Political Science

Political Science: Major

海角社区 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 海角社区’ 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鈥檚 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

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2017 Sanctae Crucis Award Recipients Continue to Live 海角社区 Mission
鈥淵ou offer a strong voice to the powerless, relief to the oppressed and justice to the wronged.鈥 鈥淵ou have worked tirelessly to remove barriers to access and provide first-quality dental services for Rhode Island鈥檚 infants, children and the underserved.鈥 鈥淵our 鈥
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海角社区 Takes Top Seat in Ranking for Long-Term Study Abroad Participation
For yet another year, the 海角社区 has been ranked No. 1 among baccalaureate institutions in the United States for long-term study abroad participation by the Institute of International Education. According to its聽report, 133 海角社区 students 鈥
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海角社区 Student Entrepreneur Works with Local Refugees to Create Ties, Opportunity
Finding work as a refugee in a new country can be daunting. After an impactful Montserrat class, Riley Benner 鈥20, a political science and philosophy double major, rekindled a company he started as a 15-year-old in Rochester, 聽Phoenix Haberdashery, and 鈥