Political science

What it’s about:

As a political science major, you explore the origins, historical development, and functions of government and political power. You study the ways in which electoral, legislative, judicial, and administrative structures vary among countries; the reasons why governments change, fall, and engage in wars; and the behaviour of public officials and other citizens who take part in politics.

What the study of this major is like:

The political science and government major deals with a range of domestic and international issues, including civil rights, health care, war and peace, economic development, democracy, the environment, and the role of race, ethnicity, and gender in political life.

You might begin the major with an intro course in political science or, more likely, with an intro to one or more subfields (for example, international relations). In addition, you’ll probably take intro theory courses and a class on analytical methods and databased research. Intermediate and advanced courses may cover such topics as international security and global political economy, and U.S. institutions and constitutional law.

Most programs require you to minor in a related field, such as history, sociology, economics, or anthropology. You examine such issues as the principles of human behaviour that underlie political activity, the actions of citizens, politicians, and public officials; overall social and economic structures and processes; the origins and development of individual political systems; and the physical and social geography in which governments exist and politics takes place. In some colleges, you study these and other subjects through the core curriculum, you should choose electives that cover these areas.

Many programs now require majors to complete a capstone project-usually a substantial piece of research in which you integrate the knowledge and skills you have learned, as you investigate questions that interest you. Designing a research projects and writing a paper based on your research can be very rewarding.

Your classes may be in either a traditional (lectures) or an active (seminars, problem-based learning) format. You learn both individually and, especially in upper-division courses, in terms. College courses generally take an analytical approach, rather than the historical and current-events approach that student students may be accustomed to in high school courses. Even at large colleges, courses above the intro level usually have relatively few students and provide opportunities for discussion among students and instructors.

Most programs offer academic and practical experience outside the classroom[em dash] for example, internships in public offices (such as those of state legislative committees, public defenders, and country attorneys) or in administrative agencies. You may spend a “Washington semester” working and studying in the nation’s capital. Political science departments often participate in the college’s study-abroad programs. Political science clubs and campus political organizations can also enhance the intellectual and social life of majors.

Political science programs differ widely; you should examine the description of the major at colleges you may apply to. Some colleges are more liberal, others more conservative. Some favour scientific or quantitative (math-based) approaches; others choose a humanistic or qualitative perspective.

Career options and trends:

The study of political science and government can lead to careers in a wide range of fields including business, journalism, government service, public administration, nongovernmental organizations (NGO’s), law, teaching, the Foreign Service, and the diplomatic corps.

Source: CollegeBoard 2012 Book of Majors