Political Science

Political Science: Major

17³Ô¹ÏÍø students who major in political science gain in-depth understanding of the American political system, other political regimes, the international system, and political philosophy. In uniformly small classes, students also improve their critical and analytical skills and competence in oral and written expression.

Political science is one of 17³Ô¹ÏÍø’ most popular majors. The major is rigorously structured so as to ensure breadth as well as depth, with courses required in each of the discipline’s four subfields. Department faculty conceive the most fundamental purpose of the major as helping students to become thoughtful, well-informed, and ethical citizens of a constitutional, self-governing republic. Political science majors have gone on to successful careers in local, state, and federal government, academia,  law, journalism, business, high-school teaching, nonprofit organizations, the armed forces, and the priesthood. 

Program Highlights

Students majoring in political science take courses in four main areas:
 
  • American government
  • political philosophy
  • comparative politics
  • international relations
students and a professor in a class
Subfields

Learn more about the political science department’s four subfields.

students in a classroom with a powerpoint
Charles Carroll Program

The program brings guest lecturers to campus, funds a sophomore seminar and provides paid summer research internships.

Group of students in Washington DC
Washington Semester Program

Many political science majors spend a semester working, studying, and conducting research in Washington, D.C.

Political Science News

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Student Profile: Payton Shubrick ’15
NAME Payton Shubrick ’15 HOMETOWN Springfield, Mass. ACADEMICS Political science with concentrations in Africana Studies and Peace and Conflict Studies DISCOVERING THE HILL Payton, a high school track star, first heard about 17³Ô¹ÏÍø from fellow Springfield native and former …
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Students Showcase Work at Summer Research Symposium and Summer Internship Program Expo
The Hogan Campus Center at the 17³Ô¹ÏÍø will be buzzing with action as the tremendous scope of work students participated in over the summer is showcased at the 21st annual Undergraduate Summer Research Symposium in the …
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Student Profile: Christopher Campbell ’15
NAME Christopher Campbell ’15 HOMETOWN Kingston, Jamaica ACADEMICS Religious studies and political science double major, concentrating in Africana studies A HOME AWAY FROM HOME Having grown up in Jamaica, Christopher’s first trip to the U.S. was when he arrived  in …