Program Overview

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at Xavier University challenges students to pursue answers to the vital questions of equity, justice, and peace in the modern world. The program provides a rigorous education in political science, considering the best political and social science literature to gain a deeper understanding of contemporary domestic and foreign controversies.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science includes a variety of courses that provide students with a comprehensive understanding of political science. The sample course sequence is as follows:

• First Year:
  • Fall:
    • CORE 100: First Year Seminar or THEO 111: Theological Foundations (3cr)
    • Second Language I (3cr)
    • ENGLISH 101: English Composition or ENGL 115: Rhetoric (3cr)
    • POLI 120: Comparative Govt and Politics or POLI 140: American Govt and Politics (3cr)
    • MATHEMATICS 116: Elementary Statistics or MATH 156: General Statistics (3cr)
    • CORE 101: GOA Co-curriculum Program I (0cr)
  • Spring:
    • POLI 120: Comparative Govt and Politics or POLI 140: American Govt and Politics (3cr)
    • PHIL 100: Ethics as Intro to Philosophy (3cr)
    • Second Language II (3cr)
    • CORE 100: First Year Seminar or THEO 111: Theological Foundations (3cr)
    • Scientific Perspectives Elective (3cr)
    • CORE 102: GOA Co-curriculum Program II (0cr)
• Sophomore:
  • Fall:
    • ECON 200: Microeconomic Principles (3cr)
    • POLI 277: International Relations (3cr)
    • Quantitative Elective (3cr)
    • Theological Perspectives Elective (3cr)
    • PHIL 200: Philosophical Perspectives (3cr)
  • Spring:
    • ECON 201: Macroeconomic Principles (3cr)
    • POLI 301: Political Philosophy (3cr)
    • Social Science Elective (3cr)
    • Writing Intensive Elective (3cr)
    • Historical Perspectives (3cr)
• Junior:
  • Fall:
    • ENGL 205/ CLAS 205/ GERM 205/ SPAN 205: Literature and the Moral Imagination (3cr)
    • Political Science Elective 1 (3cr)
    • Political Science Elective 2 (3cr)
    • ER/S Elective (3cr)
    • General Elective (3cr)
  • Spring:
    • Political Science Elective 3 (3cr)
    • Political Internship (3cr)
    • DCR Elective (3cr)
    • Natural Sciences/Lab Elective (3cr)
    • General Elective (3cr)
• Senior:
  • Fall:
    • POLI 390: Sem: International Relations or POLI 391: Sem: American Government (3cr)
    • Political Science Elective 4 (3cr)
    • Humanities Elective (3cr)
    • General Elective (3cr)
    • General Elective (3cr)
  • Spring:
    • Political Science Elective 6 (3cr)
    • Creative Perspectives Elective (3cr)
    • Oral Elective (3cr)
    • General Elective (3cr)
    • General Elective (3cr)

Outcomes

98% of Xavier students, including those in the political science major, are working, volunteering, or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2023).

Career Opportunities

The program provides students with a wide range of career opportunities, including:

• Campaign Fieldwork
• City Planning
• Community Relations
• Consumer Research
• Demography
• Editorial Writing
• Financial Planning
• Foreign Service
• Government Relations
• Grant Writing
• International Banking
• Non-Governmental Organizations
• Nonprofit Organizations
• Law
• Legislative Assistance
• Political Systems Research
• Public Administration
• Public Policy
• Public Relations
• Reporting
• Statistical Research
• Teaching

Professional Development

Xavier's Career Development Office assists students in their search for employment by offering individual career counseling sessions, conducting workshop series on interviewing and resume writing techniques, and maintaining an educational, vocational, and employer information resource center.

Sample Courses

The program offers a variety of sample courses, including:

Governing Cincinnati (POLI 241)

Examination of the politics and government of Cincinnati, including local campaign politics, policy decision-making, and the influences of local media.

American Political Humor (POLI 250)

This course examines the role of political humor and satire in American politics and how political humor, comedy, and satire shape public opinion and political outcomes.

International Relations (POLI 277)

This course covers various aspects of international relations, offering an exploration of key concepts and practices shaping global politics.

Political Philosophy (POLI 301)

This course provides a comprehensive analysis of fundamental issues in political philosophy, focusing particularly on the significance and critique of classic modernity.

Clubs

The program offers a variety of clubs, including:

• College Democrats
• College Republicans
• Mock Trial Team
• Political Science Club
• Women in Politics

Related Programs

The program is related to other majors and minors, including:

• BA in Communication Studies
• BA in Economics
• BSBA in Economics
• BA in History
• BSBA in International Business
• BA in International Studies
• BA in Philosophy, Politics, and the Public
• American Founding and Constitution
• History
• Economics
• Peace and Justice Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Communication
• Political Economy
• Political Thought
• Political Science
• Public History
• Sociology

Program Features

The program features internships that shape students' futures, develop essential research skills, broaden their world view through study abroad programs, and provide guidance from expert faculty.