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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Win-Win: With Midterms Around the Corner, Students Hit the Campaign Trail
Knocking on prospective voters’ doors, conducting opposition research, helping with debate prep — it’s not every class that has students knee-deep in the election cycle. But Campaign 2018: A Hands-On Approach, a course team-taught by two Holy Cross alumni, Timothy …
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Blog: Hastie ’22 Looking Forward to Making Lifelong Friends at the College
NAME Olivia Hastie ’22 HOMETOWN Holliston, Mass. STUDIES SHE’S CONSIDERING Political Science and Theatre double major WHY SHE CHOSE HOLY CROSS “The majority of my family attended the college and when I visited I couldn’t see myself anywhere else. The community is unlike any …
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Blog: Baker ’22 Excited for Extracurricular Opportunities on The Hill
NAME  Mitchell Baker ’22 HOMETOWN Upton, Mass. STUDIES HE’S CONSIDERING Political science and philosophy double major, Middle Eastern Studies or Peace and Conflict Studies concentration WHY HE CHOSE HOLY CROSS “I chose Holy Cross because I immediately felt a connection to the school the …