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

Alicia Molt-West takes her oath of office via computer, with her twin daughters seated on her lap
Alicia Molt-West ’09 Traces Her Path from Mount St. James to the White House
screenshot of class on zoom
New Holy Cross Course Examines the Science and Politics of Pandemics
Nearly 30 students gathered on a March Zoom call to learn about the biological workings and political impact of a global pandemic, in today’s class, the HIV/AIDS virus. It’s nearly a year to the day since Gov. Charlie Baker locked …
SGA Co-Presidents Noah Sisk '21 and Victoria Tara '21 on campus in early 2020.
SGA Co-Presidents Reflect on a Year Unlike Any Other
Noah Sisk ’21 and Victoria Tara ’21 campaigned successfully for co-presidents of the Student Government Association (SGA) with the slogan, “Let’s get real.” Fresh off a semester in Washington, DC, through Holy Cross’ Semester Away Program, the pair used the …