In Autumn 2016, the Department of Political Science will introduce a restructured Bachelor of Arts degree, with seven new specialization options. These new specializations will focus on the most critical political questions facing us today, and allow students to better tailor their education to their interests while clearly communicating their skills and education to employers. Our students will be able to specialize in: 

1) Democracy and law
What is democracy? What makes democracy possible? How can the performance of democratic institutions be improved?

2) Political identities and allegiances
How does who you are – your gender, race, ethnicity, religion, and nationality – matter in politics? How are individual and group identities created, and how do they shape our political decisions?

3) Political economy and development
How do political institutions promote or hinder economic development in a globalizing world? What is the relationship between state and economy, both domestically and internationally?

4) Cooperation, conflict and violence
What are the origins of violent conflict? What role do nationalism, ideological extremism, ethnic divisions, resource scarcity and national security concerns play in fueling conflict? What are the sources of cooperation and stability at the domestic and international levels?

5) Inequality and justice
What are the values that structure political life? How does the experience of inequality and injustice motivate or frustrate political action?

6) Political leadership and reform
How can political actors and ordinary citizens make a difference in the world? What are the skills necessary to organize and lead successful campaigns for political change?

7) Political analysis
What tools do we need to understand political life? How can data analysis and political theory help us understand the world? 

For more information about the Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree, visit the BA page on our website. For questions about these changes, contact one of our advisors.