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

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Holy Cross Professor Spearheads Virtual Study Abroad for the College and Russian State University for the Humanities

The remote summer study provided Holy Cross students an immersive experience to enhance their Russian language abilities

Photo by Dan Vaillancourt
Holy Cross Students Lead the Way in Volunteering, According To Linkedin
Roughly 45% of current Holy Cross students on LinkedIn are involved in volunteer projects according to their profiles on the social media platform–the highest percentage for any higher education institution in the United States. That wasn’t news to Marty Kelly, …
Daniel Klinghard teaches a Political Science class entitled, Politics & Technology. Photographed May 2015.
The New Face of Political Conventions: Will Shift Online Prove Effective? Holy Cross Professor Opines
The coronavirus has altered much of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, from cancelled rallies to changing the format of much-anticipated nomination conventions. As an almost fully virtual Democratic party convention kicks off, Daniel Klinghard, professor of political science at Holy …