Politics & International Affairs, B.A.

The politics and international affairs major integrates courses in political science, economics, foreign language and history for students interested in international affairs and/or who are considering careers in diplomacy or related areas of foreign service (at home or abroad).

Majors investigate the causes of international conflict and cooperation, learn about American foreign policy and compare and contrast the domestic political systems of countries around the world.

Within our program, you will study in detail a variety of crucial and important issues throughout governments — conflict among and within nations, democratization, economic and political globalization, conflicts within regions, foreign and economic policy making.

The study of political science at LR seeks to contribute to the development of an informed and thoughtful citizenry. You will critically examine issues related to the study of American and world politics.

In courses on American politics, you learn about constitutional law, become familiar with the electoral process and examine the inner workings of national institutions like the Presidency and Congress.

In courses on world politics, you investigate the causes of international conflict and cooperation, learn about American foreign policy and compare and contrast the domestic political systems of countries around the world.

Political Science majors gain the knowledge and skills needed to systematically analyze important past, current and future political issues.

Learning Outside the Classroom

Students have a number of opportunities to gain valuable work and life experiences outside of the classroom environment. The major supports the university’s Model United Nations (Model UN) program, an experiential learning course in which you participate in a mock United Nations Conference. Each year, students research international issues and submit resolutions at the National Model United Nations Conference in New York attended by students from around the world.

You may also participate in the North Carolina Student Legislature each year, where you engage in a mock North Carolina General Assembly. You research public policy issues and submit legislation at statewide meetings attended by student delegations from across the state.

Political science majors may participate in the Lutheran College Washington Semester. Under this program, you participate in a work/study program in Washington, D.C. and complete two seminar courses and an internship. The program emphasizes the ethical dimension of important questions of public affairs.

Finally, political science majors have opportunities for a wide array of local and regional internships as part of studies in government, non-profit and legal settings.

Career Opportunities

Political Science integrates humanistic study with the scientific approach to provide career preparation for a wide range of professional fields. As a traditional liberal arts program, it furnishes the general strengths related to effective communication, independent and analytical thinking and argumentation, and appreciation of history, philosophy and current affairs related to the study of government and political action. It also provides professional preparation directly for careers in politics and government at the local, state, national and international levels.

Accordingly, career opportunities for political science majors span a very wide range of fields. Professional opportunities exist in government at all levels, in electoral (campaigns and elections), political (lobbying, consulting, advocacy), administrative (government agencies, government management, foreign service), and legal settings (law, public interest activities) are available. Additionally, areas that touch upon governmental actions, such as journalism, business/finance and/or non-profit organizations furnish especially good opportunities for careers.