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The Political Science Major

The political science major consists of 10 semester courses, including four "core" courses and one additional course from each of four area groupings including international relations, comparative western societies, comparative non-western societies, and American politics. At least three of the ten courses must be at the 300 level or above. The department encourages majors to take the statistics course in the math department and to complete the required Political Science 200 course before their senior year. Any student may propose an individual major program for consideration by the department faculty.


A Wheaton Political Science major prepares you for a number of different careers. Graduates are pursuing a broad range of careers, including lawyers in public interest, family, labor, corporate, and real estate law; judges in state and federal courts; holders of public office at the local (school board) and state level (Governor of New Jersey); policy analysts working in state and national government as well as for the democratic and republican parties; political consultants for state and national candidates; campaign coordinators and advance people in major campaigns; legislative and administrative aides to members of the U.S. House and Senate; foreign and defense policy specialists working for defense industries; the State Department and public and private sector firms; market and transportation specialists for national and international corporations; international bankers; television and print media journalists; college professors and teachers in schools.

Integrating Experience and the Discipline

The department of Political Science is committed to the integration of coursework with practical experience. We encourage our students to participate in a variety of activities outside the classroom that foster the development of experiential learning relevant to the discipline of political science. In addition, students are encouraged to study abroad and to take advantage of the Washington Semester. The lists below outline some of the experiences of our recent students. Many of the internships, which are offered in conjunction with the Filene Center for Work & Learning, provide academic credit.



INTERNSHIPS
Executive Office of the Governor
U.S. Senate and Congress
Democratic and Republican Parties
The White House
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, Inc.
Senate Committees
Public Defender Service for D.C.
State Government Internship Programs
The Academy for Advanced and Strategic Studies
United Nations
The Center for Policy Alternatives
Amnesty International
Mayor's Office
American Enterprise Institute
Heritage Foundation
Brookings Institution



CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Democratic Club
Republican Club
Wheaton Wire
WCSS News and Public Affairs
Student Government Association
Amnesty International
Environmental Groups
International Relations House
College Hearing Board
Progressive Alliance



OPPORTUNITIES ABROAD FOR STUDY AND INTERNSHIPS
PRESHCO - University of Cordoba, Spain
Boston University Global Internships in Paris, London, Moscow, Haifa, & Sydney
Institute of Asian Studies programs in Singapore, Australia, and Thailand
Wheaton Field of Study Program, Development Study Center, Rehovot, Israel
Council on International Educational Exchange programs in Eastern Europe & Africa
Butler University and Beaver College operate programs at universities in England, Scotland, Ireland, and Australia
Chinese University of Hong Kong



COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights
State and National Bar Associations
Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
The Washington Center
National Coalition for the Homeless
People for the American Way
Human Rights Agencies
Public Citizen Watch Groups



Did you know? Many of the experiences outlined could also qualify as entries on your "Second Transcript," Wheaton's Work &Public Service Record. For more information about the "Second Transcript," and the many learning and career opportunities in Political Science, please contact Kay Kimball Gruder, The Filene Center for Work & Learning, Wheaton College, Norton, MA, 508-286-8211.