The programs of the political science department are designed to help students attain a deeper understanding of politics in its various dimensions. The department encourages students to become sophisticated theoretically and to study politics in global and comparative perspectives. Students can focus on American politics, law and politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory, but we hope all students will acquire fluency in several of these areas.

The undergraduate program offers a broad range of courses about politics and government at local, state, national, and international levels. In addition to taking courses, students can do independent research under the guidance of individual faculty members.

A wide variety of courses in comparative and international politics are given at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. Exchange programs with universities in Europe and China are in place or under development. Studying in Baltimore provides an opportunity to understand today’s political and public policy challenges, and the university’s proximity to Washington, D.C., offers a wide variety of internship possibilities for interested students.