Political Science
Political Science examines the institutions that govern our societies and the policy decisions that affect every part of our lives. At RWU, you’ll sharpen your thinking, writing and debate skills in classes such as American politics, international relations, comparative politics, political theory and public administration. Combined with real-world internship experience -- locally and in Washington, D.C. -- you’ll be prepared for a career in law, business, public policy or education.
Study Political Science at RWU
Degree Requirements
Political Science, B.A.
The study of politics at RWU covers the institutions, processes and pre-dispositions by which human affairs are governed, both nationally and internationally. The program offers students a comprehensive and balanced selection of courses, exposing them to the traditional subfields of the discipline: American national politics, international relations, comparative politics, political theory, public administration, and public policy. Courses are designed to broaden student horizons and to improve student proficiency in critical analysis. Courses are also intended to provide a basis for intelligent citizenship, increase capacity for community service, and orient students toward a life-long interest in learning. Internships, independent study, and study abroad are encouraged. The study of politics at RWU develops skills that are useful for law school and legal careers, business careers, various international and public policy careers, as well as for careers in politics per se.
Program Requirements
Majors pursuing the Bachelor of Arts in political science must satisfy the University General Education Requirements. In addition, majors must complete three political science foundation courses; nine advanced courses, with at least four each from the American National Politics/Political Theory category and the International Relations/Comparative Politics category and a two-course research sequence in political science. Majors are encouraged to complete an internship locally or in Washington, DC with credit toward the subfield requirements. Students must complete a sufficient number of general electives to total 120 credits. Majors are encouraged to apply general electives toward a minor or second major.
The three courses listed below are required of all majors and are prerequisites for advanced courses in the relevant subfields.
Political Science Requirements
Political Science Electives
Students must complete four (4) electives (or 12 credits) in both American National Politics/Political Theory and International Relations/Comparative Politics plus one additional elective (3 credits).
American National Politics/Political Theory
Students must complete four (4) courses or 12 credits in American National Politics or Political Theory
- POLSC 179 - POLSC: Sepcial Topics (American National Politics or Political Theory topic)
- POLSC 200 - The Constitution and American Politics
- POLSC 202 - Congress and the Legislative Process
- POLSC 203 - The American Presidency
- POLSC 260 - Public Administration
- POLSC 279 - POLSC: Special Topics (American National Politics or Political Theory topic)
- POLSC 301 - Campaigns and Elections
- POLSC 302 - Political Parties and Interest Groups
- POLSC 303 - Politics and the Media
- POLSC 304 - Public Opinion
- POLSC 305 - Judicial Politics
- POLSC 307 - Gender in American Politics
- POLSC 308 - Race and Ethnicity in American Politics
- POLSC 309 - Film and Politics
- POLSC 350 - Political Theory
- POLSC 361 - State and Local Government
- POLSC 362 - Urban Politics
- POLSC 375 - Health Policy
- POLSC 379 - POLSC: Special Topics (American National Politics or Political Theory topic)
- POLSC 380 - Public Policy
- POLSC 400 - Washington Internship
- POLSC 401 - Washington Public Policy Seminar
- POLSC 402 - Washington Experiential Learning Seminar
- POLSC 403 - Unlocking Leadership
- POLSC 410 - Political Science Independent Study (American National Politics or Political Theory topic)
- POLSC 440 - Independent Research Project (American National Politics or Political Theory topic)
International Relations/Comparative Politics
Students must complete four (4) courses or 12 credits in International Relations or Comparative Politics
- POLSC 179 - POLSC: Sepcial Topics (International Relations or Comparative Politics topic)
- POLSC 210 - International Relations
- POLSC 212 - Model Diplomacy
- POLSC 215 - Strategy and National Security Policy
- POLSC 279 - POLSC: Special Topics (International Relations or Comparative Politics topic)
- POLSC 309 - Film and Politics
- POLSC 310 - Pop Culture and Advanced IR Theory
- POLSC 321 - Politics and Ethnic Conflict
- POLSC 325 - Modern European Politics
- POLSC 327 - Politics of the Middle East
- POLSC 328 - Politics of Latin America
- POLSC 330 - Revolution and Social Change
- POLSC 335 - International Negotiation
- POLSC 340 - International Political Economy
- POLSC 342 - Women, Gender, and Global Development
- POLSC 344 - United States and the Middle East
- POLSC 345 - Rich States, Poor States
- POLSC 346 - Russian Politics and Foreign Policy
- POLSC 347 - Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy
- POLSC 348 - Rogue States, Allies, Regional Powers
- POLSC 350 - Political Theory
- POLSC 379 - POLSC: Special Topics (International Relations or Comparative Politics topic)
- POLSC 383 - Global Environmental Politics
- POLSC 386 - International Law and Organization
- POLSC 390 - Globalization and its Critics
- POLSC 397 - Playing Games with Politics
- POLSC 400 - Washington Internship (International Relations or Comparative Politics topic)
- POLSC 401 - Washington Public Policy Seminar (International Relations or Comparative Politics topic)
