Political Science • Carthage College

At A Glance

The study of political science widens cultural perspectives by providing insight into political institutions and behavior. Students of political science develop an understanding of the responsibilities of intelligent citizenship.

Major

Political Science

Minor

Political Science

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Carthage’s political science major provides a foundation for graduate study in political science or, with other social science courses, preparation for careers in government service, law, teaching, journalism, or research analysis.

Carthage also offers a major in international political economy for students who wish to focus on the evolving web of global relationships in politics, economics, and business.

<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,725,978/33314_501_163701665847155_2.rev.1644443691.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,725,978/33314_501_163701665847155_2.rev.1644443691.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,725,978/33314_501_163701665847155_2.rev.1644443691.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,725,978/33314_501_163701665847155_2.rev.1644443691.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,725,978/33314_501_163701665847155_2.rev.1644443691.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,725,978/33314_501_163701665847155_2.rev.1644443691.jpg" alt="Abby Trch ?23" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,725,978/33314_501_163701665847155_2.rev.1644443691.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,725,978/33314_501_163701665847155_2.rev.1644443691.jpg 3x" data-max-w="725" data-max-h="978" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I traveled to Peru as part of a <a href="/academics/experiential-learning/january-term/">J-Term</a> study tour. I can’t even begin to describe how meaningful and life-changing this experience was. I could never get the same kind of experience inside a classroom. I visited Machu Picchu, met indigenous communities, and observed how tourism affected women, the environment, and more.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1517-abby-trch">Abby Trch</a> ’23</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.jpg" alt="Tyler Kelly ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1049" data-max-h="1050" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I think students should strongly consider majoring in something interdisciplinary because it opens many doors.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1542-">Tyler Kelly</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
<div class="lw_widget lw_widget_type_blockquote"><blockquote class="blockquote"><div class="blockquote__image"><picture class="lw_image"> <source type="image/webp" srcset="/live/image/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2137,2136/489_Nicole_Biba.rev.1638389813.webp 1x, /live/image/scale/2x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2137,2136/489_Nicole_Biba.rev.1638389813.webp 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2137,2136/489_Nicole_Biba.rev.1638389813.webp 3x"/> <source type="image/jpeg" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2137,2136/489_Nicole_Biba.rev.1638389813.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2137,2136/489_Nicole_Biba.rev.1638389813.jpg 3x"/> <img src="/live/image/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2137,2136/489_Nicole_Biba.rev.1638389813.jpg" alt="Nicole Biba ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2137,2136/489_Nicole_Biba.rev.1638389813.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/100/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2137,2136/489_Nicole_Biba.rev.1638389813.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2137" data-max-h="2136" loading="lazy"/> </picture> </div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I really enjoy political science because of all of the thought that goes into it. I love learning about the different types of government that different people think is best.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/505-nicole-biba">Nicole Biba</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>

Dedicated Faculty

Students studying political science at Carthage will study with professors devoted to seeing their students succeed.

Small Classes, Global Focus

Students can take such courses as African Transitions, Chinese Politics, Environmental Politics, Global Poverty, Human Rights, Latin American Politics, and many more. Most political science classes have fewer than 25 students for increased individualized faculty-student attention. Not only do the courses expand political knowledge, but the department also challenges students to think critically and develops students’ ability to communicate their ideas effectively.

See the full list of political science courses

Opportunities in the Classroom and Beyond

Political Science Department faculty and staff assist students in finding internship opportunities around the nation and world. In recent years, students have interned in the U.S. House of Representatives; worked at the Republican Governors Association in Washington, D.C., and interned with the U.S. Department of State in Rennes, France.

The Political Science Department also provides opportunities to study the political systems of other countries during J-Term. Faculty have recently led J-Term study tours in Cuba, Patagonia, Argentina, Peru, and the Galapagos Islands.