Interested in American politics? International relations and International affairs? Comparative politics? Political theory and philosophy?

Curious about exploring topics central to political dynamics, such as:

  • What are the duties and obligations of citizenship?
  • What is justice?
  • What is power?
  • To what extent do institutions shape political behavior?

If these questions intrigue you, then you should select political science as your major at Norwich University.

The study of politics has been an integral part of higher education since the Greek philosopher Plato (427–347 B.C.) founded “The Academy” around 387 B.C. Political Science has been called the “royal art” and the “queen of the sciences.” It is interesting to note that the Greek word “idiot” was used to refer to individuals who took no interest in the affairs of the state. Millennia later, it is no less important that individuals learn about and participate in politics and government.

The mission of the Political Science program is to emphasize the objectives of the liberal arts, which are to help students cultivate powers of analysis and exposition in reading, writing, and communication; to expand students’ intellectual horizons; and to increase students’ knowledge and curiosity. The program explores the realm of politics; its vocabulary, its principal concepts and strategies, its ethics, and its expediencies. To do so, the program encourages students to appreciate and understand theories about government and politics, as well as the methods of the discipline.

At Norwich University, political science courses fall into the following five broad categories, which reflect the diversity of our discipline:

  • American Politics
  • Public Policy and Administration
  • International Relations
  • Comparative Politics
  • Political Theory and Philosophy

Distribution requirements for political science majors

Required courses:

  • PO105: American Politics
  • PO106: Introduction to Public Policy and Administration
  • PO215: International Relations
  • PO202: Comparative Politics
  • PO220: Research Methods
  • PO410: Capstone Seminar in Political Science (Foundation Courses)

One course from each of the following groups:

Political Philosophy
  • PO303: Political Philosophy
  • PO325: Contemporary Political Theory
  • PO330: American Citizenship
American Politics
  • PO312: The Presidency
  • PO313: Political Parties and Interest Groups
  • PO314: The Legislative Process
  • PO315: Public Opinion and Political Behavior
  • PO321: Constitutional Law
  • PO331: State and Local Politics
Comparative Politics
  • PO333: American Foreign Policy
  • PO340: Revolution and Forces of Change
  • PO348: Asian Politic
  • PO310: European Politics
  • PO320: Topics in Area Studies
International Relations
  • PO305: Geopolitics
  • PO405: International Organizations
  • PO415: International Law
  • PO412: War and Peace

Additional requirements:

  • Two upper-division PO electives
  • Seven related area requirements HI221, HI222, HI elective (non-Western), all of which must be passed with a grade of “C” or better; EC201 or 202, EN112, MA232, and a PH elective

All political science courses taken to satisfy the political science major distribution requirements must be passed with a “C” or better.

For a minor in Political Science, the student must complete 18 degree credits with a grade of “C” or better. Required courses:

  • PO105: American Politics
  • PO106: Introduction to Public Policy and Administration
  • PO202: Comparative Politics
  • PO215: International Relations
  • PO220: Research Methods
  • PO Elective (must be upper-division)