Our lives are affected by politics every day, and political events are happening all around us. Political Science is the study of politics and power in its many forms, including protest movements and revolutions, law-making and criminal justice, war and international conflicts, human rights violations and efforts to stop them, campaigns and elections in the U.S. and around the world, and competing political ideas and ideologies.
Our courses provide the tools to analyze and understand all of these things and more, and they also help students develop skills in research, analysis, writing, and speaking that are necessary for success in a variety of professions. Our graduates work in nonprofit organizations, international affairs, law, business, education, advocacy groups, and in local, state, and national government.
The GVSU Political Science Department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science. We also host an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations.
February 4, 2025 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
GVSU Alumni Relations is excited to announce "Leading the Way," a special event with President Philomena V. Mantella in NY. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and beverages, and hear President...
February 5, 2025 1:30 PM - 2:45 PM
Democracy 101 is a series of civic engagement informational seminars. Please join us for the fifth and final session. Prof. Lisa Perhamus and Prof. Laura Schneider will co-facilitate, and the Civil...
February 6, 2025 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Are you an international student looking to find a job while navigating the complexities of the U.S. immigration system? Join us for an exclusive event hosted by The Build Fellowship and F1...
February 10, 2025 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
GVSU Alumni David Luke, PhD, current Chief Diversity Officer at University of Michigan-Flint, will examine and explain how sociology can assist in institutional goals to further diversity, equity,...
February 13, 2025 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Are you preparing for an upcoming sabbatical or other form of leave? Intrigued by the idea of a Fulbright Scholar or Fulbright Specialist award and eager to learn more? Join this Fulbright Scholar...
February 16, 2025 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM
This is an in person cultural banquet that will be hosted on February 16th, 2025, 5:00-9:00PM, in the Kirkhof Grand River Room. This event is open to the student body and general public. The program...
February 18, 2025 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
PANELISTS: Michael DeWilde, Professor of Management and Director of Koeze Business Ethics Initiative Tim Gutwald, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer of Mentavi Health Mark Johnson,...
Victor Cardenas' life has been characterized by service to the public and Grand Valley. Cardenas graduated from GVSU in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He earned a master's degree in public affairs from Indiana University and executive
Sep 30, 2024
Professor Zinman's new book, America's First Wartime Election, is set to release this November. This will be his second book published with the University Press of Kansas.
Sep 25, 2024
PLS Alum Charlotte Doran is one of the GVSU Political Science and International Relations alumni starting law school this fall. Charlotte is attending the University of Michigan Law School.
Sep 18, 2024
Senior Project Manager at Parker Philips, Inc.
Shaun Brodie, Senior Staff Attorney for the Benefits Review Board at the U.S. Department of Labor.
Clerk's Assistant with Oakland Township
Assistant Attorney General for the State of Maryland
Mayor of Tirana, Albania
Senior Legal Counsel at Equinix
