Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the Department

What is the name of the department?

In the fall of 2002, the department changed its name from Government and International Studies to the department of Political Science, bringing us in line with the standard nomenclature for the field.

I am interested in International Relations. Is that a separate major?

No. The department offers courses in four fields, and it is the same major whether you are interested in American government, international relations, comparative politics, or political theory.

Students may specialize, but there is no requirement to do so, and there is no formal distinction between students who focus on different fields. You may find that courses in different sub-fields will complement one another.

American Politics

  • Investigates our national, state, and local political systems, including their political cultures, institutions, processes, and policies.
  • Advanced courses permit focused study of specific elements, such as Congress, the presidency, political parties, voting and public opinion, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, urban politics, public administration, and constitutional law.

 

International Relations

  • Offers an understanding of the global political system and relations between nations.
  • Advanced courses allow more thematic approaches, such as regional analysis, policymaking, international development, international organizations and law, international conflict, and international political economy.
  • The field also has a strong tradition in normative issues such as human rights and humanitarian concerns.

 

Comparative Politics

  • Compares political institutions or practices around the world.
  • This field involves both area studies as well as the comparative study of topics such as party systems, representation, democratization, public policy, and development.
  • Courses are available on the politics of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia, East Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

 

Political Theory

  • Introduces students to the varied interpretations of the nature of political community and of the state. These include classical, medieval, and modern theorists, as well as themes such as community, representation, liberty, and equality.
  • The department also encourages students to study the problems of method which arise in the wide ranging discipline of political science.

Requirements & Course Selection

Is there a minor or "second major" in Political Science with fewer requirements?

No. Although some students double major, the requirements for a second major in Political Science are the same as for a first major: ten courses.

What are the requirements for the Political Science major?

A) Four breadth requirements. Majors are required to take a course in each of the four fields of political science. Two of these must be introductory courses. The other two can be introductory courses or intermediate-level courses. The introductory courses are: POLS 10100 or 20100 (old numbers 140 or 240)-American Politics, POLS 10200 or 20200 (old numbers 141 or 241)-International Relations, POLS 10400 or 20400 (old numbers 142 or 242)-Comparative Politics, and POLS 10600 or 20600 (old numbers 143 or 243)-Political Theory. These represent the four basic areas of study in the department.

B) Four intermediate courses. Students can specialize in one field or take a combination of courses tailored to their interests.

C) Two Writing Seminars. These courses are normally limited to 16 students in each, are conducted in seminar fashion, and are writing intensive. We offer both Junior Writing Seminars and Senior Writing Seminars. You may substitute one semester of a senior essay or a graduate course for one of the writing seminars.

D) Effective with the class of 2010, one of the ten courses must be a designated methodologically-focused course.

Is this new? Have the requirements changed?

Yes. Previously majors had to take four introductory courses. Students may stll elect elect to do so, but now they have the option of taking two introductory courses and intermediate level courses in the other two fields (or three introductory courses and one intermediate level course) to satisfy the breadth requirements.

What is the reason for the change?

The department introduced this change to give students more flexibility to adapt their courses to their interests and to encourage sophomores to take intermediate level courses sooner.

Can I still take four introductory courses if I want?

Yes.

What is a "methodologically-focused course"?

Given the University's emphasis on undergraduate research, the department wants students to understand the characteristics of research in political science. Some of our courses place more emphasis, not only on the subject of the course, but also on understanding how political scientists approach the subject, and the department designates these as "methodologically-focused." These are not necessarily methodoloy courses per se, like statistics, but are courses that give special attention to how political science works.

How can I identify which courses meet this requirement?

We identify these courses on the course descriptions section of our web site,

Do students combine the Political Science major with other programs?

Yes. Some students have a double major, some have a concentration, and some create their own informal program of specialization through wise use of their electives. Each strategy has advantages and disadvantages.

