BA in Liberal Arts and Sciences in Political Science - Citizen Politics in Urbana United States | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

The University of Illinois organizes its political science curriculum into five distinct disciplines: American Politics, Public Policy, Comparative Politics, Political Theory (also called Political Philosophy), and International Relations. These specialized branches each examine different aspects of political systems and governance. As students progress through higher-level courses, they develop the ability to connect concepts and theories across these different subfields.The Political Science Department provides both major and minor programs, including a general political science major/minor and a civic leadership-focused major with a corresponding minor in political and civic leadership. Learners will gain skills in applying scientific methodologies to political analysis and interpreting empirical data.Students will acquire essential knowledge about key facts, classifications, and frameworks within their selected political science specialization. They'll develop competency in understanding core theoretical approaches and learn methods for assessing these theories. The program teaches students to differentiate political science from other social sciences while understanding its various branches.The curriculum also explores mass political behavior, investigating how individuals develop political perspectives and identities, the processes behind political decision-making, and the different forms of political participation citizens engage in.