Department of Political Science

https://www.uvm.edu/cas/polisci

Political Science

Harold Lasswell, one of the founders of political science as an academic discipline, defined the field as the study of "who gets what, when and how."  As the role of the state has grown — in the economy, education, environment, health, culture, international interactions, and many other fields — understanding governance and the political process has become essential to explaining modern life.

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 the University of Vermont, students can take courses in all four subfields from experienced teachers who are also leading scholars in their areas of research. Whether students are interested in American politics, law, women's issues, environmental politics, media, political theory, international relations, or the politics of different world areas, they will find members of the department teaching courses and doing cutting-edge research in their fields of interest.

Civic Engagement

The minor in Civic Engagement empowers students with the knowledge, skills, and practice to contribute toward solving important civic problems as responsible citizens and professionals. Courses for the minor address six key themes: contemporary challenges; ethical deliberation; civil discourse in a pluralistic society; implementing social change; theory, policy, and governance; and engaged art, science, and design. Toward this end, the minor is broadly interdisciplinary. It draws on the humanities, social sciences, and STEM disciplines. Students completing the minor will be able to think ethically about personal and social responsibility, engage with diverse perspectives in evaluating and promoting the common good, critically analyze social contexts and catalyze change, and apply their field of academic specialization to issues of public concern.

Public Policy Analysis

The minor in Public Policy Analysis is an interdisciplinary program wherein students take classes chiefly in the fields of Political Science and Economics. In so doing, they build skills and knowledge that allow them to analyze and comprehend the sources, influences, and consequences of public policy decisions. In the field of Political Science, students are required to take courses that illuminate the key actors and institutions, especially the US Congress, that are involved in policymaking. They also have options to take courses introducing the strengths and weaknesses of different policy designs to address public problems. In Economics, students take foundational courses that will equip them with the framework and tools to make policy decisions on a variety of social issues such as health, the environment, trade, inequality, poverty, education, regulation, and inflation, all in the context of a myriad of economic goals such as growth, productivity, and employment.