Welcome to IU’s Department of Political Science!

We ask big questions about politics that matter for you, your family, your friends, your community, and our globe. Politics goes way beyond the study of governments; politics is everywhere. We examine what kind of society should we live in and who has the power to make the rules and chart our future.

These questions are particularly timely and important today when our societies around the world seem increasingly divided, and democracy is under challenge. Our world-renown faculty push students to think critically and engage with the real-world debates they confront as global citizens. We don’t teach them what to think, but how to think and act for themselves.

Our students take these analytic skills to a wide range of jobs including marketing, international development, media, think tanks, research, law, campaign consulting, social enterprises, non-profits, government, and more. You can also combine a degree in political science with many other majors and schools at IU.

Our department has terrific alumni who have used the skills and experiences they gained in political science to enjoy success in a diversity of career paths. Our alumni are frequently back on campus, being recognized by the College and university, and are often making connections for our current students to internships and jobs today.  

Come join us for our biweekly Coffee + Tea Hour for talks from guest speakers and roundtable discussions on both academic and non-academic topics!