Double major. The idea of a double major appeals to many Notre Dame students. Common double majors include economics, sociology, philosophy, business, and languages. Students thinking about double majoring must do a lot of planning to make sure they have space to fulfill all the requirements of each major. Your decision should be based in part on strategic considerations: Are some courses available only to majors? Will a formal major in the field open unique opportunities? Students should also realize that often times doing a technical double major may not be the best way to go. If you have an interest in two areas, you can major in one and concentrate several of your electives in the other. It is rare that the technical double major is a requirement for a job or graduate school. Normally it works out better to give yourself more leeway by having one major and using electives to complement it with courses in one or several other fields of your own choosing, to build up collateral interests.

Minors. Many students take advantage of minors, which generally only require an additional 15 credits. There are three types of minors: departmental, interdisciplinary, and area studies.

Departmental minors offer a way to complement with major with a coherent selection of courses in another discipline, such as History, English, or another social science, without committing to a full second major.

Interdisciplinary minors offer a way to complement a major with a selection of courses in a field that overlaps several majors. They include:

  • Catholic Social Tradition
  • Education, Schooling, and Society
  • Gender Studies
  • Hesburgh Program in Public Service
  • Journalism, Ethics, and Democracy
  • Latino Studies
  • Medieval Studies
  • Peace Studies
  • Philosophy and Literature
  • Philosophy, Politics and Economics
  • Philosophy Within the Catholic Tradition
  • Religion and Literature
  • Science, Technology and Values
Area Studies minors include:
  • African Studies
  • Asian Studies
  • European Studies
  • Irish Studies
  • Latin American Studies
  • Mediterranean/Middle East Studies
  • Russian and Far Eastern Studies


Faculty contacts for these programs and concentrations are listed at the beginning of each semester's Schedule of Courses booklet. Students who have an interest in these minors should begin exploring them as soon as possible so they can coordinate them with their major and elective courses. You can add or drop a minor the same way you would add or drop a major.

How should I decide whether to take an introductory course or an intermediate level course for the breadth requirement?

Most students should take the introductory courses in their two main fields of interest. This gives you a good foundation for upper-level courses and will take care of their prerequisites. If you are less interested in one or two of the other fields, you may want to look at more appealing intermediate level courses that will satisfy the breadth requirement. There may be exceptions to this general approach, however, so we encourage you to talk to an advisor about what would be best for you.

Can I specialize? Do I have to specialize?
Political Science majors often specialize informally in one of the following sub-fields, although there is no requirement to do so, and there is no formal distinction between a student who studies American politics, for example, and one who studies International Relations. You may find that courses in different sub-fields will complement one another.

American Politics investigates our national, state, and local political systems, including their political cultures, institutions, processes, and policies. Advanced courses permit focused study of specific elements, such as Congress, the presidency, political parties, voting and public opinion, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, urban politics, public administration, and constitutional law.

International Relations offers an understanding of the global political system and relations between nations. Advanced courses allow more thematic approaches, such as regional analysis, policymaking, international development, international organizations and law, international conflict, and international political economy. The field also has a strong tradition in normative issues such as human rights and humanitarian concerns.

Comparative Politics looks at what we can learn by comparing political institutions or practices around the world. This field involves both area studies as well as the comparative study of topics such as party systems, representation, democratization, public policy, and development. We offer courses on the politics of Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Russia, East Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Political Theory introduces students to the varied interpretations of the nature of political community and of the state. These include classical, medieval, and modern theorists, as well as themes such as community, representation, liberty, and equality. The department also encourages students to study the problems of method which arise in the wide ranging discipline of political science.

How can I tell which course is in which field?

You can usually tell by the title. Under the new 5-digit numbering system, we have also clustered the courses by field. Courses in American politics are numbered xx001 to xx199. Courses in international relations are numbered xx200 to xx399. Courses in comparative politics are numbered xx400 to xx599. Courses in Political Theory are numbered xx600 to xx799.

Advisors & Faculty

I have more questions. Who is my advisor in the Department of Political Science?

