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Introduction to the Department
of Political Science
Political science is the study of people’s
behavior as it relates to power and public organizations.
The discipline is normally divided into six subfields:
Political philosophy, which deals with normative
questions about how power should be used and distributed,
rights and obligations, the nature of justice and
the ideal state.
American politics, which is concerned
with campaigns and elections, parties, elected executives,
legislative processes, and issues of public policy.
Public administration, the role played
by public employees in policy making, planning, personnel
management, taxation and finance, and in responding
to the needs and problems of communities and the
nation.
Public law, which involves the judicial
process, civil rights and liberties, and the significance
of such terms as equal opportunity and due process
in the United States.
Comparative government, which raises
the same questions of politics, administration and
law about other countries, and moves toward conclusions
based on comparisons between them.
International politics, which is concerned
with relations between the states and other international
actors such as multinational corporations and the
United Nations and with the underlying realities
of power, based on resources, wealth, military preparedness
and national security.
A major in political science prepares
students for law school, government employment on
the local, state and national levels, foreign service,
teaching, business, journalism, or leadership in
civic and political activities.
For prelaw students, the department
provides a series of law-related courses numbered
in the 370 and 470 series (see course descriptions).
There is a prelaw adviser and an active Prelaw Society
which enables students to make close and direct contact
with the work of attorneys, judges, etc. The department
is closely tied to the College Legal Clinic, which
provides free legal advice for students and others
who cannot afford the usual costs.
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