BA/BS in Political Science and Government

The Department of Government aims to teach students about the nature and reach of political power and to set that understanding within its wider social and historical setting. Areas of study include what the public thinks, how institutions work, how states develop and how politics and markets interact. Courses also address the concerns of minority groups, the part gender plays in campaigns and elections, rivalry and collaboration among nations, and the politics of a globalized world. Students look at how authority is gained, exercised and challenged. The curriculum develops skills in analysis, research and persuasive writing. Graduates go on to law, public service, advocacy, journalism, international affairs, business and graduate study. The program suits students who want to understand how decisions are made, who benefits from them, and how citizens can influence the outcome.