Ten Reasons to Study Politics

Politics shapes nearly every aspect of our lives. It is present in the news we consume, the social media we scroll through, the elections we participate in, the global events we witness, the music we listen to, the sports teams we support, and the literature we read. Without a proper framework for understanding this information, its sheer volume can appear confusing, overwhelming, and chaotic. Politics provides that framework. It gives us the concepts, theories, and categories to make sense of the world around us. It explains why governments exist, what makes power legitimate, why the World Cup is political, and how concepts like freedom, justice, and equality shape the policies that affect our daily lives. The most basic reason to study Politics, then, is that it provides us with systematic, reliable knowledge about the ideas, values, and institutions that organize collective life.

By studying Politics, you gain valuable insights into both local and global affairs, and the crucial connections between them. You develop the skills to understand the rest of the world, the U.S.’s role in that world, and the ways in which U.S. policies affect other regions of the globe. This is especially important for students who wish to be global citizens in the 21st century. Our department offers internationally focused courses that give you the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics and places. In addition, we offer International Collaborative courses, an International Politics minor, and a Concentration in International Studies for Politics majors.

Many of our students take advantage of the numerous study-abroad options offered by Ithaca College. Since we strongly believe that studying abroad can be an enriching, if not life-changing experience, we work with students to integrate courses taken abroad into their program of study. Politics students can nearly always use courses taken abroad for fulfillment of major requirements. In recent years, our Politics majors have pursued enriching study abroad opportunities in countries like Japan, Italy, Spain, Hungary, New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina.

We understand that classroom learning becomes even more meaningful when combined with practical experience. To this end, we help facilitate students’ placement in an array of internships at the local, state, national, and international levels. Internships earn credit towards the major. Many Politics students enroll in governmental and NGO/advocacy internships in Washington DC; Albany, NY; and New York City. Local internships include: the Office of New York Senator Lea Webb, Lama Law Firm, and the Community Dispute Resolution Center. Many students in London have interned in the House of Commons; others who study abroad in Europe have interned at the European Parliament.

The Politics Department offers numerous opportunities to be involved with activities outside of the classroom setting. Members of the department serve as faculty advisers for student organizations such as Amnesty International, Students for Reproductive Rights, Students for a Just Peace, IC Students for Fair Trade, and the African Students Association, Peace Action, and the Committee on Decolonial Affairs. Participation in the award-winning Model U.N. Program has been a popular option among students for many years, and we also have a Model EU Program. Members of the Department actively participate in the annual Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival.

The Politics Department takes an interdisciplinary, transnational, and cross-cultural approach to the study of politics and power in all their manifestations. Politics is closely related to disciplines such as economics, history, law, philosophy, journalism, English, and sociology among others. Our interdisciplinary approach equips you with a broad knowledge base that allows you to approach and understand local and global issues from multiple perspectives.

Our department offers you “the best of both worlds” – the opportunity to work with professors who are active researchers as well as attentive and engaged teachers. Our faculty members regularly mentor students through Ithaca College’s Summer Scholars program – a unique experience that gives students the opportunity to conduct paid, faculty-guided summer research on an independent project that reflects a student’s own academic passions. In recent years, members of the department have also collaborated with students on scholarly publications, including co-authoring research articles and supporting students who presented their work at academic conferences.

Perhaps one of the most important reasons to study Politics is its impact on how we understand and engage with the world around us. A healthy democracy depends on people who can think critically about power, question assumptions, evaluate competing claims, and participate meaningfully in public life. We believe that the study of Politics helps you develop exactly these capacities.

Through innovative assignments, research projects, presentations, and engaging in-class discussions, our courses provide you with a set of skills that are essential for all aspects of life: reading carefully, writing thoughtfully, expressing yourself clearly, and thinking critically and honestly about the most consequential questions a society can face.

The study of Politics equips you with the skills to pursue a wide range of careers, including but not limited to careers in law, public service (governmental and non-governmental), diplomacy, international organizations, public policy, journalism, business, education, advocacy, and non-profit leadership.