Political Science
School of Humanities and Sciences
As a political science major, you will explore how power and governance shape our world. Political science is the study of politics in all its forms – from laws, institutions, and elections to social movements, public opinion, and international relations. You will examine why societies create governments, how decisions are made, who holds influence, and what drives conflict and cooperation within and between nations.
What You'll Study
Political science trains you to see the world through multiple lenses, whether comparing political institutions, analyzing opinion surveys, or evaluating the causes and consequences of global crises. Through this major, you will gain analytical skills to understand complex systems and evaluate evidence critically. You will learn to interpret data, construct persuasive arguments, and write clearly and precisely. These skills prepare you to tackle pressing questions on a wide range of topics, such as inequality, representation, security, and justice.
To complete a Bachelor of Arts in political science, students focus on one of five tracks: Justice and Law; Political and Economic Development; Elections, Representation, and Governance; International Relations; or Data Science. Students supplement their primary track with a secondary track and with a variety of courses offered both in the department and throughout the university.
With a degree in political science, you will be ready for diverse career paths. Many graduates work in law, public policy, international affairs, consulting, political campaigns, or the tech industry. Others pursue careers in journalism, advocacy, or education, while some go on to advanced research in political science or related academic fields. No matter your path, political science equips you to engage with the world’s most urgent challenges and to lead with insight, rigor, and purpose.
Degrees Offered
- BA
- Minor
- Honors
More Information
Learn more about Political Science in the Stanford Bulletin
Exploratory Courses
POLISCI 1
POLISCI 101
Introduction to International Relations
POLISCI 102
POLISCI 103
Justice (ETHICSOC 171, PHIL 171, POLISCI 336S, PUBLPOL 103C)
POLISCI 124A
The American West (AMSTUD 124A, ARTHIST 152, ENGLISH 124, HISTORY 151)
POLISCI 25N
The US Congress in Historical and Comparative Perspective