Political Science, B.A.

Purposeful civic learning leading to informed and thoughtful citizenry.

If you are seeking to gain the knowledge and skills needed to systematically analyze important past, current and future political issues, then our political science degree is the right fit for you.

Within this program you will gain a better understanding of the concept of government including the origin, emergence, integration, transformation and decline of political communities as well as their institutions and the rules and practices by which they resolve conflicts and make decisions.

You will take away a better understanding of logical reasoning and analysis, oral and written communications, argumentation and rhetoric.

Students who major in political science critically examine issues related to the study of American and world politics.

In courses on American politics, students learn about constitutional law, become familiar with the electoral process, and examine the inner workings of national institutions like the Presidency and Congress. In courses on world politics, students investigate the causes of international conflict and cooperation, learn about American foreign policy and compare and contrast the domestic political systems of countries around the world.

Political science majors at Lenoir-Rhyne gain the knowledge and skills needed to systematically analyze important past, current and future political issues.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Students have a number of opportunities to gain valuable work and life experiences outside of the classroom environment. The major supports the university’s Model United Nations (Model UN) program, an experiential learning course in which students participate in a mock United Nations Conference. Each year, students research international issues and submit resolutions at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York attended by students from around the world.

You may also participate in the North Carolina Student Legislature each year, where you engage in a mock North Carolina General Assembly. You research public policy issues and submit legislation at statewide meetings attended by student delegations from across the state.

Political science majors may participate in the Lutheran College Washington Semester. Under this program, you participate in a work/study program in Washington, D.C. and complete two seminar courses and an internship. The program emphasizes the ethical dimension of important questions of public affairs.

Finally, political science majors have opportunities for a wide array of local and regional internships as part of studies in government, non-profit and legal settings.

Career Opportunities

Political Science integrates humanistic study with the scientific approach to provide career preparation for a wide range of professional fields. As a traditional liberal arts program, it furnishes the general strengths related to effective communication, independent and analytical thinking and argumentation, and appreciation of history, philosophy and current affairs related to the study of government and political action. It also provides professional preparation directly for careers in politics and government at the local, state, national and international levels.

Accordingly, career opportunities for political science majors span a very wide range of fields. Professional opportunities exist in government at all levels, in electoral (campaigns and elections), political (lobbying, consulting, advocacy), administrative (government agencies, government management, foreign service), and legal settings (law, public interest activities) are available. Additionally, areas that touch upon governmental actions, such as journalism, business/finance and/or non-profit organizations furnish especially good opportunities for careers.