Are you interested in American Politics? International Affairs? Law? Critical issues such as health, poverty, security, the environment, civil rights? Theories concerning the ideal government and how power and resources are allocated in society? Do you want to study these subjects and pursue a career based on your interests? Do you want to be in classes that engage you, force you to develop your opinions, and debate with those with different understandings of politics? Do you want a close relationship with your faculty? Participate in simulations? Apply your learning in real situations? Travel?

If so, you should choose political science as a major at Millikin University. Political science is the study of governments, public policies and political behavior. Political science uses both humanistic and scientific perspectives and skills to examine the United States and all countries and regions of the world. We will deliberately help you learn and practice the skills necessary to be successful in working in these fields.

As a political science major, you will hone the writing, communications, analytical and computer skills that are essential to an educated person. This kind of education will prepare you to think critically and independently, with tolerance for others and concern for current affairs. Today, students can reasonably expect to change jobs more than once and even to have more than one career. A political science degree at Millikin University is an excellent preparation for the flexibility that you are likely to encounter.

Adapted from "Political Science: An Ideal Liberal Arts Major" published by the American Political Science Association, 2002.

Millikin student, Jimmy LeVault, standing with Democractic U.S. Senator Barack Obama.

"Political Science students will be confronted with conflicting opinions on certain political and social issues. You will learn to defend your positions with substantial evidence and factual support rather than simply saying, 'because I feel that way.'"
-- Sarah Torricelli '00