Starting next academic year, all incoming political science majors and current first-year students at Notre Dame will be required to take a new course titled “Why Political Science?”, designed to help them explore the major’s academic foundations and real-world applications.
Political science professor Angela McCarthy designed the required course, titled “Why Political Science?”, to expose students to the discipline’s diverse subfields while offering space for academic and career discernment.
“We want to use this first course, as an anchor, or as a semester-long advising session with me,” McCarthy said. “It gives students a chance to map out what they want to do academically and how we can translate those academic goals into career goals.”
The course introduces students to the department’s four major subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. Each concentration is covered over a two-week period and supplemented by guest speakers and career-focused discussions.
“We start the course by discussing the difference between politics and political science,” McCarthy said. “We spend a week fleshing out what that means and what we’re doing in this department. Political science at Notre Dame can look a little different than at other universities.”
The idea for the course arose after McCarthy observed that many students were unsure how to apply their political science degree professionally.
“I started meeting with students and asking, ‘What do you want to do with your political science degree?’ And there was some confusion, a little uncertainty about what political science can actually do for you professionally,” she said.
McCarthy noted the department has been working collaboratively with faculty and students to define a clearer mission and structure for the major. That process, she said, helped lay the groundwork for the new course.
“I had conversations with my colleagues, and it seemed like a viable thing, something good that we could do to get the word out,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy plans to utilize the new “Why Political Science?” course as a means of both dialogue and informative opportunities for its students.
“I ask guest speakers to come in and talk to the class about what that field is and then we do some other stuff throughout the semester to break it up a little bit. We talk about internship opportunities and study abroad opportunities,” McCarthy said. “How you can get involved in the Political Science Society, Pi Sigma Alpha programs and other programs that are related or adjacent to political science.”
McCarthy also highlighted Notre Dame’s emphasis on research methods as a point of distinction from peer institutions.
“We have a methods course requirement, some peer institutions do, some don’t,” she said. “It’s meant to prepare students for their own research, senior theses and data analysis in policy and political sectors.”
McCarthy said she hopes the course offers students a stronger sense of direction and community within the major.
“It’s about helping students connect the dots between their studies and the world they want to work in,” she said. “This course is just the beginning.”
