Undergraduate Program

What Is Political Science?

As Harold Laswell famously noted, politics is “who gets what, when, and how.”  Political science is an academic discipline focused on the study of political ideas, institutions, processes, policies, and behavior in the United States and around the world.

Why Study Political Science?

Are you interested in politics in the US and globally? Questions concerning how we ought to govern ourselves? Critical issues such as health, the environment, and civil rights?  Theories about how power and resources are allocated in society?  Do you want to study these subjects and pursue a career based on your interest?  If so, you should consider studying political science.  Political science majors gain a versatile set of analytical and organizational skills that can be applied in a wide range of exciting careers in government, law, business, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, survey research, journalism, and teaching.

Why Study Political Science At UNC?

The UNC Department of Political Science is consistently rated as one of the top 15 political science departments in the country.  Our internationally renowned faculty is dedicated to exposing students to cutting-edge political science research and scholarship.  In recent years, UNC political science majors have won national and international honors, including the Rhodes, Luce, and Gates Cambridge Scholarships.  Political Science is one of the largest undergraduate majors at UNC-Chapel Hill, yet there is ample opportunity for students to receive individual attention and assistance as they pursue their chosen course of study. Many classes have fewer than 30 students, and our faculty members are committed to creating interesting and relevant classroom environments. Over the years, many of our faculty members have been recognized for their efforts with multiple teaching awards.