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

Dominican Dance Night

April 1, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Learn merengue, bachata, and salsa from GV's own Profesor Serrata and Profesora Castellanos! RSVP on LakerLink

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...

El Festival de Musica: Fuego

April 6, 2024 8:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Hey y'all! The Latino Student Union invites you to our Winter baile El Festival de Musica: Fuego! The baile takes place on Saturday, April 06, and starts at 8:00PM on Kirkhof rm: 2250 (Grand...

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...

SUSTAINABILITY SHOWCASE (Apr 8-13)

April 9, 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...

SUSTAINABILITY SHOWCASE (Apr 8-13)

April 10, 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

Student named as Truman Scholarship Finalist

Student named as Truman Scholarship Finalist

Junior Nancy Hoogwerf becomes fifth Laker to receive honor.

Mar 20, 2024

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

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Spotlights

Andrew Wilson

Senior Director of Episode Development Analytics at Signify Health

James Meernik

Political Science Professor

Kyle Huisman

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

Ted Woodcock

City Planner/Zoning Administrator for the City of Norton Shores, Michigan

Alex Houseman

Director of Government Affairs for Big I Michigan

Kyle McMillen

Senior Project Manager at Parker Philips, Inc.

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Page last modified October 31, 2023