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

Ron Lawson '75 in New York City
The Golden Rule: Holy Cross Alumnus Helps Provide Health Care to the Homeless
Ron Lawson ’75 had worked for 14 years as a financial analyst and manager for some of the biggest firms on Wall Street. So when he was suddenly laid off in the early 1990s recession, he didn’t think much of …
Karen McManus '91
It’s Never Too Late: Holy Cross Alumna Pens Two Bestselling Novels
When Karen McManus ’91 published her first book in May 2017, she realized a dream deferred. An aspiring author since childhood, she experienced the thrill of watching her first novel catapult onto The New York Times’ best-seller list and remain …
Jon Favreau '03 sits opposite Ben Brock Johnson on stage
Jon Favreau ’03, Former Obama Speechwriter, Talks 2020 Presidential Candidates, His First Encounter With Obama, and Holy Cross
During a single hour-long conversation, former director of speechwriting for President Obama and current podcast celebrity Jon Favreau ’03 covered myriad topics: the strengths and failures of the new Democratic House majority, 2020 presidential candidates, his tense first encounter with …