Department of Political Science

Why study political science?

Because political science advances our understanding of politics, power, governance, and public policy in the United States and across the globe.  In the broadest sense, political science is the study of governments and governmental procedures.  Political science is as old as civilization, because people always have been interested in their government and in their leaders.  But political science as it is thought of today, as one of the social sciences, is a comparatively new discipline.  It developed in the United States during the last century as political scientists developed an ability to make increasingly scientific observations of government.  Political scientists are concerned with the origins and sources of governmental organizations, their growth, and their decline, as well as with the processes and structure of government.
Ask yourself, Am I interested in public affairs?  Am I a good analytical and critical thinker?  Am I curious about the world and it's workings?  Do I communicate well orally and in writing?  Do I want to be a knowledgeable citizen?  Am I interested in the relationship between government and the people?  Am I curious about how decisions are made and how conflicts are resolved?