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
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Subfields

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

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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’ Alexander Hamilton Society Awarded “Best New Chapter” in 2020
When Will Poplawski ’20, a political science major, learned about the Alexander Hamilton Society (AHS) during his sophomore year from Daniel Klinghard, professor of political science, he was immediately moved to action. The society, a non-profit, non-partisan student organization committed …
Summer Campus Scenic. Photo by Avanell Brock
Holy Cross Religious Studies Professor Receives $5,000 Grant from the Wabash Center
Holy Cross Religious Studies Professor Tat siong Benny Liew has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion to explore teaching and learning about race and racial dynamics in ways that …
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Academic Conference Goes Virtual in Response to Pandemic
As faculty members across the College worked to transition their courses to a distance-learning format this semester, one of the many logistical challenges to tackle was the annual Academic Conference, where students present the results of their independent work in …