New: Please read the Political Science Department’s Statement on Structural Racism.
In a place made famous by its historic past, Gettysburg College is uniquely positioned to engage students in the work of addressing contemporary political questions.
Through a comprehensive liberal arts and sciences curriculum that analyzes the analogous nature of political theory, American government, international relations, and comparative politics, students who immerse themselves in coursework and research in the Political Science Department graduate well-equipped with enduring skills such as communication, leadership, and problem solving that prepare them for diverse careers in the public and private sectors.
Students seeking a political science degree or a political science minor grow professionally and individually through engaging courses, various internships, and experiential learning within public policy programs offered by the Eisenhower Institute at no additional cost.
Why study political science?
A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Gettysburg’s political science degree program prepares you for work in for-profit or nonprofit organizations, the public sector, or media. Earning a bachelor’s degree in political science does not limit you to the field of political science but prepares you for careers in education, government, public policy, law, and other areas.
Upon graduating from Gettysburg, political science majors and political science minors emerge from their studies with the experiences and knowledge needed to succeed in graduate studies or careers that require decision-making and conflict resolution skills. Alumni often find success in work such as urban planning in small towns and corporate management of national and international companies.
The political science bachelor’s degree and political science minor incorporate a curriculum that teaches you to think critically and analytically. You will employ normative and empirical methodologies, all with the goal of helping you become an ethical communicator who recognizes the importance of political engagement.
Major in political science
The political science major requires a minimum of 10 courses and is structured through a series of introductory to 300-level courses, two subfield specializations, a political science methods course, and a capstone. Students seeking a political science major specialize in two of the four political science subfields, allowing them to become well-versed on various topics.
Gettysburg’s political science courses span topics such as global conflict management, mass media, political parties within American politics, gender, and European politics.
View all of the political science major’s requirements.
Minor in political science
Gettysburg’s six-course political science minor encompasses a series of two introductory courses and four advanced courses. Like the political science major, the political science minor requires a specialization in two of the four subfields in political science.
Students seeking a political science minor should consult with the department chair for choosing courses to fulfill the minor requirements.
View the political science minor requirements.
Curriculum
The Political Science Department offers students an array of courses within four of the subfields of political science: political theory, American government, international relations, and comparative politics. Curricula offered within the department deepens students’ understanding of political theory by teaching them to think critically and ethically.
Explore classes offered through the Political Science Department.
What makes Gettysburg’s Political Science Department different?
Gettysburg College’s Political Science Department incorporates an interdisciplinary approach to learning.
For political science majors and minors who seek more hands-on participation in political science, the Eisenhower Institute connects students to experiences in public policy. These semester-long or year-long programs include Environmental Leadership, topical discussions of the Contours of the Middle East, Emerging Threats in National Security, and immersive trips to the nation’s capital.
Gettysburg also offers more than 30 affiliated global study and domestic programs, including more than 100 additional options through collaboration with other organizations, such as the Washington Semester in Washington, D.C.
The Political Science Department is committed to encouraging students to raise difficult questions and teaching them how to think analytically, write clearly and persuasively, and be inquisitive as they contend with issues that impact our society.
Career preparation
The Political Science Department’s curriculum prepares students for careers in government, private corporations, education, nonprofits, and law. Supportive faculty and peers help students to succeed, whether they are seeking to pursue a political science minor or a political science degree major track. Students are encouraged to visit the Center for Career Engagement and learn more about how the College’s Guided Pathways can help them cultivate their unique career path.
Graduate and professional study
Students who graduate from Gettysburg’s Bachelor of Arts in political science degree program can enter the workforce or pursue their studies further into graduate and professional school. Discover where Gettysburg alumni continue their academic journey.
connectGettysburg
Every Gettysburg student has access to The Gettysburg Network via the connectGettysburg platform. As the College’s online engagement, networking, and mentoring platform, connectGettysburg offers endless connections for networking with Gettysburg’s more than 32,000 alumni.
Student life opportunities
Political science students have a wide range of on-campus opportunities to connect with others. With several political clubs, the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society, and The Glatfelter Gazette—Gettysburg’s political science journal featuring student work—political science majors and minors can find a plethora of opportunities to develop enduring skills for their future through engaging student life opportunities.
Experiential learning
Political science majors may regularly engage in study abroad trips and internships related to study in the political science field. Additionally, the Eisenhower Institute provides public policy programs that interest political science majors and minors.
Explore Gettysburg’s opportunities for students within the Political Science Department.
Political science grants and scholarships
The Political Science Department offers various grants and scholarships to students. Gettysburg College’s Eisenhower Institute also grants a yearly Eisenhower/Hilton Scholarship for Study Abroad.
Become an ethical leader with a political science degree at Gettysburg
Through the Bachelor of Arts in political science degree or political science minor, you’ll learn to work individually and collaboratively on the institutions of democracy and justice while acknowledging the global impact of various political infrastructures.
Whether you wish to participate in the Eisenhower Institute’s public policy programs that take you inside Washington, D.C., join a political club, or work together on The Glatfelter Gazette, there is a place for you in Gettysburg College’s Political Science Department.
Our distinguished faculty’s publications
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Article ‘Civil War Settlements, Perceived Agreement Fairness, and Trust in Political Authorities: Investigating the Influence of Power Sharing on Public Opinion in Divided Societies.’ by Prof. Caroline A. Hartzell, Matthew Hoddie, and Prof. Douglas Page
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Article Civil War Mediation and the Conflict Environment: Does Regional Instability Influence the Onset of Mediation? by Prof. Lindsay Reid, Kelly M. Kadera, and Mark J.C. Crescenzi
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Article Divisive or Descriptive?: How Americans Understand Critical Race Theory Prof. Alauna Safarpour, Kristin Lunz Trujillo, Jon Green, Caroline Pippert, Jennifer Lin and James
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Article Power Sharing and Power Relations after Civil War by Prof. Caroline Hartzell
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Article Reassessing the relationship between homophobia and political participation by Prof. Douglas Page, Phillip Ayoub, Catharine Arranz ’20, Matthew Montes ’22, and Taylor Paulin ’22
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Article Revisiting the lavender votet by Prof. Douglas Page and Taylor Paulin ’22
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Article Theorizing potential downstream cultural consequences of LGBT+ Activism by Prof. Douglas Page
