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

The Sanctae Crucis honorees stand on the front steps of ivy-covered Wheeler Hall
Meet the 2019 Sanctae Crucis Honorees
The Sanctae Crucis Award is the highest non-degree accolade that Holy Cross bestows on alumni, recognizing those who take up the College’s challenge to find meaning in life and history and honor their obligations to others. Meet this year’s five …
A student walks out of a political campaign office
Photos: Holy Cross Students Spend Winter Break Interning at Presidential Campaigns
While many Holy Cross students spent winter break on … well, break … some students used the weeks between semesters to pursue their passions. On campus, a number of students attended the four-day Non-Profit Careers Conference; in New York City …
Two people play the game Guess Who where the faces have been switched for Democratic and Republican political figures
The United States of Anxiety: Experts Weigh in on How to Stay Engaged in Politics Without Burning Out
If you thought presidential election seasons were tumultuous in the past, brace yourself for Election 2020. The 24-hour news cycle, smartphones and ubiquity of social media have caused politics to invade Americans’ lives in ways that have upended their sense …