Political science is the systematic study of government and politics. It deals with the making and implementing of public policy by means of decisions regarded as authoritative or binding for society.

Although lines of intradisciplinary specialization are not rigidly fixed, the principal subfields include political theory, American government and politics, comparative government and politics, and international relations. Within those subfields are more specialized areas of study such as political behavior and public opinion, political parties and interest groups, legislative process, the executive and public administration, public law and judicial behavior, and state and local government.

The department offers a major (13 required courses), as well as a minor (7 courses).