POLITICAL SCIENCE
Are you interested in our political system and how laws and policies come to be?
Does understanding elections, social movements, and governance sound exciting to you?
Do you want to contribute to a more equitable and socially just world?
Political power and the decisions of governments, both in the U.S. and abroad, shape our fundamental rights and everyday lives. Political science is the study of systems of governance, and the analysis of political activities, political thoughts, and political behavior. At its core, this social science concerns itself with the distribution of power and resources. Dive into domestic and international government, current political issues, and public policy while examining broader topics such as human rights, nationalism and ethnic conflict, and women and globalization.
YOU WILL LEARN TO:
• Understand the structures of political institutions while also recognizing the power of community agency
• Analyze different systems of government and politics at the local, state, national, and international levels
• Differentiate key theoretical concepts such as globalization, liberalism, and nationalism
• Integrate political insights with other disciplines, such as economics, women’s studies, and critical studies of race and ethnicity
• Discuss issues and policies in pursuit of social justice
THE ST. KATE’S DIFFERENCE
RELEVANT CONTENT: Courses are regularly tailored to students’ interests, such as human rights or campaigns and elections, so content is always timely.
UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY: St. Kate’s is the only institution in Minnesota that is a Diplomacy Lab Partner for the U.S. State Department.
CAREER PATHS TO EXPLORE
POLITICAL CAMPAIGNS
Help develop and execute campaign strategy for a political candidate in a local or national election
NGOs (NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS)
Advance the goals of an organization dedicated to providing services and advocacy related to human rights, consumer protection, public health, environmentalism, and other social causes
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
Work with lawmakers at the state or federal level to influence laws and policies that are important to you or your organization’s cause
URBAN PLANNING
Advise urban planners and architects on the implications of social equity and economic growth when developing or improving urban areas
PUBLIC POLICY
Analyze proposed policies and assess their impacts on communities and social groups.
REAL-WORLD PROJECTS: Students research and provide reports through Diplomacy Lab to State Department officials.
NATIONAL EXPOSURE: Students have presented their research at national conferences and submitted papers for publication.
