The Politics Department is home to hundreds of majors. On average, roughly 700 students each year concentrate in either Government or Foreign Affairs. Any student who meets the requirements can declare a major or minor.

We offer courses in four subfields – American Politics (PLAP), Comparative Politics (PLCP), International Relations (PLIR), and Political Theory (PLPT) – with some classes, including in research methods, that cut across these fields. Majors take courses across all subfields, but with different concentrations. Government Majors concentrate in American Politics or Political Theory track. Foreign Affairs Majors concentrate on global politics, combining courses in Comparative Politics and International Relations.

A Politics degree enables students to approach life after college with a critical eye, analytic edge, and familiarity with people and institutions all over the world. Our two majors stress analytical and critical thinking skills. We teach students to construct and critically assess arguments about the political world. We also help students develop their own ideas, support them with evidence, and put them into words and numbers that will engage and persuade their peers, co-workers, and fellow citizens.

Students who major in the Politics Department follow many different paths after they graduate: government, public service, business, journalism, and graduate school. An increasingly large percentage of students go on to graduate work, in one of the academic disciplines, or in policy, law or other professional schools around the country and internationally.

If you would like to hear a current student's perspective, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Programs.