Aristotle called politics “the queen of the sciences,” and knowledge of politics is important for all liberally educated people. The political science department provides broad exposure to these four major areas of the discipline: American politics, Comparative politics, International politics, and Political theory.

By studying political science, the student studies the perennial questions of politics and learns how government works here and around the world. He learns to analyze and interpret the significance of political events and governmental processes to understand, evaluate, and even shape them. Political science graduates comprehend their world in ways appropriate to their individual inclinations, as intelligent and responsible citizens; journalists and attorneys; active participants in business, community or electoral politics; and as candidates for office, public officials or academic political scientists.