Experience Political Science

classroom A Political Science degree prepares students for careers in government, private corporations, education, nonprofits, and law. You'll get hands-on participation in political science with the Eisenhower Institute connections 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.

With 30 affiliated global study and domestic programs and more than 100 additional options through collaboration with other organizations, Gettylsburg College offers unique experiences such as the Washington Semester in Washington, D.C.

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Featured Courses

by level: 100 • 200 • 300 • 400

POL-101 American Government

Examination of the institutional structure and policy-making process of national government as reflections of assumptions of liberal democracy and the American social and economic systems. In addition to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government, political parties, interest groups, and elections are considered.

POL_213 Women, War, and Peace

Conventional wisdom implies that women are more peaceful than men. Is this true? This course is designed to engage and challenge conventional wisdom by examining the complex ways in which women experience, support, and push back against war. Prerequisite: POL 103

POL-320 Money, Power, and Political Representation in the U.S.

This course examines the role of money in shaping political power and representation in the United States. Topics we cover include campaign finance law and the constraints federal courts have placed on the regulation of political money; the representational inequalities (particularly with respect to race, gender, and class) that characterize U.S. campaign finance and lobbying; the effect of campaign money on election and policy outcomes; and reforms designed to curb money’s influence. Prerequisite: POL 101 and POL 215

The Jacober Scholars Program

In the winter of 2020, the Gettysburg College Political Science Department unveiled its new honors track—the Jacober Scholars Program. Each Jacober Scholar will work closely with a faculty mentor to produce a significant piece of original research in a subject area of the Scholar’s choosing. Political science majors with a major grade point average of at least 3.67 are eligible to apply during their junior year. Application information will be distributed during the first half of each spring semester.

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 33,000 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.