We often hear that politics and government are light-years removed from the lives and concerns of real people. Many believe politics is a dirty business and best left for politicians working in places like the county courthouse, the state capital, the White House, and the United Nations. We, here in the Department of Political Science, couldn’t disagree more.

One thing with which we do agree is the the old adage “Knowledge is Power.” In Political Science courses, we explore what politicians and political scientists mean when they use abstract words such as power (What is it? Who has it? How does one get it?); government (How is it set up? How does it work?); distribution of scarce resources (Who decides who gets what? How can I have a voice on who gets what?); and political culture (Why doesn’t every country seem to want a democracy like ours? How do the governments of other countries work?). In addition to answering questions such as these, Political Science courses also work to hone and sharpen students’ reasoning, analytical, and communication skills.

Our majors leave Marshall with a degree that has prepared them to face their next challenge. We’re very proud that our majors go on to law schools like the University of Kentucky, WVU, and Ohio State and graduate schools like George Washington, the University of North Carolina, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Tennessee, and Syracuse University. They get jobs with the executive and legislative branches in Charleston and Washington, D.C., work for political parties and non-profit agencies, as well as go directly into the business world. Regardless of career path, we strive to teach our majors the content knowledge, as well as the critical thinking and writing skills, that are necessary in today’s highly competitive job market.

Imagine what a degree in Political Science could do for you.