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

Asian Block-printing Workshop

February 17, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

One of the Asian Student Achievement Program (ASAP) goals is to spread awareness and appreciation of Asian American/Pacific Islander culture here at Grand Valley. Anyone and everyone is welcome...

Secchia Breakfast Lecture - Ethical AI in Business: Challenges, Choices, and Consequences

February 18, 2025 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

PANELISTS: Michael DeWilde, Professor of Management and Director of Koeze Business Ethics Initiative Tim Gutwald, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Mentavi Health Mark Johnson,...

Presidents' Day Celebration Lunch featuring Nicole Hemmer (APPROVED INT 100/201)

February 18, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Hauenstein Center Scholar-In-Residence Dr. Nicole Hemmer returns to present our annual Presidents’ Day Celebration lecture, in which she will explore the topic of presidential accountability...

School of Communications Robert Mayberry Memorial Lecture

February 19, 2025 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

The annual Robert Mayberry Memorial Lecture will feature local journalism in Nigeria’s conflict zones and its role in documenting human rights abuses, exposing corruption, and amplifying...

GVSU Winter 2025 Career and Internship Fair

February 20, 2025 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Winter Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni...

Frederik Meijer Lecture Series featuring Vetr Health (APPROVED INT 100/201)

February 21, 2025 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Join Rachel and Sadoc, founders of local home veterinary care company Vetr Health as they recount their entrepreneurial experience and reflect on building an innovative business model in a competitive...

Childhood Games across Cultures (APPROVED INT 100/201)

February 25, 2025 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Play is a vital part of childhood development, shaping who we are and how we connect with others. What were the games that defined your childhood? How might the childhood games you played reflect the...

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News

Victor Cardenas '00 2024 Alumni Service Award Recipient

Victor Cardenas '00 2024 Alumni Service Award Recipient

Victor Cardenas' life has been characterized by service to the public and Grand Valley. Cardenas graduated from GVSU in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He earned a master's degree in public affairs from Indiana University and executive

Sep 30, 2024

Professor Zinman Publishes New Book

Professor Zinman Publishes New Book

Professor Zinman's new book, America's First Wartime Election, is set to release this November. This will be his second book published with the University Press of Kansas.

Sep 25, 2024

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

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Spotlights

Steve Smith

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

Erin (Meteer) Hendges

Campaign Fundraiser Founds Consulting Firm

Amanda Fortino

Amanda Fortino, Director of Leadership Giving at Farm Sanctuary

James Meernik

Political Science Professor

Toby Hutchins

Toby Hutchins, Vice President of Fennville Board of Education

Natalie Cleary

Natalie Cleary, Buyer for Meijer

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Page last modified February 13, 2025