Political Science

MajorMinor3YRBachelor of Arts

Find the spark to make a difference.

Butler’s Political Science program—grounded in a firm commitment to social justice, democracy, and human rights—will teach you how to promote the collective good at the local, national, and global level through the study and practice of politics. You’ll be encouraged to deliberately challenge systems, institutions, and policies across the world, and to become involved in the community, in governance, and in research.

The innovative curriculum crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries, offers innovative course offerings, and provides opportunities to work closely with professors in teaching or research. Alumni have pursued careers in electoral politics, law, government, journalism, business, and the nonprofit sector, and have earned advanced degrees in several fields.

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Program Information

Curriculum

The Political Science program offers an innovative curriculum that crosses traditional disciplinary boundaries to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue positive social change. Sample courses in this program include:

PO 141 – Introduction to International Politics
PO 230 – Activism
PO 310 – The Foundations of Chinese Politics
PO 322 – International Conflict and Peace Building
PO 350 – African Politics
PO 354 – Environmental Justice

See all Political Science major curriculum information

See all Political Science minor curriculum information

Three-Year Program

The Political Science major can be completed in a total of three years. More information can be found here.

The Butler Advantage

With a major in Political Science, the student will:

Recognize their role as responsible and effective members of communities to promote positive social change.

Develop knowledge of political theories, identities, behavior, movements, structures, and institutions in local, national, and global settings.

Develop the ability to make connections between theory and practice, between global and local events, and across academic disciplines.

Meet Your Faculty

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Robin Turner

Associate Professor, Political Science
Political Science – LAS

Robin L. Turner is an Associate Professor of Political Science, Chair of the Department of Political Science, and Director of the Peace and Conflict Studies Program at Butler University in the USA and an honorary research associate of the Society, Work,…
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Siobhan McEvoy-Levy

Professor – Political Science
Political Science – LAS

Siobhán McEvoy-Levy is Professor of Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies and Director of The Desmond Tutu Peace Lab at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. Her current research focuses on ‘everyday’ sites of international…
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Su-Mei Ooi

Associate Professor – Political Science
Political Science – LAS

Director of Academic Affairs for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Faculty Director of Butler in Asia Program, Center for Global Education Su-Mei Ooi joined the Department of Political Science and Peace & Conflict Studies program in 2010,…
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