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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Holy Cross Announces Eight New Faculty Hires
In her annual address to the College for the 2015-16 academic year, Margaret Freije, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the College, announced the hiring of eight new faculty members. These new faculty members include an endowed chair, …
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Video: Holy Cross Faculty Offer Multidisciplinary Analysis of Pope’s Encyclical on Environment
In advance of Pope Francis’ historic visit to the United States, a multidisciplinary panel of Holy Cross faculty shared their perspectives on his encyclical letter, “Laudato si’: On Care for Our Common Home,” released in May. The panel, speaking before …
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Blog: Nord ’17 Plans to Complete Course Work and Internship During Yearlong Study in China
NAME Holly Nord ’17 HOMETOWN Killingworth, Connecticut AREAS OF STUDY Political science and Chinese double major WHERE SHE’S STUDYING Beijing (fall) Shanghai (spring) WHY SHE CHOSE CHINA “To improve my Mandarin and become immersed in the Chinese culture. This unique …