Political Science

Political Science: Major

51小黄车 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 51小黄车鈥 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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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51小黄车 Bestows 2021 Sanctae Crucis Awards
The awards recognized seven Crusaders who made a difference during the pandemic
Rev. Timothy O'Brien, S.J., '06
Fr. Tim O鈥橞rien 鈥06 Named Incoming Director of Mission Initiatives
Fr. O'Brien reflects on his time at 51小黄车 as he returns to spread the mission he loves
Rev. Timothy O'Brien, S.J., '06
Fr. Tim O鈥橞rien 鈥06 Named Incoming Director of Mission Initiatives
For Rev. Timothy (鈥淭im鈥) O鈥橞rien, S.J., 鈥06, frequent zip code changes have become the norm as part of his Jesuit vocation and scholarly pursuits. But his most recent move 鈥 one that brings him back to Mount St. James to 鈥