School of Social Sciences Home > Political Science Program
What is Political Science?
Political science is the study of governments and how they function. The discipline encompasses:
- National and international governmental organizations
- Groups within countries
- Formal and informal aspects of governmental activity
The formal aspects of government include such things as constitutions, the legislative, executive and judicial branches of government and the distribution of power and procedures within a government. Aside from analyzing how a government should work, political scientists also study the informal and behavioral aspects of government, looking at such phenomena as public opinion and voting behavior, political parties and interest groups and the political socialization process.
Special Features
Political science majors enjoy small classes with faculty members who are both teachers and scholars. Students can sharpen their intellectual powers and increase their knowledge through extensive interaction with faculty and fellow students.
Many of our majors are involved in these student organizations that stimulate discussions of contemporary issues:
- College Democrats
- College Republicans
- The IU Southeast Chapter of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union
Some participate in the college level Model United Nations and Arab League programs. Others participate in the Student Government Association and help coordinate the IU Southeast Model U.N. Conference for High School Students.
In the final two years of degree work, students are able to put their classroom knowledge to work as interns or in the professional practice program. Our students have served as interns with local law firms, the Indiana State Legislature and Governor's Office, the local courts, the U.S. Congress and the British House of Commons. Others have participated in the overseas study program in Spain, Mexico, France and England.
