Political Science
Division: Social Science
Department: Political Science
Political Science - A social science that studies the processes, principles, and structure of government and of political institutions.
Do you want to change the world? Have you always dreamt of your face on the three-dollar bill?
Why Political Science?
Fact 1: You don't have to get a Political Science degree to run for president - but you can.
Fact 2: The Political Science major offers you an opportunity to understand the role of government and political behavior in societies of the past and present, in order to help you further develop your professional and civic judgment.
Fact 3: With a degree in Political Science, you can pursue a career in business, teaching, foreign service, government service, interest groups, media, or law.
Why Political Science at SJC?
Variety: When studying Political Science at SJC, you can specialize in two of three subfields, including American Politics, Comparative and International Politics, and Political Theory.
- American Politics: If you dream of running for office, or you wish to take an active part in the decision-making of tomorrow, then a concentration in American Politics is for you. You can focus on the formal and informal institutions of the American political system and learn to identify and analyze current policy issues.
- Comparative and International Politics: Do you want to learn about other governments and political institutions? When you study Comparative and International Politics, you can prepare for an active role in shaping the world.
- Political Theory: If you're heading for law school and want to be a step ahead of your classmates, then a focus in Political Theory will give you the foundation you need. You will read and analyze some of the most influential political writings of our time.
Dedication to Excellence: The Political Science Department at SJC requires its students to take a number of skills classes, including Statistics and Research Methods, and participate in the major's Capstone Course. This course allows students to do advanced-level research under the direction of a Department faculty member. Topics of recent seminars include the Holocaust, international security, and the US Supreme Court. The Political Science Department has a 100% acceptance rate for students applying to law school, and SJC graduates are accepted at such law schools as University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, College of William and Mary, Indiana University, New York University, Washington University, University of Georgia, Harvard Law School, and Loyola University.
Hands-on Experience: The faculty at SJC encourage all of their students to pursue internships. Internships in the Political Science Department have included the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, the Council of the Americas, Tribune Group Broadcasting in Washington, D.C., and the Curator's Office at the United States Supreme Court. (Success Stories)
The Political Science Department offers students (open to all majors) the opportunity to intern in Washington, DC, through an organization called The Washington Center. Recent internships obtained by SJC students through the Washington Center: The Library of Congress and Public Defender's Office in Maryland.
Students who participate in the Washington Center programs are eligible for internships that match as closely as possible the student's interest. Our agreement with Central College study abroad has a well established internship program, which identifies student strengths and interests and matches them to available opportunities in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. Our study abroad agreement with Arcadia University offers internships in European Parliaments.
Clerkships
These highly prized opportunities after law school have been won by SJC students:
US Court of Appeals (4th and 7th Circuit) – Baltimore, MD/Chicago, IL
US Supreme Court – Washington, DC
Indiana Supreme Court – Indianapolis, IN
Iowa Supreme Court – Des Moines, IA
Faculty and Class Size: Our Political Science Department consists of faculty who hold doctorate degrees in their fields of expertise, and have traveled all over the globe, including India, Nicaragua, and Chile. Classes range between 15 and 25 students to assure that you will not be just another face in the crowd. (Faculty Profiles)
