ChooseWhy Choose This Program?
Why Study Political Science at Goucher?
Interested in a little nation-building? Whether it's going on in Washington, DC, or Wellington, New Zealand, Goucher's Political Science Program provides a rich and diverse understanding of the character of politics and public policy in communities ranging from cities to international systems. Whether pursuing a minor or major in political science, courses explore theoretical and practical aspects of politics and the processes by which policies, rules, and political cultures are established—and contested.
LearnWhat Will You Learn?
What Will You Learn?
The political science major places emphasis on the relation between politics in theory and politics in action. It equips students seeking a political science degree with the skills necessary to conduct independent research on important political questions and to participate in public problem-solving. Students will learn to raise critical questions regarding power, political institutions, and political actors, to ask questions in a complex way and distinguish between tested and untested opinion, and to have a firm understanding of the political systems in which they are found. Other program goals include having students become engaged citizens globally, nationally, and locally. Learn More
DoWhat Will You Do?
What Will You Do?
Within the context of a liberal arts college, the program gives special attention to preparing students for careers in government, politics, public interest organizations, law, and journalism, as well as providing training useful for those wishing to pursue graduate or professional degrees. Certification for teaching social studies in secondary schools may be based on a major in political science or international relations. As one of the best colleges for political science, Goucher offers a Political Science Program that seeks to sensitize students to the role of the active citizen who is responsibly assertive in the community.
Course Curriculum
Faculty
Major & Minor Program Contact
Nina Kasniunas, Department Chair, Associate Professor of Political Science: American politics
Full-Time & Half-Time Faculty
Julie Chernov Hwang, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations: political
Islam, Islamist political parties, radical Islamism, social movements, terrorism and
disengagement from terrorism, countering violent extremism, conflict and security,
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey
Bill Harder, Assistant Professor of Political Science: American politics, research methods, social media politics
Amalia Fried Honick, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations: Middle East, international organizations, U.S. foreign policy
Nina Kasniunas, Associate Professor of Political Science: American politics
Study Abroad
By studying abroad, choosing three-week intensive courses led by Goucher faculty or semester programs suited to their academic plans, Goucher political science students gain a global perspective that enhances their course of study.
Visit the Office of Global Education website for more information.
Opportunities & Internships
Special Programs
Hughes Center for Politics
Funded by an endowment made by the late Judge Sarah T. Hughes 1917, the Sarah T. Hughes Center for Politics was originally founded in the early 1950s under a grant from the Maurice and Laura Falk Foundation. The center sponsors a variety of activities designed to facilitate student involvement in governmental and political affairs.
The Hughes Center conducts the Goucher College Poll, which surveys citizens across Maryland on the most important political, social, and economic issues of the day.
The center also sponsors a variety of programming to engage students in politics and public discourse.
Internships
Internships help students explore possibilities, apply classroom learning, and gain experience. Explore internships and credit options.
Student Employment
Student employment connects students to both on and off-campus opportunities. The Career Education Office provides resources and support to students with or without Federal Work Study to find jobs, submit applications, and learn more about the job search process. Students have access to Handshake — a website for job postings, events, resumes/cover letters, and career management.
Major & Career Exploration
Exploring career options, choosing a major, and making career decisions is a multi-step process in which all students are encouraged to engage early and often. Goucher students have a variety of resources available through the Majors and Career page to assist them in this process.
Job Search
A Goucher education prepares students for today’s job market and beyond. Students can explore job opportunities and access job search resources through the CEO Job Search page.
Graduate & Professional School
Students access resources for searching and applying to graduate and professional school through the CEO Graduate and Professional School page, through faculty and staff members, or utilizing their own resources, network and tools.
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School 4+1 BA/MS Program
Goucher College and Johns Hopkins Carey Business School are offering Goucher students a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program. This 4+1 program combines a bachelor’s degree from Goucher with a master of science degree from Johns Hopkins in business analytics and risk management, information systems, health care management, finance, or marketing. Students can apply during their junior year. GRE or GMAT tests have been waived but applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or better and have passed some quantitative reasoning courses with a grade of B or better.
I am a Global Changemaker
Jeff Castro ‘24
Regional Distributed Organizer for the Democratic National Committee
“I thought of Baltimore originally as a way to get my foot in the door, but I’ve fallen in love with Baltimore politics. It’s the ‘Smalltimore’ phrase. It’s been a revelation for me. Everyone you meet here is looking out for each other, and it’s like you can find a mutual friend with almost anyone you meet.”
News
- October 2, 2024
With the election less than six weeks away, opportunities for civic and voter engagement abound on Goucher’s campus—through courses, events, and grants to support those efforts.
- January 30, 2024
Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations Julie Chernov Hwang has been selected as a 2024-25 Harry Frank Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar. Chernov Hwang will use the fellowship to build a database for conducting research on how ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiyah construct terror cells.