Political Science

Overview

The Department of Political Science at Jacksonville University offers both a B.S. and a B.A. option for majors, as well as a 15-credit minor. 

What you'll study

Our curriculum emphasizes study in traditional subfields of the discipline including American Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, and International Affairs. Introductory courses expose students to central theories, arguments, and perspectives in domestic and global politics. Upper-level electives explore specific political institutions or elements of the political system. 

These classes are complemented by skills courses in quantitative data analysis and social science research methods. Students also can further their specific interests through special topics courses taught by department faculty. Recent examples include “Scandal and Corruption in American Politics,” “The Politics of Drugs and Guns,” “Politics and Popular Culture,” and “The Politics of Harry Potter.”

Experiential Learning

The mission of the JU Department of Political Science is to equip students with the foundational knowledge and practical skills to be responsible and engaged local and global public citizens. This objective is met by courses centering on classroom and virtual engagement through individual and group projects, presentations, and simulation exercises, such as debates and model UN delegations.

Outside of class, students can take part in a variety of activities to develop their interest in policy, as well as their leadership skills, including attending campus events hosted by the JU Public Policy Institute, organizing speakers for the JU Political Science Society, and participating on the mock trial competition team.

Realizing the practical nature of daily civic engagement, department majors are encouraged to further individualize their degree plan through experiential learning by completing a political internship within the City of Jacksonville or the student’s home city, state, or country.