Political Science

Political Science is a scientific and humanistic discipline that attempts to explain and evaluate politics and political systems in terms of fundamental empirical theories and general normative principles. Political science thus seeks not only to understand the struggles for power and influence that determine who gets what, when and how, but also to ascertain the best or most appropriate way for human beings to live together both within societies and the world community. Both the major and minor in political science are designed to give students a solid grounding in the four main sub-fields of the discipline: American government and politics; comparative politics; international relations; and normative political theory. The major program is further structured into three “tracks” to allow students to pursue a more advanced study of politics and government in a manner that is most conductive to their specific interests and professional goals.

First, the discipline lies at the core of a liberal arts education, as it deals with the relationship between individuals and the state. Second, political science provides opportunities to learn both about the United States and about the world beyond the United States. Third, political science helps students understand some of the most significant policy issues that affect everyone. Fourth, the professors in the department are among the most widely recognized on campus, for their teaching, research, and service to their students. Finally, the department offers many learning opportunities beyond the classroom, including internships (with or without course credit), researching with students, and other co-curricular activities to prepare our students for the life after college. Some examples of recent internships include: the Missouri General Assembly; Missouri Attorney General’s Office; state lobbying firms; US Marshals; and the offices of US legislators.

A major in political science provides a good foundation for both employment and advanced study in a variety of fields. Political science enhances skills in analytical reading, research, analysis, and writing. As such, political science makes students good candidates for employment in many fields, including business, finance, consulting, government work, the foreign service, and teaching. Political science is also a good major for those who plan to apply for graduate education in law, business, social work, education, international affairs, security studies, and -- of course -- political science itself.

All political science students choose one of the following three “tracks” based on their interests: Pre-Law, Security Studies, and General. All students complete the required introductory level courses and take three elective upper-level POL courses across the subfields within the major. Beyond that, students interested in attending law school are encouraged to select the “Pre-Law” track, which requires the completion of the courses associated with the Pre-Law minor. Students interested in security-related graduate school or security-related employment are encouraged to select the “Security Studies” track, which requires the completion of the courses associated with the Security Studies minor. Finally, students that wish to sample the wide breadth of courses our department has to offer, and/or wish to best prepare themselves for politics-related graduate school or politics-related employment are encouraged to select the “General” track.

All classes in the Political Science major and Pre-Law and Security Studies minors can be found in in the Academic Catalog, here.

Students who opt to complete the “General” track of the political science major are required to one upper-level class from each of the following three “subfields”: American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations. The subfield of American Politics focuses on party politics, elections, the branches of government, state and local government, public policy, and other political and governmental issues in the United States. The subfield of comparative politics looks at similar issues in countries outside the United States, and tries to discern how differences in culture, levels of development, social structures, and forms of government influence the ways in which politics are conducted around the world. The subfield of international relations studies the relationships among states in the international system, and looks at international organizations, transnational issues, and the role of norms and law in international affairs.

Many of our students combine a major in Political science with the study of a different field. There are several courses that would allow students to receive credit toward their Political Science major and other majors as well.