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

Writing Workshop for all August 16 Deadline Fellowships (Fulbright, Marshall, Rhodes)

July 7, 2024 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

You should have your essays for the Fulbright, Marshall and/or Rhodes Fellowships well underway! The internal GVSU deadline is August 16. It's not too late for feedback and guidance! If...

Writing Workshop for Fulbright US Student Program applicants (ETA and S/R)

July 25, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Have you begun work on your Fulbright U.S. Student Award essays? Would you welcome a review of the key components of the essays – and an opportunity to brainstorm opening sentences, paragraph...

Virtual Info Session: Gilman International Scholarship and other undergraduate fellowships that help with costs of study abroad - Interested in applying? Join me to learn more!

August 6, 2024 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Join me to learn more about the Gilman International Scholarship and other fellowships (external, competitive, high-impact opportunities) that help to defray the cost of undergraduate study abroad! The...

GVSU Alumni Chicago Cubs Night

August 20, 2024 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Join the Chicago Alumni Network for a fun night at Wrigley Field! Reconnect with fellow Chicago alums and watch the Chicago Cubs take on the Detroit Tigers.  Cost includes a $10 food voucher...

GVSU Rowing 60th Anniversary Celebration

September 7, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Alumni, former coaches, families, and friends of the Laker Navy are invited to celebrate 60 years of rowing at GVSU. Join us at the Alumni House in Allendale to connect with fellow alumni and friends,...

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...

Credit Reports & Scores

October 8, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Join Christopher Rusche ‘08 and Casey Byers to learn the tools to understand what a credit score is, how to read a credit report and why it is so important. We will equip you with the tools to...

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News

Pullins Wins Outstanding Paper Award

Pullins Wins Outstanding Paper Award

Sarah D. Pullins is the winner of the Outstanding Paper Award for Political Science and International Relations.

May 3, 2024

Retirement Tribute: Professor Michelle Miller-Adams

Retirement Tribute: Professor Michelle Miller-Adams

The Political Science Department congratulates Professor Michelle Miller-Adams on her retirement.

Apr 15, 2024

GV in DC Scholarship Winner: Jackson Tisdale

GV in DC Scholarship Winner: Jackson Tisdale

Jackson Tisdale is the recipient of the GV in DC Scholarship for the 2023-24 academic year.

Apr 5, 2024

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Spotlights

Richard Damstra

Richard Damstra, Public Affairs Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Riga, Latvia

Robert Monaghan

Corporate Executive and Nonprofit Leader

Erion Veliaj

Mayor of Tirana, Albania

Audrey Tappenden

Audrey Tappenden, Economic Development Assistant for Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Coldwater

Marc Plooster

Marc Plooster, Accounting Supervisor for the Holland Public Schools

Kyle McMillen

Senior Project Manager at Parker Philips, Inc.

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Page last modified October 31, 2023