Political Science | Bachelor's degree | Humanities & Culture | On Campus | 4 years | Hawai'i Pacific University | USA

The political science major is designed to make students familiar with the major schools of thought and methodologies in the field of political science. Students have the opportunity to take a variety of courses in several area specialties such as Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. In addition, the political science student can also acquire a background in international relations and international law. Students become knowledgeable about American, comparative, and international politics and study the dynamics of power and decision making in various political systems. They learn to grasp the forces that determine the direction of emerging countries and their governments, and to analyze the political-economic relationship within geopolitical areas. Students can make comparisons among different political structures within the world, and understand competing historical and contemporary political thought that underpins political systems. The goal in political science is to achieve a self-reflective analysis of the institutions that socialize individuals into their political constructs.