Political Science

P. Schaal, Chairperson

bsu.edu/poli-sci

The world and its problems are both the main concern and the principal laboratory of the modern political scientist. Political scientists study the political behavior of people, groups, and nations in an effort to understand why they behave as they do, to predict what they will do next, and sometimes to suggest how they should behave in the future.

Students majoring in political science have three areas for course concentration: American Government and Politics, Global Politics and International Affairs, and Public Administration and Policy. In addition, students interested in attending law school may declare a pre-law designation and be advised of the selected courses needed to meet entrance requirements into law school. The university's pre-law advisor is Professor Johanna Maple.

For information on the major in Legal Studies (an American Bar Association approved paralegal program) and on the European studies minor, which are housed in the department, see the listing for Interdepartmental Programs, or contact the Political Science department.  Students in the Teaching Major in Social Studies may select government/political science as a concentration.