Majoring in political science exposes you to a broad range of political ideas, events, actions, and institutions. It includes both understanding and explaining the politics that take place in local communities, in Washington, and around the world. Politics affect virtually every aspect of our lives, including the availability of education, jobs, housing, and healthcare.

Political science majors take courses that help them learn to think independently, communicate effectively, understand complex social structures, and function effectively in a multicultural world. Since a political science major gives you basic skills that are useful in an ever-changing job market, it’s no surprise that it’s known as one of the most economically valuable majors.

Why Study Political Science at Luther?

Diverse faculty provide a wide range of course offerings that help you develop a more dynamic and contextualized understanding of politics around us. Courses in American Politics, Environmental Politics and Policy, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Political Theory provide students with the knowledge and tools to fully engage in our complex world.

Smaller class sizes allow you to get to know your professors and classmates. In these courses, students and faculty engage in deep discussion about issues surrounding our political system, allowing for greater conversation and better analysis.

You can also take advantage of research opportunities, experiential learning, internships, and study abroad courses. For instance, our diverse faculty are experts in different areas of political science and often involve students in their research. Our Mock Trial team competes regionally and nationally. Our Model UN Club participate in simulations every year. All of these activities provide extended learning opportunities.

Internships contribute to learning in remarkable ways, and can serve as an important vocational function for students. Almost every student who spends a semester in Washington, D.C., for example, returns to campus having grown emotionally and intellectually in ways they never could have imagined.

Our faculty are also very involved in the study abroad opportunities. Students have gone to Brazil to study race and politics, Northern Ireland to study peace and conflict resolution, and throughout Europe to study religion and politics.