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Basics
In a nutshell, Political Science is the academic
study of politics and government. In one sense, it is an ancient discipline. It remains central to any classical study of
the liberal arts, firmly grounded as it is in the work of Plato and Aristotle. In another sense, because it often deals with
current events and sophisticated statistical analysis, Political Science is a cutting-edge area of study. Whether you are
analyzing voting patterns in a presidential campaign, the Israeli parliament, or the pros and cons of different systems of
government, Political Science is timely, fascinating, and perpetually changing.
Like any liberal arts major, Political
Science makes no claims to be a pre-professional program. It certainly doesn't exist to teach disconnected facts about politics.
Instead, Political Science majors develop excellent critical thinking and communication skills and, more broadly, an understanding
of history and culture. Even more broadly, Political Science tackles those Big, Serious, Heavy, Eternal Questions. What is
the best way to reconcile individual desires and community needs? Is it possible to have both freedom and equality? Authority
and justice? Etc.
If you major in Political Science, you'll study everything from revolutions to political parties
to voting behavior to public policy. You are also likely to explore the political issues inherent to different regions of
the world, like the Middle East, East Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
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| If you are interested in Political
Science, You might also like ... |
| |
 Anthropology |
| Archeology |
| Architectural History |
| Asian-American Studies |
| Biblical Studies |
| East Asian Studies |
| East European Studies |
| Geography |
| Great Books |
| International Relations |
| Islamic Studies |
| Jewish Studies |
| Medieval and Renaissance Studies |
| Middle Eastern Studies |
| Philosophy |
| Public Policy Analysis |
| Religious Studies |
| Slavic Languages and Literatures |
| Sociology |
| South Asian Studies |
| Southeast Asia Studies |
| Theology |
| Urban Studies |
| Women's Studies |
Suggested High School Preparation
| Political Science involves heavy doses of reading,
writing, and often - if you can believe it - rigorous statistical analysis. Translation: math. We're not suggesting anything
nearly as challenging as A.P. calculus, but you should stay in practice. In addition, if you think you might major in Political
Science, concentrate primarily on honing your reading and writing skills. Take courses in American history, civics, world
history, and English composition, so you can get good at writing essays. Mastery of a foreign language is a big plus, too,
because you will probably be required to take several foreign language classes as a Political Science major. |
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Sample Undergraduate Curriculum
Political Science is a pretty broad subject, and
most departments offer a handful of concentrations for you to choose from. Some of the common concentrations are: American
Government, Public Policy, Foreign Affairs, Political Philosophy, and Comparative Government. Whatever concentration you choose
(or even if you don't choose one), you'll probably take a few of these courses:
Comparative Government
United States
Foreign Policy
International Political Economy
American Political Thought
Legislative Process
The American Presidency
Asian
Politics
Gender and Politics
Latin American Politics
Political Philosophy
Philosophy of Law
Politics and Religion
Internship
in State or Local Government
Data Analysis
Statistics |
Fun Facts
| The Legend of Cincinnatus |
According to Roman legend, the popularly elected
Senate of the early fledgling Republic found itself staring down a pressing military threat. A worried Senate delegation traveled
to the farm of one Lucius Quinctius Cincinnatus, a venerable retired general who was busy plowing his fields at the time,
and asked him to become the dictator of the Roman Republic during the crisis. Cincinnatus accepted and headed to Rome immediately,
leaving his plow right there in his field. The new dictator quickly attacked the enemy and, a few days later, Rome was victorious.
The elated Senate declared that Cincinnatus should remain the dictator of Rome. Wanting no part of absolute power, however,
Cincinnatus graciously declined. He went back to his field, picked up his plow where he had left it, and resumed his normal
life. What a guy!
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| Politics ain't beanbag. |
--Tip O'Neill, Speaker of the United States House
of Representatives (1977-87)
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Famous people who majored in Political Science
Jerry
Springer (trashy talk show host and one-time mayor of Cincinnati, Tulane University); Mia Hamm (world champion soccer player,
University of North Carolina); Earl Warren (United States Supreme Court justice, University of California Berkeley);Jane Pauley
(television journalist, Indiana University) |
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