Department of Political Science

Political science is the systematic study of government and politics. It deals with the making and implementing of public policy by means of decisions regarded as authoritative or binding for society.

Although lines of interdisciplinary specialization are not rigidly fixed, the principal sub-fields include political theory, American government and politics, comparative government and politics, and international relations. Within those sub-fields are more specialized areas of study such as political behavior and public opinion, political parties and interest groups, legislative process, the executive and public administration, public law and judicial behavior, and state and local government.

The department offers a major (13 required courses), as well as a minor (7 courses).