Program Overview
The Political Science program offers courses for students interested in understanding government and politics at the international, national, state, and local level. The mission of the program is to provide students with both a substantive knowledge of politics and the skills necessary to make use of that knowledge effectively, not only as private citizens participating in a democracy, but also in a wide range of careers.
To accomplish these goals, our students are exposed to both the theory and practice of politics. The department’s faculty covers a broad range of substantive specializations, encompassing American politics, comparative politics, constitutional law, international relations, and political theory.
Our courses also strive to instill in students a number of important skills, including critical thinking, analysis, writing, and the practical application of ideas to real world situations. The combination of substantive knowledge and practical skills instilled by courses in the department provide a solid background to help our students to excel as leaders in a variety of fields, including politics, government service, law, teaching, and business.