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.

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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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Students to Showcase Work at Annual Summer Research Symposium and Internship Expo
Before the semester is well underway, students will be showcasing the broad gamut of work they took part in throughout the summer at the 22nd annual Summer Research Symposium and the eighth annual Internship Expo. The accomplishments of students from …
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Wide Range of Faculty Experts at Holy Cross Available to Discuss Pope’s First U.S. Visit
Faculty experts in a wide range of disciplines from the College of the Holy Cross are available to offer distinctive perspectives on Pope Francis’ first visit to the U.S., Sept. 22 – 27, 2015.  For more information, or for assistance …
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Photo Gallery: Students Conduct Cutting-Edge Summer Research on Campus
After the academic year ended, over 100 students returned to spend their summers on campus where they participated in leading research spanning a range of  disciplines: 67 students engaged in research in the sciences; 31 in the humanities, social sciences, …