Political Science B.A.

Political Science is the study of who gets what, when, and how from government. Political scientists examine how our institutions shape decision-making, how citizens form opinions and hold elected officials accountable, the structure of governments throughout the world, how countries interact with one another, and why, at times, they do not. It is a broad study that employs a multitude of tools to answer questions about politics and governments. Students acquire skills through coursework, research, interactions with faculty, and internships that lead to careers in public, private, and non-profit sections.

American Government and Politics seeks to better understand how collective governance happens in the United States. The study is across two areas: Political Behavior, the study of individuals and groups and the way they think, feel, and act in regards to politics; and Political Institutions, the study of formal and informal structures in the United States government.

Comparative Politics is the study of similarities and differences in the patterns of politics and governance of countries. Students will identify intersecting factions—such as the role of colonization, postcolonial politics, industrialization, militarization, development, globalization, gender, culture, identity, violence, (in)security, and the role of the state—that influence political outcomes across time and space in the contemporary world.

International Relations seeks to explain state behavior and the way politics, culture, and economics affect the global system and state intersection. We examine the dynamics of cooperation and conflict; the role of international organizations and other actors on democratization and human rights; international law; power and influence; international issues and events such as climate change, immigration, war, and health; the dynamics of trade and financial crises; and the consequences of interdependence and globalization.

Public Law is the systematic study of law, legal systems, judges, and attorneys, and how they intersect with other branches of government and the public generally, both in the American context and comparatively across countries.

Departmental Honors requirements: Departmental honors in political science will be automatically granted to any student who is a political science major graduating with a grade point average of 3.80 or higher in political science courses taken at UMD or accepted for transfer to UMD.