the international community; and
6. The rights and responsibilities of citizens in a variety of governmental systems and as members of the global community.

The Political Science major offers courses in the major subfields of political science: political institutions, political theory, international relations, comparative politics, public policy, and political science research methods. Students in the major must take PS 120 , PS 121 , PS 212 , PS 217 , PS 210 , and either PS 313  or PS 314 . The remaining 18 Political Science credits required for the major are selected by the student.

For more information about the Political Science department, visit its website.