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

Image
Holy Cross Alumnus and Coach CEO Helps Popular Brand Think ‘Outside the Bag’
About three years ago, the popular handbag brand Coach saw its sales plummeting. Now, according to an article by Fortune, the company is making a remarkable recovery under CEO and College of the Holy Cross alumnus Victor Luis ’88. “Since …
Image
Professor and Political Science Expert Talks Trump, Comey, and Impeachment
The College of the Holy Cross’ Donald Brand, professor of political science, recently penned two op-eds for Fortune, exploring President Trump’s firing of FBI director James Comey and the ins-and-outs of presidential impeachment. The day it was posted, Brand’s impeachment …
Image
Holy Cross to Host 2017 JUHAN Conference
Community partners and students committed to social justice will participate in the 2017 Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network (JUHAN) Conference, scheduled for June 27-29, at the College of the Holy Cross. The biennial conference, titled “Principles in Crisis: Refugees and …