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

Maggie O'Neill '99 beside her colorful work
Alumna Leads Movement to Empower and Advance Female Visual Artists
In 1999, Maggie O’Neill departed Holy Cross with a political science degree in hand and a plan in mind: She was going to law school. There was just one problem. “I didn’t really want to go to law school,” she …
Allie Barry '19 (holding volleyball) and head coach Melissa Batie-Smoose (in white) along with this season's volleyball team in the Hart Center at the Luth Athletic Complex.
Holy Cross Women’s Volleyball Team Tops National Community Service Challenge
For the first three months of 2018, Holy Cross women’s volleyball beat the competition with their service and assists of a different kind — those they performed off the court. And they did it without even trying. “It was really …
Image
Service in Practice: Teach for America Counts Holy Cross as Top Contributor
A dozen recent Holy Cross alumni are taking their love of learning and service to the classroom by joining the ranks of Teach for America. Teach for America, a non-profit organization that works in partnership with communities to expand educational …