Political Science

C. Bradley Scharf, PhD, Chair

Objectives

At Seattle University, the study of Political Science features seven prominent themes:

POWER & LAW In every nation and locality, in the US and abroad, government is about the exercise of power. The arrangement of governing bodies, the access of political parties and interest groups, and the occasional participation of citizens shape the use of power and law for public and private purposes.

SOCIAL JUSTICE Power and law affect the daily lives of people: their well-being, personal dignity, and sense of belonging to communities. Questions of opportunity, equality, and fairness permeate the Political Science curriculum.

SOCIAL & ECONOMIC POLICY Governments collect taxes, spend money, regulate behavior, and provide security for the benefit of all or for the benefit of the few. Scrutiny of policies—for example, in economic growth, welfare, social services, education, health care, land use, environment, and civil rights—reveals who really benefits. 

RACE, GENDER, AND CLASS The conditions of ethnic minorities, the roles of women, and the persistence of privilege and poverty receive special attention in many of our courses. 

INTERNATIONAL CONFLICT & COOPERATION Wars and other forms of coercion are extremely costly and destructive, yet they occur with disturbing frequency. International law and organizations offer alternative means of conducting foreign relations.

GLOBALIZATION Global economic interdependence undermines efforts of governments to assure their citizens material security and the means to shape their own destinies.

INTERNSHIPS & CAREERS We offer internships in the nation’s capital, in Olympia, in King County, and in Seattle. Our students later pursue careers in elected government, law, public administration, interest organizations, secondary and higher education, policy analysis institutes, and domestic and international social and non-profit organizations.