Political Science

Political Science: Major

Holy Cross students who major in political science gain in-depth understanding of the American political system, other political regimes, the international system, and political philosophy. In uniformly small classes, students also improve their critical and analytical skills and competence in oral and written expression.

Political science is one of Holy Cross鈥 most popular majors. The major is rigorously structured so as to ensure breadth as well as depth, with courses required in each of the discipline鈥檚 four subfields. Department faculty conceive the most fundamental purpose of the major as helping students to become thoughtful, well-informed, and ethical citizens of a constitutional, self-governing republic. Political science majors have gone on to successful careers in local, state, and federal government, academia,  law, journalism, business, high-school teaching, nonprofit organizations, the armed forces, and the priesthood. 

Program Highlights

Students majoring in political science take courses in four main areas:
 
  • American government
  • political philosophy
  • comparative politics
  • international relations
students and a professor in a class
Subfields

Learn more about the political science department鈥檚 four subfields.

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Charles Carroll Program

The program brings guest lecturers to campus, funds a sophomore seminar and provides paid summer research internships.

Group of students in Washington DC
Washington Semester Program

Many political science majors spend a semester working, studying, and conducting research in Washington, D.C.

Political Science News

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Holy Cross Young Alumus Named Worcester Magazine鈥檚 鈥楶erson of the Year鈥
Worcester Magazine has named Che Anderson 鈥11, project manager for the city of Worcester, as its 鈥淧erson of the Year.鈥 Anderson, who has immersed himself in Worcester since his days as a Holy Cross student in 2007, and who is 鈥
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Holy Cross Political Science Professor Receives Distinguished Teaching Award
Loren Cass, professor of political science and director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, received the 2016 Holy Cross Distinguished Teaching Award at the annual Dean鈥檚 Fall Address and Faculty Awards Ceremony. The Holy Cross Distinguished Teaching Award is presented 鈥
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Three Holy Cross Alumni Help to Bring Murals to Downtown Worcester
This summer, POW!WOW! Worcester, a 10-day mural festival committed to making Worcester a more culturally dynamic place by activating spaces, engaging in the arts, and generating pride in the downtown area, heavily involved the work of three Holy Cross alumni: 鈥