Political Science

Political Science: Major

Holy Cross students who major in political science gain in-depth understanding of the American political system, other political regimes, the international system, and political philosophy. In uniformly small classes, students also improve their critical and analytical skills and competence in oral and written expression.

Political science is one of Holy Cross’ most popular majors. The major is rigorously structured so as to ensure breadth as well as depth, with courses required in each of the discipline’s four subfields. Department faculty conceive the most fundamental purpose of the major as helping students to become thoughtful, well-informed, and ethical citizens of a constitutional, self-governing republic. Political science majors have gone on to successful careers in local, state, and federal government, academia,  law, journalism, business, high-school teaching, nonprofit organizations, the armed forces, and the priesthood. 

Program Highlights

Students majoring in political science take courses in four main areas:
 
  • American government
  • political philosophy
  • comparative politics
  • international relations
students and a professor in a class
Subfields

Learn more about the political science department’s four subfields.

students in a classroom with a powerpoint
Charles Carroll Program

The program brings guest lecturers to campus, funds a sophomore seminar and provides paid summer research internships.

Group of students in Washington DC
Washington Semester Program

Many political science majors spend a semester working, studying, and conducting research in Washington, D.C.

Political Science News

Jerry Dickinson '09
From the Courtroom to the Classroom, Alumnus Fights to Empower the Marginalized
Jerry Dickinson ’09 was in the final push of the Democratic primary race to represent Pittsburgh and surrounding areas in the U.S. House of Representatives when the country erupted this May over the death of George Floyd. A constitutional law …
photo of election 2020 pin
What Happens if the 2020 Presidential Election Is Disputed? Political Science Professor Explains
Should we be prepared for the possibility of a major dispute over the outcome of the 2020 presidential election this November? And what should we expect Congress’ role to be in resolving this dispute?  In a recent piece for The …
Ren?e LeBlanc '21, co-chair of EcoAction, on the Hoval last year.
Eco-Action Co-Chairs Focus on Virtual Sustainability Efforts
When the College’s student-led Eco-Action group was canvassing for student votes for the Holy Cross Green Fund last year, Kimberly Fetherston ’22 went to the place she knew she’d get results. “That was my first campaign,” she remembers. “I immediately …