Political Science

Political Science: Major

51С»Æ³µ 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 51С»Æ³µâ€™ 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.

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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

Donald Brand, professor of political science. Photo by Austin Bosworth
Bipartisanship Should Be the Guiding Star in Trump Impeachment, Says Political Science Professor
In a recent Fortune commentary, Donald Brand, professor of political science at 51С»Æ³µ, argues that rushing President Donald Trump’s ongoing Senate impeachment trial will only worsen America’s wounds. Instead we should let bipartisanship be the guiding star. According to Brand, …
Donald Brand, professor of political science. Photo by Austin Bosworth
Could the Electoral College Votes in 2020 Elections Be Overturned? Political Science Professor Explains
Vice President Mike Pence and Republicans in Congress have been under pressure to reject or delay the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump, set to take place during a formal joint session of Congress on January …
Nina Barzachka headshot
The Washington Post Highlights 51С»Æ³µ Political Science Professor’s Research on Mass Protests
Over the past six months, Bulgaria has been shaken by a wave of anti-government protests, with thousands of demonstrators demanding the resignation of its prime minister, but so far the unpopular regime has survived. Can these mass protests lead to …