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 Gears Up for the 2016 Election, Faculty Talk Politics in the Media
Since the beginning of the fall semester, the College of the Holy Cross community has been engaging with the upcoming presidential election in many ways, including through events, academic courses, and media. The College has held voter registration and absentee …
Image
Holy Cross Announces Seven New Faculty Hires for 2016-17 Academic Year
In her annual address to the College for the 2016-17 academic year, Margaret Freije, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College, announced the hiring of seven new faculty members. These new faculty members include five new tenure-track …
Image
Blog: O’Connor ’18 Hopes to ‘Get Lost’ in Spain
NAME James O’Connor ’18 HOMETOWN Evanston, Ill. AREAS OF STUDY History and political science double major WHERE HE’S STUDYING Coruña, Spain WHY HE CHOSE SPAIN “I chose to study in Spain because I want to learn Spanish, and I want to …