- POLSC 402 - Washington Experiential Learning Seminar (International Relations or Comparative Politics topic)
- POLSC 410 - Political Science Independent Study (International Relations or Comparative Politics topic)
- POLSC 429 - Political Cultures in Contact
- POLSC 479 - Special Topics
- POLSC 440 - Independent Research Project (International Relations or Comparative Politics topic)
Political Science Elective
- POLSC 179 - POLSC: Sepcial Topics
- POLSC 200 - The Constitution and American Politics
- POLSC 202 - Congress and the Legislative Process
- POLSC 203 - The American Presidency
- POLSC 210 - International Relations
- POLSC 212 - Model Diplomacy
- POLSC 215 - Strategy and National Security Policy
- POLSC 260 - Public Administration
- POLSC 279 - POLSC: Special Topics
- POLSC 301 - Campaigns and Elections
- POLSC 302 - Political Parties and Interest Groups
- POLSC 303 - Politics and the Media
- POLSC 304 - Public Opinion
- POLSC 305 - Judicial Politics
- POLSC 307 - Gender in American Politics
- POLSC 308 - Race and Ethnicity in American Politics
- POLSC 309 - Film and Politics
- POLSC 310 - Pop Culture and Advanced IR Theory
- POLSC 321 - Politics and Ethnic Conflict
- POLSC 325 - Modern European Politics
- POLSC 327 - Politics of the Middle East
- POLSC 328 - Politics of Latin America
- POLSC 330 - Revolution and Social Change
- POLSC 335 - International Negotiation
- POLSC 340 - International Political Economy
- POLSC 342 - Women, Gender, and Global Development
- POLSC 344 - United States and the Middle East
- POLSC 345 - Rich States, Poor States
- POLSC 346 - Russian Politics and Foreign Policy
- POLSC 347 - Chinese Politics and Foreign Policy
- POLSC 348 - Rogue States, Allies, Regional Powers
- POLSC 350 - Political Theory
- POLSC 361 - State and Local Government
- POLSC 362 - Urban Politics
- POLSC 375 - Health Policy
- POLSC 379 - POLSC: Special Topics
- POLSC 380 - Public Policy
- POLSC 383 - Global Environmental Politics
- POLSC 386 - International Law and Organization
- POLSC 390 - Globalization and its Critics
- POLSC 392 - Global Food Politics
- POLSC 397 - Playing Games with Politics
- POLSC 400 - Washington Internship
- POLSC 401 - Washington Public Policy Seminar
- POLSC 402 - Washington Experiential Learning Seminar
- POLSC 403 - Unlocking Leadership
- POLSC 410 - Political Science Independent Study
- POLSC 429 - Political Cultures in Contact
- POLSC 479 - Special Topics
- POLSC 440 - Independent Research Project
Two Course Research Sequence
Examining in depth a topic chosen by the student completes the major
Internship/Study Abroad
Students are strongly encouraged to pursue an internship (locally or in Washington, DC) or study abroad to complete political science elective requirements.
Political Science Minor
The Political Science minor familiarizes students with the basic functions of American government and either international relations or comparative politics. Coursework in the minor emphasizes analytical skills, problem solving, and effective communication regarding complex political and policy issues. A Political Science minor helps students make sense of a complicated political environment as preparation for careers within the business sector, government and non-governmental agencies, the public policy realm, and non-governmental/non-profit organizations, and other institutions.
Program Requirements
Required Courses
- POLSC 100 - American Government and Politics
One of the following:
- Any three (3) upper-level courses provided that at least one of these is from the American National Politics category and one is from the International Relations/Comparative Politics category.
To read more about our academic offerings, or to view full course descriptions, please refer to our University Catalog.
Enroll in Engaging Courses
In her "Great Powers and Great Responsibilities" course, Associate Professor of Political Science Annika Hagley uses the superhero genre to dive into conversations about politics, culture, and society. Students analyze both DC Comics and Marvel Comics superheroes, from Superman and Captain America to Wonder Woman and Black Panther, looking at their backstories, their evolution over the decades, and how they relate to politics and current affairs.
Get a Great Internship
Our strong industry connections lead our Political Science students to intern in a variety of places including law firms, corporations, and nonprofit organizations, for state and local governments in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and at various sites in Washington, D.C.
Take Part in Research
Our students take part in hands-on research projects, including:
- Plastic Bag Ban in Barrington, Rhode Island
- Collaborative R.I. projects including Regional Competitiveness, Municipal Bankruptcy
- Bristol and Warren Community Needs Assessment
- Gender and Gubernatorial Appointments
- Presidential Election Exit Polling
- Model United Nations
- Model Arab League
Undergraduate Opportunities Propel Alumni Success
Political Science graduates work for prestigious companies, organizations, and government entities including:
- Accenture
- City of Providence
- City of Central Falls
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Environmental Protection Agency
- US House and Senate (staff)
- US Marine Corps
- DigitalGlobe Satellite Imagery
- NASCAR Corporate
- Northeastern University
- Powell Tate Consulting
Further Your Studies
Graduates who chose to continue their education after Roger have attended:
- American University
- George Washington University
- New York University
- London School of Economics
- Duke University School of Law
- University of Virginia School of Law
- University of Michigan School of Law
- Roger Williams University School of Law
- American University School of Law