The department has three undergraduate advisors, but does not assign students to individual advisors. Daniel Lindley, Josh Kaplan, and Carolina Arroyo are available for signatures, paperwork, and for general advising.

The department also encourages students to speak to faculty as a source of information from experts in your field about graduate school, careers, contacts, fellowships, and other opportunities. It is vital to get this sort of individual advice from faculty if you intend to go to graduate or professional school.

How do I sign up for the Political Science major?
Come to the department office and see Daniel Lindley, Josh Kaplan, or Carolina Arroyo during office hours. They will have you fill out the proper forms and introduce you to the major. They will also go over the requirements and procedures, and answer any questions you have and help you plan your program.

Where do I find out more about the faculty?

On the Department of Political Science website, http://politicalscience.nd.edu, there is a faculty directory giving areas of specialization and research. A handout on "Faculty Specialties" is also available in the department office.

How do I find out more about the faculty?

You will find a list of faculty that includes office hours, phone numbers, and office locations on the bulletin board outside the Political Science department.

Course Credit

Does the department accept AP credit toward the major?

Yes, but . . . . The department will allow a score of 5 on the AP American Government test or Comparative Politics test to satisfy the breadth requirements in American Politics and Comparative Politics, respectively. However, students majoring in Political Science must still take ten political science courses. In other words, a student coming in with a score of 5 on the AP test will not have to take the breadth requirement in that field, but will still need to take ten courses.

Does the department accept transfer credit toward the major?

Yes. The department normally accepts up to 9 credits from off-site courses, Off-site courses include all study abroad programs and transfer credits from other schools.

Does that apply to London and Washington? Do courses there count as off-site?

Yes, they are considered off-site courses and are included in the three-course (9-credit) limit.

What about the British Parliamentary Internship? Does it count as credit for the Political Science major?

No.

Course Selection

Where can I find more information about courses?

Each semester, about two weeks before the registration period, the department office will provide a handout with course descriptions. We also post course descriptions on the bulletin board outside the department office.

How do I decide what courses to take?

All student have their own particular interests and needs, but here are some suggestions:

  • The introductory courses will prepare you for upper-level courses. You can start with your interests, but also keep in mind that some upper-level courses require prerequisite introductory courses.
  • You do not need to take all four introductory courses before you take any upper- level course. If you have taken one or more of the introductory courses, think about taking one additional introductory course, but also taking an intermediate-level course as well.
  • Think about your major and your interests when you are selecting courses outside the major. For example, choose a history course that overlaps with an area of interest within the major.

The key to making your major work for you is to integrate the resources available to you into a package that will help you reach your goals. Be sure to seek advice from faculty and your advisors, as well as other students.

Should I take economics and statistics?

These courses will introduce you to tools that will allow you to do analytical work that would otherwise be impossible. Furthermore, political science and policy studies draw on the language of microeconomics. Macroeconomics is an important foundation for the study of international political economy.

Most Master's programs in public policy or international studies expect to see both Principles of Macroeconomics and Principles of Microeconomics on your transcript.

Does the major offer departmental honors in political science at graduation?

Yes. To graduate with departmental honors, a student must:

1. Apply for departmental honors in Political Science by coming to the office and filling out a Student Academic Program Selection form and writing "HONS" in the Field of Study box.

2. Complete a senior honors thesis or area studies essay with a grade of at least a B+

3. Replace one of their four intermediate-level courses with either an additional writing seminar, a graduate course, or Research Design.

4. Graduate with a grade point average of 3.55 or higher, cumulative and in the major.

Keep this in mind when you are choosing your courses in your junior and senior years.

Effective with the class of 2010, the department is introducing a new honors track. Students in the class of 2010 should discuss the requirements for the new honors track with a department advisor.

Study Abroad

Can I study abroad?

Yes, many of our majors spend either a semester or year of study abroad.

