As the role of the state has grown — in the economy, education, environment, health, culture, international interactions, and many other fields — understanding the political process has become essential to explaining modern life. Politics is about power, the ends to which that power is deployed, and the normative questions that arise from its deployment. Studying political science can help you understand power, its uses and misuses and the consequences (both intended and unintended) of its use.
The academic field of political science is divided into four subfields: American politics, political theory, international relations, and comparative politics (the study of the domestic politics of countries other than the United States). At UVM, students can take courses in all four subfields from experienced teachers who are also leading scholars in their areas of research.
Earning Recognition
The departmental honors program provides opportunities for our best students to take special courses with other high-achieving political science majors and to be recognized upon graduation with departmental honors. Our best students can also qualify for membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, and be so recognized when they graduate.
First-Year Seminar Program
The department offers incoming, first-year students the opportunity to take some of our introductory core courses in a small-group setting with particular emphasis on the development of writing skills. The instructor of the course also serves as the student's advisor. This program is part of the college-wide First-Year Seminar Program. By integrating faculty from a variety of disciplines, these programs strengthen students’ intellectual, creative, and expressive abilities by providing both breadth and depth.