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Simpson College serves the diverse communities of the Midwest and the nation by providing academic and co-curricular programs designed to educate students of all ages and backgrounds.
Learn about our social scene through current students, grab lunch or coffee with a professor or a coach and pencil out financial aid with our experts.
High-quality, active learning environments, dynamic career preparation designed to get you ahead in the job market and a vibrant campus culture makes Simpson the best choice for a degree.
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College is about getting involved. At SC you can do it all ... play sports, join intramurals, theatre, music, volunteer, travel ... you name it!
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Think back to your favorite professor, the lifelong friends you made and your travel and volunteer experiences. Give those same opportunities to the next generation of Simpson alums.
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Department of Political Science
Become an engaged citizen who fully understands and actively participates in public affairs
As a political science major or minor, you'll gain a deep understanding of the political institutions and public policies of the United States and other nations. From your fundamental course in American government to your senior seminar that explores critical issues like human rights, you'll gain the experience you need to tackle issues of social justice and many other issues.
What will I learn?
You'll learn everything from how the United Stations works to the politics of Russia, China, and the Middle East to the big challenges facing the global community today.
Mass Media and Politics
Understanding the relationship between media and politics is more important than ever. In this course, you'll learn about the historical impact of media in American politics, as well as current-day topics like media bias, the rise of alternative media, and how media impacts public policy.
Take a deep dive into global issues like poverty, trade, health, the environment and human rights, with a focus on developing nations. You will learn how governments, global institutions, non-profits and citizens are engaging these problems, as well as key barriers to success.
Politics of a Changing World
This course will help you develop an understanding for the rapidly changing dynamics of international politics. The focus will be on those issues and actors that transcend the old style of international interaction, including multinational corporations, international governmental organizations, human rights, collective security, the environment, terrorism, and economic interdependence.
4-Year Plan for Success
What courses would I take in this major? What would my four-year plan include? What opportunities outside of the classroom would benefit me?
View the 4-Year Plan
What can I do with my degree?
The options are wide and vast. You can hit the campaign trail. Spearhead a nonprofit. Teach the next generation of engaged citizens. There are so many directions a major or minor in political science can take you. You can find some of our recent graduates working in the Iowa Governor's office, E3 Federal in Washington, D.C., AmeriCorps, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation and Coopera.
Graduate and law schools are eager to accept Simpson graduates. Some of the places political science majors have continued their education include  American University, Bush School of Government at Texas A&M, George Washington University, University of Denver, Case Western Reserve University School of Law, University of London and Drake University
Interested in knowing about more opportunities available to you?
Take a look at all the great things happening in the Department of Political Science that will help shape your time at Simpson.
Political Science Clubs & Organizations
This is what success looks like
Our students and alumni share how Simpson helped them define achievement on their own terms
It is hard to find a college campus as supportive and encouraging as Simpson. A liberal arts education helped me challenge myself in critical thought, professional development, and personal growth.
“Simpson enabled me to not only gain valuable knowledge in the classroom; it helped me apply that knowledge in the ‘real world.’ These types of skills and experiences, from working on sustainability to analyzing public policy, have been invaluable throughout my professional career in Washington, D.C.”
Simpson's focus on its liberal arts curriculum helped me discover what topics peaked my interest. In my courses, I had the advantage of smaller class sizes, which encouraged discussion -- creating a solid, well-rounded education.