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Political Science
Political science majors study systems of power, both domestic and international. It's just one other way of understanding how the world works.
Overview
As a political science student at Calvin, you'll have the opportunity to study the political foundations of a variety of nations and historical periods. You'll also be challenged to explore the ways in which your faith can impact policy and promote justice in society.
Careers in Political Science
As a graduate of this program, you might find work as a:
- State Representative
- Police Officer
- Judge
- Federal Program Administrator
- Special Interests Advocate
- Reporter
- More
See job placement rates for Calvin grads.
Student involvement
Study abroad for a semester in Washington D.C.; Participate in Model UN or Amnesty International; Run for Student Senate; Write for or edit the Chimes.
Course Requirements 2011-12
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Political Science major
(33 semester hours)
- POLS-101 American Politics
- POLS-207 Introduction to International Politics
- POLS-240 Political Ideas in Historical Perspective
- POLS-251 Methods in Political Analysis
- One course from:
- Eighteen additional semester hours from the department, which may include one interim course
- A maximum of eight semester hours of internship credit may be applied to the major.
Political Science minor
(21 semester hours)
- One course from:
- POLS-101 American Politics
- POLS-202 American State and Local Politics
- POLS-208 Urban Politics
- POLS-209 Public Administration
- POLS-212 American Public Policy
- POLS-310 Constitutional Law and Judicial Process
- POLS-312 Men, Women, and the Law
- POLS-314 The President and Congress
- POLS-317 Parties and Elections
- POLS-318 American Politics and Mass Media
- One course from:
- POLS-102 Canadian Politics
- POLS-207 Introduction to International Politics
- POLS-271 Religion and Politics in Comparative Perspective
- POLS-272 Global Democratization
- POLS-275 European Politics
- POLS-276 Latin American Politics
- POLS-277 Asian Politics
- POLS-279 African Politics
- POLS-304 International Peace and Security
- POLS-307 Terrorism
- POLS-308 Principles of American Foreign Policy
- POLS-309 International Organizations and Law
- POLS-319 International Political Economy
- POLS-328 The Global Politics of Human Rights
- One course from:
- Twelve additional semester hours from the department, which may include one interim course
Scholarships
Dollar amounts reflect awards given for the 2010-11 academic year.
- Bere' Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $900
- junior or senior
- GPA 2.50+
- planning to attend law school; financial need secondary factor; Christian character, motivation, potential for service as a lawyer
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Ronald Buikema Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,200
- senior pursuing a pre-law program or graduate program in politics or government
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need not required; preference to graduates of any Chicago are high schools
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Thomas F. Caldon, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,050
- first-year
- HS GPA 3.3+
- financial need required
- automatic consideration
- DeKryger-Monsman Memorial Prize
-
- award amount: $2,400
- senior
- GPA 2.5+
- financial need required; demonstrate academic excellence
- apply through the political science department
- Honorable John Feikens Memorial Pre-Law Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,600
- junior or senior
- financial need considered; pursuing a pre-law program or a degree in political science;planning to attend law school
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Peace and Justice Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,000
- sophomore, junior or senior
- GPA 2.5+
- financial need not required; be actively involved with global peace and justice issues
- apply through the political science department
- Dr. James Penning Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,000
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.2+
- financial need not required; be interested in a career in state and local government
- apply through the political science department
- Kenneth L. Ryskamp Scholarship
-
- award amount: $4,400
- sophomore, junior or senior
- GPA of 3.3+
- financial need required; demonstrate Christian faith and indicate how their Christian faith will be used in the practice of law and how they plan to use their law degree to benefit the Kingdom
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Charles Strikwerda Scholarship in Political Science
-
- award amount: $2,000
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need not required
- apply through the political science department
- Jacob and Rena Van Dellen Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,500
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Lyle and Barbara (Duimstra) Voskuil Family Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,600
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; preference to those interested in international and global relationships
- apply through the Political Science Department or the economics department
- Wallace (Dutch) and Olive Waalkes Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $2,800
- junior or senior
- GPA 3.0+
- financial need required; preference to seniors
- apply through the Calvin Portal
- Johan and Wilma Westra Scholarship
-
- award amount: $1,000
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need required; preference to those who are active in volunteer work and with a career goal in public service
- apply through the political science department
- Dr. Bernard Zylstra, S.J.D., Memorial Scholarship
-
- award amount: $3,600
- junior or senior
- GPA of 3.0+
- financial need not required
- apply through the history department, the philosophy department or the political science department
Faculty
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