To make change, understand power. 

Our lives are affected by politics every day, and political events are happening all around us. Political Science is the study of politics and power in its many forms, including protest movements and revolutions, law-making and criminal justice, war and international conflicts, human rights violations and efforts to stop them, campaigns and elections in the U.S. and around the world, and competing political ideas and ideologies.

Our courses provide the tools to analyze and understand all of these things and more, and they also help students develop skills in research, analysis, writing, and speaking that are necessary for success in a variety of professions. Our graduates work in nonprofit organizations, international affairs, law, business, education, advocacy groups, and in local, state, and national government.

The GVSU Political Science Department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science. We also host an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations.


Events

Travel Program Info Session

March 20, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Join us March 20 at noon to learn more about GVSU’s new Alumni Travel Program and find out why our inaugural tour has been voted a #1 favorite for over 20 years! Also learn about our Spring...

JCPenney Suit Up - Winter 2024

March 24, 2024 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

All Grand Valley students and alumni are invited to attend a GVSU/JCPenney Suit-Up Event! This event will include options to participate virtually or in-person. In-person: Come to JCPenney at RiverTown...

Adam Sturdivant, Partner at Drew Cooper & Anding

March 26, 2024 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

The Political Science Department invites you to hear from attorney Adam Sturdivent. After graduating from GVSU, Adam began practicing law in Ohio but returned to Grand Rapids in 2008. Come hear about...

Careers in Communication and the Arts

March 26, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Careers in Communication & The Arts allows students to learn more about career opportunities in communications, journalism, writing, film and video, and related sectors. Students will network with...

This is a work for the mothers: Strategic Maternalism Against the Far Right featuring Lorna Bracewell

April 4, 2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Recent debates over public school curricula, including “anti-CRT” initiatives and attacks on “gender ideology,” have led to a reinvigoration of maternalist politics in the United...

Kpop Unleashed 2024

April 7, 2024 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

K-Pop Unleashed is K-Pop Group Evolution's annual dance and cultural showcase. This event features performances and discussions from both Grand Valley clubs and other organizations in the Grand...

SUSTAINABILITY SHOWCASE (Apr 8-13)

April 8, 2024 All Day

You're invited to come learn about the research projects, innovative designs, and assessments that students in the Environmental and Sustainability Studies (ENS) Program have been working on this...

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News

Tafel Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Tafel Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Dr. Tafel wins Pew Teaching Excellence Award

Feb 19, 2024

Outstanding Student Paper Competition

Outstanding Student Paper Competition

Eligibility is open to all students who major in political science or international relations.

Feb 13, 2024

John T. Batchelder Political Science Scholarship

John T. Batchelder Political Science Scholarship

The John T. Batchelder scholarship is funded by a generous grant from the Batchelder family. The scholarship honors Dr. John Thayer Batchelder who served as a Grand Valley State University professor until his retirement in 1997.

Feb 13, 2024

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Spotlights

Alan Dunklow

Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland

Ryan Meyer

Ryan Meyer, Program Manager for the American College of Cardiology.

Reginald Oates

Program Evaluator for Government-funded Programs

Kyle Huisman

Research Analyst at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research

Rebekah Bailey

Rebakah Bailey, Partner at Nichols Kaster in Minneapolis

Joshua Lunger

Joshua Lunger, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

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Page last modified October 31, 2023