  • Information about these programs is available from the Office of International Studies in 152 Hurley (631-5882). (link to http://www.nd.edu/~intlstud/)
  • Notre Dame students are also eligible to participate in the Saint Mary's College Semester Around the World/India Program (link to http://www.saintmarys.edu/~world/)  
  • You might also want to consider the Summer London Program, especially if your curriculum makes it harder to go abroad during the school year.  (link to http://www.nd.edu/%7Esumlon/)

To prepare for study abroad, take courses here that will help you make the most of the opportunity.  For example, take Comparative Politics and Latin American  Politics before going to Chile, to learn more about that country and prepare for the courses you will take there. Talk to your advisors here to help you choose the best courses abroad.

  • We encourage you to take courses that will complement, rather than duplicate, courses you can take here.  For example, why go to Rome to study American Politics?
  • Think about how you can use your experience to inform your studies once you come back. You may be able to use your experience abroad as the springboard for a senior thesis, or simply to appreciate your courses better.
  • It is important to plan ahead. Will you miss any deadlines for fellowships, scholarships, or special programs while you are away? Find out how you will register for your Notre Dame courses while abroad.

Any potential Political Science majors going abroad for their sophomore year should talk to an advisor in the department before they go in order to plan for their year and for when they return.

Can I study in Washington, D.C.?

Yes. For information about the Semester in Washington Program, contact their office in 163 Hurley, phone 631-7251. (link to http://www.nd.edu/~wp/)

Beyond the Classroom

Does the Political Science department have opportunities for internships?

Yes. Carolina Arroyo is our Internship Director, and she places students in internships during the semester in local government and non-profit agencies. In addition, Ms. Arroyo can give advice to students about internship opportunities that they may simply wish to pursue on their own. Although internships can count as elective credit, they do not count toward the Political Science major.

Are research grants available to undergraduates?

When funds are available, the department offers a limited number of grants for undergraduate research projects.

In addition, the College of Arts and Letters has an Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program that provides financial support to students who wish to engage in independent research and creative projects. Students design their own projects or choose a project related to the research of their supervising faculty member. For information about these grants, go to the Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts on the first floor of O'Shaughnessy.

The Kellogg Institute and the Nanovic Institute also offer summer research grants.

Post-Graduation

What do students do with a Political Science major?

The Political Science major, like other majors in the College of Arts and Letters, is best understood as part of a liberal education. It is not a professional degree, like a degree in Accounting, for example. The Political Science major helps students develop reading, writing, and analytical skills that will serve them over a lifetime. By studying politics in all its dimensions we also hope to provide students with the background to participate in political life as citizens and in some cases as advocates, decision makers, and office holders. Our most fundamental commitment is to prepare them for a lifetime of learning rather than prepare them for any particular entry-level job.

After graduation, our majors typically go onto activities such as law school, Master's programs in public policy, Master's programs in foreign affairs, or work for service organizations, government, or business. Many work for a year or two in Washington, in service activities, or in the private sector before deciding whether to graduate or professional school. We have recent graduates working in the State Department, the Justice Department, working as legislative assistants in Congress, serving in the armed forces, clerking for judges and Supreme Court Justices, raising families, writing fiction, working on Wall Street, in Hollywood, and for the Catholic Church--and just about every other profession you can imagine.

Notre Dame's Career Center (248 Flanner, phone 631-5200) can help you organize your job search. They hold job and internship fairs held in the fall and spring. Do not be afraid to ask about jobs with financial companies or consulting firms. They often have interesting jobs that involve government and political life. Do not be intimidated because you are in the College of Arts and Letters. Think about the skills you bring as a political science major: you can write well, you are articulate, you know how to do research, you know something about how government works, other countries, and international affairs. All sorts of organizations want to hire people with these skills.

A booklet, "Careers and the Study of Political Science: A Guide for Undergraduates," is available for $3.50 from the American Political Science Association, 1527 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20036. The APSA phone number is (202) 483-2512. "Storming Washington: An Intern's Guide" and "Earning a Ph.D. in Political Science" are available from the same source. The web site is www.apsanet.org

College of Arts & Letters