Political science
Central’s political science program is designed to prepare you for a wide variety of careers in government, politics, law, business, mass media and education. Course work emphasizes development of basic communication skills, including reading, writing, speaking, critical thinking and information literacy. Our students learn about government structures and processes and how individuals and groups interact with government at the local, state and national levels, in other countries and with international organizations.
Our program emphasizes both course work and practical experience. Political science students learn how to do original research and undertake projects that allow them to apply their knowledge to questions and concerns of personal interest, through experiential and service-learning projects, career-focused internships in Washington, D.C., Des Moines and as part of their study abroad experiences.
Faculty
Successful Careers
- Foreign Service officer, U.S. State Department, Washington, D.C.
- Arabic linguist, U.S. Army, Mosul, Iraq
- Assistant attorney general, State of Missouri
- International corporate attorney, Beijing, China
- Political operative and campaign strategist, Des Moines, Iowa
- U.N. high commissioner for refugees, Gaborone, Botswana
- Manager, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
- Attorney-at-law, New York, N.Y.
- Professor of political science, Allegheny College, Pa.
- Cardiac surgeon, Kansas City, Mo.
- Senior planner and associate, Group 70, Inc. Honolulu, Hawaii.
- Lifestyles editor, Chicago Sun-Times, Ill.
Internships
We will work one-on-one with you to help you select and apply for an internship that will complement your courses and enhance your career prospects. You can choose from opportunities in Des Moines, Chicago, Washington, D.C., or as part of your study abroad experience at one of our program sites including London, Paris, Vienna, Granada and Merida. Past internships have included:
- White House intern, Washington, D.C.
- Parliamentary intern, London, England
- United Nations intern, Vienna, Austria
- Intern, governor’s office, Des Moines, Iowa
- Intern, Sen. Tom Harkin, Washington, D.C.
- Chicago Mercantile Exchange, Chicago, Ill.
- Intern, U.S. Embassy, Santiago, Chile
Graduate Placement
Over 98% of graduates are placed in jobs, attending graduate school, or involved in volunteer service within one year of graduation.
Learn more about internships at Central.
Courses
Central offers political science courses in the major sub-fields of the discipline, including: American government and politics, public policy, international politics, comparative politics, political theory and research methods. For course descriptions, please visit the political science Web site.
- Introduction to American politics
- Introduction to International politics
- Political behavior
- The courts
- Congress
- The Presidency
- African politics since 1935
- Contemporary Europe
- Modern Latin America
- Africa, Asia and Latin America in world affairs
- The Middle East in world affairs
- American Environmental history and policy
- The U.S. in world affairs
- International political economy
- Global sustainability
- Methods of political research
- American political thought
- Pre-Law seminar
- Political violence and terrorism
- International law and organizations
- Politics of state and local government
- Seminar in public policy
- Research seminar
Sample Schedule
Freshman Year
- POLS 110 Introduction to American Politics
- POLS 140 Introduction to International Politics
- Core courses and electives
Sophomore Year
- MATH 105 Introduction to Statistics
- POLS 250 Methods of Political Research
- Core courses and electives
Junior Year
- Study abroad and/or career-related internships
- Major electives
Senior Year
- POLS 489 Research Seminar
- Major electives
- Study abroad and/or career-related internships
Get more details from the course catalog! (Note: this is a PDF file)
Facilities
Central College is one of the most beautiful college campuses you'll find. A perfect mix of old and new, our buildings reflect our history and our future. Our state-of-the-art facilities include:
- Vermeer Science Center — $20-million renovation and addition completed fall 2003 earned Iowa’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating, a silver medal, from the U.S. Green Building Council.
- New apartment-style residence hall opened fall 2003, with new wing completed in 2005, earned Central’s second LEED rating, a gold medal.
- New education and psychology building top open fall 2009.
- Weller Center for Business and International Studies.
- Central Market, Iowa’s most original dining hall with
unique European market place design.
- Geisler Library with 230,000 volumes and worldwide
electronic access.
- Café@Geisler offers espresso, coffee, snacks and
wireless Internet.
Department Web site
Central’s political science department maintains its own Web site with even more information about majoring in political science.
Organizations
Political science students are active participants in a wide variety of campus activities and organizations, including:
- Student Senate
- Pi Sigma Alpha (national honor society of political science)
- College Republicans
- Young Democrats
- KCUI (student radio station)
- The Ray (college newspaper)
Study Abroad
A key to the outstanding career successes that our students have enjoyed is the high degree that they take advantage of our excellent study abroad opportunities. Many of our graduates have had life-changing, career-shaping internship experiences while studying on one or more of our eight international programs. Learn more about Central’s study abroad programs.
