Political Science
Political Science Major and Minor
Explore politics, public policy, and political behavior in the U.S. and around the world. Debate enduring value issues — like freedom, justice, order, and power — and the practical and ethical implications of contemporary policy issues.
Political Science AT A GLANCE
100
Of majors entering the workforce are employed within eight months of graduation.
10
Of graduates join service programs like Teach for America or the Peace Corps.
3:1
Average program student-faculty ratio
We prepare students for diverse careers.
Blending theoretical debates with practical skills, funded internships, travel seminars, student-faculty research, and civic engagement prepares our graduates to found NGOs, work in Congress, join intelligence agencies, practice law, lead marketing firms, and teach high school.
Our courses span the globe: the U.S., China, Middle East, Europe, and Latin America
Students pursue their passions among a wide range of choices: race, health care, immigration, law, terrorism, gender, media, and much more.
The Law and Policy Program: unique preparation for careers and graduate work
Integrates academics, civic learning, professional development on U.S. and global affairs. Includes internships, renowned speakers, and study away.
What interests you about politics?
Establish an introductory foundation and then focus coursework around big questions in the field like "Problems in Democracy" or "Globalization and Transnational Politics.'' Students study what interests them, rather than just checking off requirements.
Students take introductory courses on U.S. or international politics or political theory. Many also enroll in a 200-level course, such as regional surveys of Latin America, Europe, China, or the Middle East, or those on topics like Politics in Popular Culture, Law and Courts, Immigration, or Health Policy. Classes throughout the department are high energy spaces, including diverse approaches — lecture, discussion, simulations, and debates — and integrate current events and visiting speakers.
Students complete introductory coursework and enroll in 200-level courses, which are typically pitched to second-year students. Some students move into more focused 300-level seminars on topics like Constitutional Law, the Arab-Israeli Conflict, Urban Politics, Gender and Politics, East Asian Democracy, and Political Economy. Many students begin research with a faculty member; several of these collaborations have led to co-authored publications.
Students take their Junior Seminar, an advanced, research-based course to prepare for the Senior Project. Many complete summer internships. The Dotson Fund financially supports political scientists' internships in Washington, D.C., where we have a large network of alumni. Our partnership with the Robert H. Jackson Center offers another unique opportunity, but our students intern in locations around the globe — from Brussels to Capetown, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, and right here in Meadville!
Students complete political science coursework, with advanced classes in topics like Race and Politics, Civil Wars, Congress, and Social Policy in European Democracies. All majors take the department's Comp proposal course and then research and write their Senior Project.
Kelsey Evans '20
Internships: U.S. State Department and Department of Veterans Affairs. Campus activities: Resident Advisor, Coalition for Labor, College Democrats. Senior Comp: "Justifying Human Rights Violations by United States Allies in the Middle East."
Milton Guevara '18
Off-campus study: Al Akhawayn University, Morocco. Activities: Faculty-student research, WARC Radio, Sustained Dialogues. Senior Comp: "Prayers Before Bloodshed: Investigating Sanctified Violence in Rwanda and Sri Lanka." Currently: NPR News Assistant
Larry Hailsham '15
Internship: White House. Study Away: Costa Rica. Activities: Bonner Scholar, Teach for America. Senior Comp: "The Historical Oppression of African-Americans in the United States Legal System." Currently: PA Political Director, Biden for President
Alex Sproveri '13
Activities: CPP Fellow, Student-faculty research, Class Valedictorian. Senior Comp: "A Model for the Legislative Access of the Oil and Gas Industry." Post-graduation: Deloitte, Booz Allen Hamilton. Currently: Financial Services, Federal Reserve Board
Research Analyst at the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, Class of 2018
“ The Political Science Department here at Allegheny is life changing. I have benefited from amazing opportunities, such as an internship with a refugee resettlement agency and completing published research. This, combined with a faculty who study a wide range of topics and who want to know you on a personal level, has prepared me to be successful in the next steps of my journey. ”
Student Travel
Students travel to China to study culture, history, and political economy
Student Meetings
Students meet war crimes prosecutors at the Humanitarian Law Dialogs
Student Exploration
Students retraced Freedom Summer to explore legacies of the Civil Rights and Voting Rights Acts
Student Travel
Gators learning about Middle Eastern politics and the environment in Israel/Palestine and Jordan
Students in Rwanda
Students in Genocide and Reconciliation course visit Rwanda
Gators in Europe
Gators study politics of immigration and urban space in Europe
Robert H. Jackson Center Affiliation
Robert H. Jackson served as Solicitor General, Attorney General, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, and Chief U.S. Prosecutor at the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal. Allegheny’s affiliation allows students to intern, conduct research in the Center Archives, and participate in the exciting programming at the Center.
Concentration in Law and Policy
The concentration in Law & Policy is a program that blends students’ academic goals and preparation in international and domestic law and policy with ongoing opportunities in career education, internships, study away, civic learning, and community programming.
Cooperative Policy Program with Carnegie Mellon
Many of our majors participate in a cooperative program with Carnegie Mellon University in the area of Public Policy. Students spend three years taking courses at Allegheny and two years at CMU, resulting in a combined B.A./Master’s.