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COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science professor Camille Burge teaches a class.

The Political Science Department offers a bachelors in Political Science, a minor in Political Science, and a five-year bachelors/masters in Political Science. 

The political science faculty are teacher-scholars who help students understand the role politics plays in transforming the world at home and abroad. Our faculty take pride in mentoring their students and preparing them for fulfilling and successful personal and professional lives. Faculty and members of the Student Advisory Council work together closely in planning events and updating the curriculum. Our faculty members offer courses in American politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Political Theory.  Consequently, our curriculum encompasses courses on US domestic politics, the international factors that shape global affairs, as well as courses that compare the domestic politics of different regions of the globe, and courses that explore political ideas, philosophy and the ideologies that have shaped political behavior and outcomes in different parts of the world.

 

WHY POLITICAL SCIENCE?

Political scientists quip that God gave all the easy problems to physicists because atoms are far less unruly and unpredictable than politicians, voters and nations. Analyzing political problems therefore requires discussion to draw from a wide range of theories and methodologies to understand political phenomena. Review the full course catalog here.

Our faculty speak ten different languages and they have learned over a dozen different software programs in order to turn their curiosity about the world into tangible insights to make it better. Their curiosity is not limited to their research but also extends to their students. They constantly try to pass on this curiosity to their students so that it can enrich their lives, they try to develop their analytical skills so that students learn to find their own answers, and they make sure that students graduate with a desire to become life-long learners. Review the full course catalog here.

Learning extends well beyond the classroom as our students have a chance to study abroad in the heart of Prague or to meet exchange students and faculty through our partnership with the University of Lille. Students may also enroll in the Minimester program in Washington, DC, participate in Villanova on the Hill and attend lectures and research presentations on campus. We also provide opportunities for our students to meet successful alumni and gain practical work experience through internships and practicum courses. Learn more about opportunities in the department.

Fathe Allen
Senior Administrative Assistant
Department of Political Science
Villanova University

 

WHO WE ARE

Chayla Sherrod ’18 CLAS

Chayla Sherrod ’18 CLAS was a 2018-2019 Fulbright Fellow in Namibia and attends the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. “With the assistance of Villanova’s Center for Research Fellowship team and faculty mentors, such as Dr. Camille Burge of the Political Science department, I was awarded a Fulbright Student Research Grant to Windhoek, Namibia. I investigated the importance of Namibia’s Community-Based Natural Resource Management Programme (CBNRM) and how it strengthened community empowerment. Working with the national university in Namibia, local human rights organizations, and the World Wildlife Fund could not have been possible without my preparation at Villanova.”

Elizabeth Pianucci ’20 CLAS

Elizabeth Pianucci ’20 CLAS says, “I have truly enjoyed every PSC course that I have taken which has made being a Political Science student one of the best choices that I made at Villanova. But if I had to pick one, I would choose the Washington Minimester program. Not only is Dr. Kerbel one of the best people you could ever meet, this trip was the epitome of the ideal Political Science course. Living in DC and learning firsthand about each of the most powerful actors that shape our nation was both humbling and inspiring.”

John “Trey” Ferguson ’20 CLAS

John “Trey” Ferguson ’20 CLAS is pursuing his JD/MBA at Vanderbilt University. “My only advice to students is to form relationships with teachers! In my experience, professors at Villanova really want students to succeed and are willing to put in the extra work to help them do so. Having spoken to students at other schools, we really are in a unique position at Villanova. I recommend students go to office hours, even if they are not particularly struggling in a class. This is a great opportunity to both give and receive feedback in order to foster a more comfortable learning environment!”