Political Science, B.A.

A degree in Political Science helps students think and act more effectively in our complex world, serving as a gateway to careers in policymaking, lobbying, campaign management, law, consulting, nonprofit management, risk analysis, the public sector, and more. The field analyzes politics and government in all their intricacies, considering broad questions of justice, war, peace, policymaking, culture, and economics. Across five distinct areas of study ranging from American politics to international relations—and through a broad range of internships and research opportunities—the program prepares students to develop and apply innovative approaches to local, national, and global challenges. Amid the program’s wide range of interests and approaches lies a common concern with all things “political,” including current issues, institutions, behavior, power, ethics, and public goods. This common interest in the public aspects of human society allows students to better consider the uses of power and persuasion, the ideas that shape social and political movements, and the nature of core governing institutions.

The undergraduate political science curriculum at the University of Nevada, Reno is divided into five subfields:

American Politics: The American politics subfield focuses on the political behavior of the public U.S. political institutions, and how they interact. Topics include public opinion, voting, campaigns and elections, political psychology, political identity, Congress, the presidency and bureaucracy, the courts, the media, state and local governments, and interest groups.

Comparative Politics. This subfield seeks to understand and explain socio-political, economic and historical outcomes through comparisons of socio-political, economic and cultural entities and forces between and within countries. Comparativists study political institutions, political organizations, political behavior across state and sub-state venues with a goal of understanding the how and why of politics in a variety of contexts.  

International Relations. The International Relations subfield covers interactions, cooperation, and conflict among states and between states and non-state actors. Topics of study include theories of international relations, conflict, foreign policy, national and international security, international law and organizations, global environmental policy, human rights, human security, and international political economy.

Political Theory. The Political Theory area includes political philosophy and its history, contemporary political ideologies, democratic theory, and political ethics.

Public Administration and Policy. This area includes topics such as foundations of public service, public human resource management, organizational theory and behavior, public budgeting, public policy process, policy analysis, policy implementation, and a variety of substantive topics such as environmental policy, and energy politics and policy.