Political Science
Program Details
As a student in the political science major, you'll pursue answers to the vital questions of equity, justice and peace in the modern world. Challenging courses consider the best political and social science literature with a view toward gaining a deeper understanding of contemporary and foreign controversies. In this way, you'll confront the promise and limits of political and social solutions to humanity's most challenging problems.
The major also provides the opportunity to examine particular topics in depth through elective courses, as well as the chance to engage politics directly by participating in one of our department's political internship programs or engaging in a faculty-mentored undergraduate research project.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes. 99 percent of our students, including those in the political science major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022).
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Political Science major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- POLITICAL SCIENCE 120: Comparative Gov't and Politics ............ 3cr.
- ENGLISH 101: English Composition ............ 3cr.
- second language I ............ 3cr.
- MATHEMATICS 116: Elementary Statistics ............ 3cr.
- First Year Seminar ............ 3cr.
- CORE 101: GOA Co-curriculum Program I ............ 0cr.
Spring
- POLITICAL SCIENCE 140: American Government and Politics ............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspective ............ 3cr.
- second language II ............ 3cr.
- PHILOSOPHY 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy ............ 3cr.
- THEOLOGY 111: Theological Foundations ............ 3cr.
- CORE 102: GOA Co-curriculum Program II ............ 0cr.
Fall
- POLITICAL SCIENCE 277: International Relations ............ 3cr.
- ECONOMICS 200: Micro Economics ............ 3cr.
- Quantitative Elective ............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives Elective ............ 3cr.
- PHILOSOPHY 200: Philosophical Perspectives ............ 3cr.
Spring
- POLITICAL SCIENCE 301:Political Philosophy ............ 3cr.
- ECON 201: Macroeconomics ............ 3cr.
- Social Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- Writing Intensive Elective ............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives ............ 3cr.
Fall
- Political Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- Political Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- ENGLISH 205: Literature and the Moral Imagination ............ 3cr.
- ER/S Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Spring
- Political Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- Political Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- DCR Elective ............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Fall
- POLITICAL SCIENCE 390:Seminar ............ 3cr.
- Political Science Elective ............ 3cr.
- Humanities Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Spring
- Political Science Elective #6 ............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives Elective ............ 3cr.
- Oral Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
- General Elective ............ 3cr.
Sample Courses
Xavier is known for providing an education that’s both challenging and personal. Here are some courses that are part of the Political Science major at Xavier:
Comparative Government and Politics (POLI 120) - Introduction to and comparison of political systems in several national settings.
American Government and Politics (POLI 140) - Introduction to the theory and practice of the American political system.
International Relations (POLI 277) - The theory of international relations, nationalism, imperialism, disarmament and arms control, diplomacy, collective security.
Political Philosophy (POLI 301) - Detailed examination of basic problems in political philosophy. Emphasis is on the significance and critique of classic modernity.
Career Outcomes
99% of Xavier students, including those in the political science major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2022).
Careers: Campaign Feldwork, City Planning, Community Relations, Consumer Research, Demography, Editorial Writing, Financial Planning, Foreign Service, Government Relations, Grant Writing, International Banking, Non-Governmental Organizations, Nonprofit Organizations, Law, Legislative Assistance, Political Systems Research, Public Administration, Public Policy, Public Relations, Reporting, Statistical Research, Teaching
More: Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshop series on interviewing and resume writing techniques and maintaining an educational, vocational and employer information resource center. More than 100 nationally known companies visit the campus annually to interview graduating seniors for positions in business and industry.
Student Clubs
The following clubs are popular choices for students in the political science major.
Political Science Club
Xavier's Political Science Club is a fun and open platform for students of all backgrounds, political beliefs and ideologies to come together and discuss current events and political "hot topics." This club is meant to provide a non-partisan space to promote growth and further interest in politics.
Mock Trial Team
The overall purpose of Xavier's Mock Trial Team is to develop legal and trial skills and to prepare prospective law students for law school and the legal world. Members will gain trial experience in a "mock" setting and also learn from a team of Cincinnati area attorneys and former Mock Trial participants who serve as coaches.
Take the Next Step
Internships For Political Science Majors
Students gain real-world experience through internships and academic seminars in Cincinnati, Washington, D.C. and the Ohio State Legislature. Students also participate in the department's Summer State Politics Internship Program at the Ohio General Assembly.
Study Abroad Opportunities for Political Science Majors
Political Science majors can learn about international politics firsthand in one of Xavier’s study abroad programs. Programs for political science majors are offered in Paris, Ireland, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Australia and a host of other countries.
Political Science Degree Research Opportunities
Students earning their political science degree work closely with Xavier professors to present a paper at a conference or publish in our undergraduate research journal, the Xavier Journal of Politics.
CFJ helps to organize letter-writing campaign
No one should underestimate the power of a personal letter, one Xavier alumna says. That’s why more than 100 representatives of the Xavier family, including alumni, current students, faculty and staff, have committed to writing a total of more than 200 letters of encouragement to young men who are incarcerated in the state of Ohio.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Political Science Major at Xavier University
Xavier’s political science program challenges students to pursue answers to the vital questions of equity, justice, and peace in the modern world. Our rigorous courses consider the best political and social science literature with a focus on gaining a deeper understanding of contemporary domestic and foreign controversies, including those of human rights, democracy, equality, race, poverty, social class and war.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."