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

Careers with a Cause - Student Philanthropy Week

September 23, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world and looking for a career that aligns with your values? Discover how to turn your purpose into a profession in this free, virtual session during...

Virtual Info Session: Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) & Inclusive Student Support

September 23, 2024 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Interested in intensive language study abroad? Join the CLS Director and Assistant Manager for Outreach and Selection to learn about inclusive student support with the CLS Program. The CLS Program...

The 2024 Election: Issues that Matter for College Students

September 23, 2024 4:30 PM - 5:45 PM

Join Political Science and International Relations faculty, students, and staff at our annual back-to-school open house for a discussion of key issues for college students to consider as we approach...

Identity Theft

September 24, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Join Sarah Bailey '18 and Jessie Smeltzer to learn how to protect yourself from identity theft. We will identify the methods used by identity thieves to steal personal information. Learn what information...

Virtual Gilman Writing Workshop - Workshopping your Essay Drafts - Approaching the Finish Line!

September 24, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Gilman Program Application Is Now Open!  You'll have thoughtful, engaging essay drafts developing at this point - Now is the time to reflect, revise, consider voice and audience!...

Virtual Info Session: Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) & STEM

September 24, 2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Interested in intensive language study abroad? Join CLS Program Officers and an alumni ambassador to learn about how the CLS Program can help set a student in STEM apart from the crowd. The...

Faith Over Division Tour: A Conversation with Randy Callender APPROVED INT 100/201!

September 24, 2024 7:00 PM

As our country faces new challenges of division and polarization, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the rhetoric and hostility around us. Despite the challenges, there’s an opportunity to...

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News

PLS and IR Alumni Starting Law School

PLS and IR Alumni Starting Law School

PLS Alum Charlotte Doran is one of the GVSU Political Science and International Relations alumni starting law school this fall. Charlotte is attending the University of Michigan Law School.

Sep 18, 2024

Hoogwerf Presents Research at APSA Annual Conference

Hoogwerf Presents Research at APSA Annual Conference

GVSU student Nancy Hoogwerf attended this year's American Political Science Association conference to present climate policy research with Professor Schneider.

Sep 9, 2024

McGhee wins 2024 Zeeb Scholarship for Study Abroad

McGhee wins 2024 Zeeb Scholarship for Study Abroad

Aaron McGhee is the winner of the 2024 Zeeb Scholarship for Study Abroad.

Jul 3, 2024

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Spotlights

Joshua Lunger

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

Quinlyn Mork

Studying Abroad in Ghana

Jeanine Anderson

Senior Legal Counsel at Equinix

Andrew Wilson

Senior Director of Episode Development Analytics at Signify Health

Kyle Huisman

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

Chelsea Kendziorski

Student Summer Scholar 2014

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Page last modified October 31, 2023