Government and International Relations

Undergraduate Program

Why are some governments stable and others unstable? How do formal government institutions and informal political resources affect the ability of leaders to govern effectively? What factors cause wars or contribute to a peaceful resolution of conflicts? How do public policies affect citizens’ lives and how can citizens affect those policies? In what ways do differences in the social characteristics of people, such as their race, religion, gender, or ethnic background, affect their political attitudes and behavior? And most important, who gets to decide who will decide these and other matters when conflicts over them arise? The department offers courses that address these questions and others—in international relations,American politics andcomparative politics. The curriculum provides theories and concepts, relevant information and tools for investigation for students to develop their own answers.

Internships And Study Abroad
Internships with American local, state and federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, elected political officials, public-interest groups, and law firms can earn students government major credit. Study abroad may also fulfill major requirements. To receive government major or minor credit, a student must be supervised by his or her faculty adviser or another faculty member in the department.

Nonmajor Concentration
Certain fields of study can be taken as concentrations in addition to and complementary to the government major. Some concentration requirements may also fulfill government major requirements. (See specific catalog sections on these concentrations.)

Student Handbook
The government department publishes a handbook, which has a more extensive description of major requirements, programs, courses and faculty, as well as other information relevant to the major.  This information can be found online on the department home page or a hard copy can be picked up in the Government department office, Jef 302.

About Government and International Relations

Department Home Program Requirements Program Minor Honors

Additional Resources

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