Political science explores the formal and informal institutions/processes of social regulation. Areas of focus are: analysis of government structures, the decision-making processes, policy content, and philosophical traditions.

   Political scientists examine how governments mediate conflicts of competing social, economic, and political values. Of interest also are the political and legal relationships among world nations.  A political science degree prepares you for:

• positions at all levels of government (incl. military and law enforcement)

• positions in non-profit agencies and interest groups

• positions in international organizations

• graduate school / law school

• teaching

• journalism

• the business sector

   For undergraduates, the UW Political Science Dept. offers a B.A. or B.S. Thirty-three POLS credit hours are required, including Political Theory (POLS 2460) and a seminar. We also offer several minors for students in other majors.

   Click to learn more about the requirements, or download POLS Checksheet with USP 1991 requirements (MAT Fall 1991 - Summer 2003), a Word document to track your progress.

   Students must also select a course from each subfield: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and public law. Electives may be taken from any subfield.

   You may choose to concentrate in one of the subfields. Cooperative programs exist with other UW units such as economics or business to increase student's employment marketability. A minor in many other College of Arts and Sciences departments may also expand career choices.

   The Political Science Faculty has a national reputation with an excellent teaching and research record.  Teaching evaluations indicate that 92 percent of our students would recommend their political science professor to student friends.  We believe in superior teaching and several faculty members have received outstanding teaching awards on campus.

   The Political Science faculty also has an exceptional research record. Members of the faculty have authored nearly 300 journal articles and 20 books. Thus, political science students have access to teachers who are skillful communicators of knowledge and who are also actively involved in generating that knowledge.

• Acquire a knowledge and understanding of the values, beliefs, and institutions     that constitute the political tradition of the American political system, of other political systems, and of patterns interactions among nations and sources of international conflict and cooperation.  

• Develop an appreciation of politics and government, and of citizens' roles within them.

• Evaluate conflicting arguments, assemble and present empirical evidence, and make reasoned conclusions from the evidence available.

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in written form.