Political Science
Understand the politics that shape our lives
DePaul’s political science program studies the organization and behavior of people, groups and institutions that make up political and governmental systems. You will be introduced to questions, perspectives and arguments about the political forces that shape your life.
A degree in political science incorporates historical, psychological, sociological, economic and philosophical dimensions to help you develop critical thinking, research and communication skills.
Chicago, one of the most dynamic political scenes in the United States, offers many opportunities for you to become involved in politics, non-profit organizations and advocacy organizations, allowing you to apply your coursework to real life situations.
You can earn a combined bachelor’s + master’s degree in Political Science and Journalism. This program allows you to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in as few as five years.
We also offer the 3+3 BA/JD Program, which allows high-achieving first-year undergraduate students to be admitted simultaneously to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (LAS) and the College of Law (LAW). You’ll complete your first three years in LAS and your final three years in LAW.
The political science department also offers minors in American Politics, International Politics, and Public Law/Political Thought.
Classes
Coursework
- The American Political System
- International Relations
- Comparative Politics
- Public Law
- Political Analysis and Research
- Politics and Multiculturalism
- Political Action and Social Justice
Resources
Concentrations/Tracks
- American Politics
- International Politics
- Law and Theory
- Standard
Career Options
Common Career Areas
- Law
- Social service
- International relations
- Humanitarian efforts
- Research and urban planning
- Campaign management
- Political work
- Education
90%
of Political Science graduates were employed, continuing their education or not seeking employment after graduation.
Major Requirements
Political Science majors must complete the requirements for one of the following four concentrations: Standard, American Politics, International Politics, or Law and Theory. Each concentration requires courses drawn from different subfields of Political Science. The classes within each subfield are listed below. To determine the specific distribution of courses across subfields, students should consult the concentration requirements which can be accessed via the link on the left side of this webpage.
Open Electives
Open elective credits are required in order to meet the minimum graduation requirement of 192 hours. These courses are to be selected in consultation with the student's faculty adviser and may include courses in fields such as economics, history, English, sociology, etc. Students may choose to use their open electives as part of a minor or to complete a double major.
Course Listing by Category
Methodology
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POLITICAL INQUIRY | ||
| GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS | ||
| STATISTICS FOR THE SOCIAL SCIENCES | ||
| POLITICAL ANALYSIS AND RESEARCH | ||
| WRITING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE |
Political Culture
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| POLITICAL PSYCHOLOGY | ||
| LATINO POLITICS | ||
| POLITICAL SOCIALIZATION | ||
| AMERICAN POLITICAL CULTURE | ||
| WOMEN AND POLITICS | ||
| AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLITICS | ||
| TOPICS IN POLITICAL CULTURE | ||
| POLITICAL CULTURE AND DEVELOPMENT | ||
| LGBTQ POLITICS | ||
| INTERNET, TECHNOLOGY, AND POLITICS | ||
| RELIGION, NATIONALISM AND POLITICS | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN POLITICAL CULTURE |
American Politics
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM | ||
| THE AMERICAN PRESIDENCY | ||
| CONGRESS AND THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS | ||
| POLITICAL PARTIES AND ELECTIONS | ||
| URBAN POLITICS | ||
| STATE POLITICS | ||
| LATINO POLITICAL BEHAVIOR | ||
| TOPICS IN AMERICAN POLITICS | ||
| MASS MEDIA AND AMERICAN POLITICS | ||
| URBAN POLICYMAKING | ||
| CHICAGO GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS | ||
| INEQUALITY IN AMERICAN SOCIETY | ||
| IDEOLOGY, ECONOMICS AND POLICY | ||
| PUBLIC OPINION | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN AMERICAN POLITICS | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN PUBLIC POLICY |
Political Thought
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL THEORY | ||
| CLASSICAL POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| LIBERALISM, CONSERVATISM, AND DEMOCRACY | ||
| POLITICAL IDEAS AND IDEOLOGIES | ||
| FREEDOM AND EMPOWERMENT | ||
| EQUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | ||
| LEGITIMACY AND CRISIS | ||
| TOPICS IN POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| MARXISM | ||
| THEORIES OF THE CHURCH | ||
| AFRICAN-AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| CHRISTIAN POLITICAL THOUGHT | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN POLITICAL THOUGHT |
International Relations
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | ||
| AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY | ||
| RUSSIAN-AMERICAN RELATIONS | ||
| LATIN AMERICAN-UNITED STATES RELATIONS | ||
| ASIAN FOREIGN POLICY | ||
| U.S. - AFRICA RELATIONS | ||
| WAR, PEACE, AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION | ||
| TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS | ||
| THE EUROPEAN UNION | ||
| POLITICAL ISLAM AND AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY | ||
| ARMS, SECURITY, AND WAR | ||
| ASIAN POLITICAL ECONOMY | ||
| WORLD POLITICAL ECONOMY | ||
| THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN WORLD POLITICS | ||
| THE UNITED NATIONS AND WORLD PROBLEMS | ||
| ETHICS IN WORLD POLITICS | ||
| GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLITICS | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS |
Comparative Politics
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS | ||
| EUROPEAN POLITICS | ||
| RUSSIAN POLITICS | ||
| LATIN AMERICAN POLITICS | ||
| ASIAN POLITICS | ||
| AFRICAN POLITICS | ||
| MIDDLE EAST POLITICS | ||
| CYBER WARFARE AND CYBER POLITICS | ||
| TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS | ||
| JAPANESE POLITICS | ||
| REVOLUTION AND TERRORISM | ||
| CHINESE POLITICS | ||
| COMPARATIVE DEMOCRACY AND DICTATORSHIP | ||
| GLOBAL GENDER POLITICS | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN COMPARATIVE POLITICS |
Public Law
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| LAW AND THE POLITICAL SYSTEM | ||
| FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS | ||
| RIGHTS OF DEFENDANTS | ||
| EQUAL PROTECTION OF THE LAWS | ||
| LAW AND POPULAR CULTURE | ||
| TOPICS IN PUBLIC LAW | ||
| INTERNATIONAL LAW | ||
| THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM | ||
| WOMEN AND THE LAW | ||
| VOTING, REPRESENTATION, AND THE LAW | ||
| NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE U.S. CONSTITUTION | ||
| IMMIGRATION LAW | ||
| RIGHTS-BASED SOCIAL MOVEMENTS | ||
| ADVANCED TOPICS IN PUBLIC LAW |
Experiential Politics
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MODEL UN | ||
| POLITICAL ACTION AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | ||
| MOCK TRIAL: CIVIL LAW | ||
| MOCK TRIAL: CRIMINAL LAW | ||
| CAMPAIGNS AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT |
Other Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SPECIAL TOPICS | ||
| CAPSTONE SEMINAR | ||
| INTERNSHIP | ||
| HONORS SEMINAR | ||
| SENIOR THESIS | ||
| TRAVEL/STUDY | ||
| INDEPENDENT STUDY |
