Our lives are affected by politics every day, and political events are happening all around us. Political Science is the study of politics and power in its many forms, including protest movements and revolutions, law-making and criminal justice, war and international conflicts, human rights violations and efforts to stop them, campaigns and elections in the U.S. and around the world, and competing political ideas and ideologies.
Our courses provide the tools to analyze and understand all of these things and more, and they also help students develop skills in research, analysis, writing, and speaking that are necessary for success in a variety of professions. Our graduates work in nonprofit organizations, international affairs, law, business, education, advocacy groups, and in local, state, and national government.
The GVSU Political Science Department offers Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science. We also host an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations.
January 25, 2025 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM
The MLK Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity represents a nationwide initiative where campuses across America join hands to serve and stand in solidarity with their communities, honoring the legacy...
January 25, 2025 8:00 AM
The MLK Jr. Day of Service and Solidarity is part of a national day of service where campuses across America gather to serve and stand in solidarity with their communities in honor of Dr. Martin Luther...
January 25, 2025 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
At this event, we take time to honor the accomplishments and strengths of all Latinas. We celebrate our history, cultures, and diversity with pride and recognize women who have impacted...
April 9, 2025 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Student Scholars Day (SSD) is held once each year to celebrate the scholarship and creative work performed by GVSU students. The day showcases faculty-mentored student work, shared through many venues,...
Victor Cardenas' life has been characterized by service to the public and Grand Valley. Cardenas graduated from GVSU in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in political science. He earned a master's degree in public affairs from Indiana University and executive
Sep 30, 2024
Professor Zinman's new book, America's First Wartime Election, is set to release this November. This will be his second book published with the University Press of Kansas.
Sep 25, 2024
PLS Alum Charlotte Doran is one of the GVSU Political Science and International Relations alumni starting law school this fall. Charlotte is attending the University of Michigan Law School.
Sep 18, 2024
Senior Project Manager at Parker Philips, Inc.
Senior Legal Counsel at Equinix
Amanda Fortino, Director of Leadership Giving at Farm Sanctuary
Greg Robinson, Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science at Binghamton University (SUNY) in New York
Joshua Lunger, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.
City Planner/Zoning Administrator for the City of Norton Shores, Michigan
