 The Department seeks to help students develop an understanding of political processes and institutions and to acquaint them with the issues and problems that politics tries to manage. The Department also teaches students skills of analysis, research, and evaluation so that they can become more informed citizens and develop thoughtful, personal views. Many of our courses help students develop a political philosophy. Students, therefore, would be interested in taking political science courses as part of their liberal arts education, and particularly for gaining experience in evaluating political issues, formulating personal or group political action, participating in social change movements, or becoming involved in the formal political process. Careers in law, government service, journalism, teaching, politics, and public administration are directly related to training in political science; but the Department stresses an approach to studying politics that provides anyone with the skills and knowledge to be an informed, active citizen or political participant.
Because an awareness of other cultures and institutions is vital to both an understanding of politics and a strengthening of a liberal arts education, the Department urges its majors to consider an international study experience -- for either a January Term, a semester, or a year -- as part of their academic program. Political Science majors have participated in a variety of study abroad programs, especially in England and Scotland, Mexico, India, and Japan. Students should talk with their departmental advisor early in their studies about opportunities for international programs and internships. The Department makes every effort to consider substitutions in the major and to count courses taken abroad toward the major. |
• Political Science courses (Catalog descriptions)
• Courses for Spring Semester 1999
• New courses for Spring 1999 - descriptions
• Link to Pre-Law at Gustavus home page
- Royce Ammon (Visiting, 1998-1999)
- Christopher Gilbert, Chair
- Michael James
- Lori Carsen Kelly (Visiting, Spring 1999)
- Richard Leitch
- Donald Ostrom
- Mary Palmquist, Administrative Assistant
- Norman Walbek (on leave, 1998-1999)
Religion and Politics
- The Official Homepage of the American Political Science Association Religion and Politics organized section
The Gustavus General Catalog is available online as a PDF (portable document format) file that allows you to check current information about Gustavus major, minors, and courses.
The links contained below offer a partial list of the exploding number of political science-related web sites. We will strive to continually update these links and to broaden their scope as time permits. If you know of any links that should appear on our homepage, please feel free to use the Guestbook to relay a message to us. Thanks!
- Please Sign Our Guestbook
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