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

Christina Casey '22
Holy Cross Student Summer: Christina Casey ’22
Christina Casey ’22 Summer Plans: Intern, LA Sparks Hometown: Sherman Oaks, CA Major: Political Science Summer Plans I am working in the Corporate Partnerships Department at the Los Angeles Sparks, three-time WNBA champions. As a Corporate Partnerships Intern, my primary …
Mandusu Sidibay '21
Holy Cross Student Summer: Mandusu Sidibay ’21
Mandusu Sidibay ’21 Summer Plans: Intern, Urbanlinx Media Inc and HotNewHipHop Hometown: Dorchester, MA Major: Political Science, Africana Studies concentration Summer Plans My position this summer as an editorial intern for HotNewHipHop (HNHH) consists of writing editorials for HotNewHipHop.com under …
Caroline Fredericks '21, Caitlin Marple '21, and Jake Mozeleski '22 conduct a zoom call with coach Edward McDermott '79.
Holy Cross Awarded in Multiple Categories of International Academy of Dispute Resolution Vilnius Competition
As one of only two undergraduate institutions invited to participate in this year’s International Academy of Dispute Resolution (INADR) Vilnius competition, Holy Cross was an underdog with—as it turns out—a big bite. At its conclusion, the international law school competition …