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 in Communication and the Arts

March 25, 2025 11:00 AM - 1:30 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...

Investigating the Digital Frontier: Cybersecurity and Journalism (APPROVED INT 100/201)

March 25, 2025 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Dina Temple-Raston is an investigative journalist perhaps best known for her work at NPR, where she covered topics such as terrorism, intelligence, and cybersecurity. Now at Recorded Future News, she...

Prison Based Higher Education Rights

March 27, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM

A prisoner from Bellamy Creek will zoom in to discuss his journey in higher education while incarcerated. The audience will be free to ask him questions about his experiences.

GVSU Night at the Grand Rapids Gold

March 27, 2025 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Join us on March 27 to cheer on the GR Gold and help us beat Ferris! Your discounted $15 ticket includes entry to the game with seats in section 121, and a donation to the GVSU Student Support Fund....

Noche de Gala

March 29, 2025 8:00 PM

A fancy evening of music, dancing, and paying homage to the glamour of Latinoamérica.  There will be a DJ playing Latino-based music of all genres all night, so, dress up, bring your...

Kpop Unleashed 2025

March 30, 2025 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Kpop Group Evolution (KGE) is a Korean culture and dance organization. We use Korean pop music and cultural presentations as a way to learn more about Korean culture. No dance experience is needed...

ENS Winter 2025 Sustainability Showcase (March 31 - April 5)

March 31, 2025 All Day

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

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News

Outstanding Student Paper Competition

Outstanding Student Paper Competition

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

Feb 26, 2025

Victor Cardenas '00 2024 Alumni Service Award Recipient

Victor Cardenas '00 2024 Alumni Service Award Recipient

Victor Cardenas' life has been characterized by service to the public and Grand Valley. Cardenas graduated from GVSU in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He earned a master's degree in public affairs from Indiana University and executive

Sep 30, 2024

Professor Zinman Publishes New Book

Professor Zinman Publishes New Book

Professor Zinman's new book, America's First Wartime Election, is set to release this November. This will be his second book published with the University Press of Kansas.

Sep 25, 2024

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Spotlights

Erin (Meteer) Hendges

Campaign Fundraiser Founds Consulting Firm

Emily Brown

Master's Student Working for State Department

Greg Robinson

Greg Robinson, Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science at Binghamton University (SUNY) in New York

James Spaanstra

Energy and Natural Resources Attorney

Steve Smith

Executive Assistant to the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Worldwide Digital Content, Advertising, and Corporate Development

Kyle Huisman

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

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Page last modified February 13, 2025