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

Democracy 101: Your Voice Matters | Student Voice and Action

September 25, 2024 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Democracy 101 is a series of civic engagement informational seminars. Our second session will feature a panel of student leaders from organizations and others around campus who have made change....

Virtual Info Session: Harry S. Truman Scholarship

September 26, 2024 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you committed to public service and transformative leadership in your chosen field? Are you a current junior (and thus eligible to apply in this academic year) or a first-year or sophomore student...

Virtual Gilman Writing Workshop - Workshopping your Essay Drafts - Approaching the Finish Line!

September 26, 2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Gilman Program Application Is Now Open!  You'll have thoughtful, engaging essay drafts developing at this point - Now is the time to reflect, revise, consider voice and audience!...

Drop-in Days of Service

September 27, 2024 2:00 PM

Drop-in Days of Service are on-campus opportunities for students to "drop in" and complete service projects for service hours. They are located on GVSU's Allendale Campus in Kirkhof...

JCPenney Suit Up - Fall 2024

September 29, 2024 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM

All Grand Valley students and alumni are invited to attend a GVSU/JCPenney Suit-Up Event! This event will include options to participate virtually or in-person. In-person: Come to JCPenney at RiverTown...

GVSU Votes! Tabling Downtown

October 1, 2024 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

GVSU Votes! tabling to help get students registered to vote, know their plan to vote, and check where they are registered to vote. We want to get the downtown campus engaged and excited! RSVP...

Virtual Gilman Writing Workshop - Putting the Finishing Touches on your Gilman Essays!

October 1, 2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Gilman Program Application Is Now Open!  The Gilman October deadline is approaching! You'll have thoughtful, engaging essay drafts developing at this point - Now is the time to...

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News

PLS and IR Alumni Starting Law School

PLS and IR Alumni Starting Law School

PLS Alum Charlotte Doran is one of the GVSU Political Science and International Relations alumni starting law school this fall. Charlotte is attending the University of Michigan Law School.

Sep 18, 2024

Hoogwerf Presents Research at APSA Annual Conference

Hoogwerf Presents Research at APSA Annual Conference

GVSU student Nancy Hoogwerf attended this year's American Political Science Association conference to present climate policy research with Professor Schneider.

Sep 9, 2024

McGhee wins 2024 Zeeb Scholarship for Study Abroad

McGhee wins 2024 Zeeb Scholarship for Study Abroad

Aaron McGhee is the winner of the 2024 Zeeb Scholarship for Study Abroad.

Jul 3, 2024

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Spotlights

Jill Grifhorst

Jill Grifhorst, Event Coordinator for the U.S. Supreme Court

Richard Damstra

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

Selma Tucker

Director of Strategic Communications for the Michigan Municipal League

Hannah Patrick

Contracts Administrator for Integrated Health Partners

Steve Smith

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

Ted Woodcock

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

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Page last modified October 31, 2023