Studying politics helps you answer the big and small questions about how people come together, govern themselves, work towards the common good through 法律s, policies and social movements—and why such efforts succeed or fail.
Occidental’s politics department will help you understand electoral outcomes, how systems of government differ around the world, and how social movements and identity influence political decisions. Questions of democracy, 社会正义, rights and liberties cut across all of our courses, training you to identify, 分析, and solve problems. This approach fosters a deep understanding of 法律, 政策, and democratic citizenship that prepares students to become well-informed and engaged leaders in our increasingly complex, interdependent world.
A core strength of Oxy’s politics major is the curriculum’s combination of rigorous in-classroom work and 以社区为基础的, experiential learning opportunities. 政治 majors regularly accept internships in government agencies, public interest organizations, 媒体公司, 业务es and 法律 offices. The department supports programs in 洛杉矶, New York, Washington, D.C., and internationally. 其标志性 Campaign Semester program allows students to earn a full semester of credit while working full-time on a political campaign. The politics department also provides financial support to majors conducting research with faculty or holding internships—during the academic year and over the summer—through the competitive Anderson, Reath, McKelvey and Caldwell fellowships and awards.
As a politics major, you will develop broad and transferable skills that will help you work with others to arrive at just solutions to our knotty political challenges. Graduates find themselves well-positioned for a future in politics, 法律, 教育, 业务, nonprofit and public service, 激进主义, international affairs, 和媒体. If you're interested in majoring in politics, please see 我们的工作表.
