Political Science seeks to understand when, why and how political systems work to produce sustainable economies, secure communities, and healthy and happy citizens – and the causes and solutions to problems like underdevelopment, inequality, oppression and violence. It includes analysis of governments, public policies, political systems and political behavior, as well as how states interact in a global system. Political Science is both humanistic and scientific in its perspective and methods. The BA and BS degree options in political science emphasize different dimensions of these traditions.
**Colleges and departments may identify and should publish any combinations of majors that would not be approved for more than one major program. In general, an undergraduate student may not combine a general major with a departmental major within the same college. Please note that you cannot major in PLSC BA and INTPL BA as there is too much overlap with courses.
The International Politics major focuses on how power operates within and between states in the international arena. The program combines political science, economics, geography and history to examine topics such as human rights, ethnic conflict, terrorism, economic and political development and globalization, the environment, foreign and economic policy making, and national security. As an international politics major you will take courses in a variety of fields and you will choose from one of three concentrations: International Relations, National Security or International Political Economy.
**Colleges and departments may identify and should publish any combinations of majors that would not be approved for more than one major program. In general, an undergraduate student may not combine a general major with a departmental major within the same college. Please note that you cannot major in PLSC BA and INTPL BA as there is too much overlap with courses.
The Social Data Analytics major is for students interested in being part of the “data revolution.” The program combines political science with data science, statistics and computer science to prepare students to use “big” or “social” data in research, public policy, business and other aspects of social and political life.
Business and Liberal Arts
The Business and Liberal Arts major is designed to give liberal arts students a foundation in business to expand their career options and facilitate the creative contribution of the liberal arts to social, political and economic life. Courses connect students to alumni with successful business careers and introduce students to how the liberal arts enhance business and how business enhances the liberal arts.
Global Security
The Global Security minor introduces students to the theoretical and practical challenges of global security with emphasis on both the technical, legal, ethical and regulatory issues of risk management and the social, historical and cultural origins of conflict. The minor is a collaboration between the College of the Liberal Arts and the College of Information Sciences and Technology.
**Colleges and departments may identify and should publish any combinations of majors that would not be approved for more than one major program. In general, an undergraduate student may not combine a general major with a departmental major within the same college. Please note that you cannot major in INTPL_NSEC and GLBSC minor as there is too much overlap.
Political Science
The Political Science Minor gives students an opportunity to enhance their study of any field with an understanding of political, legal and regulatory processes in the United States and/or internationally. The political science minor is a particularly good complement to majors with relevance to public policy, as well as to majors that prepare students to work in multiple regulatory environments and in fields that rely on public funding.
**Colleges and departments may identify and should publish any combinations of majors that would not be approved for more than one major program. In general, an undergraduate student may not combine a general major with a departmental major within the same college. Please note that you cannot major in PLSC BA or INTPL BA and the PLSC minor as there is too much overlap.
Politics and Public Policy
The minor in Politics and Public Policy enables students in any major to develop a robust understanding of the political and governmental processes through which public policies are formulated and implemented. Students learn various frameworks for designing and evaluating governmental policies, along with tools to analyze the impact and effectiveness of those policies. The knowledge and skills cultivated by the minor are important to any citizen interested in how government can and does respond to collective problems, as well as to future leaders who strive to influence the policymaking process. The minor is particularly useful to students who are interested in applying the expertise they are developing in their major field of study to public debate, decisions, and administration, and to those aspiring to careers at the intersection of industry and government regulation.