The College gives you a general knowledge of many things, more than what you thought you would study.
Political Science & International Studies
Major Description
The major in Political Science and International Studies is designed to provide an understanding of political systems in general and of the American government, European affairs, and international relations in particular.
This major provides intellectual and practical preparation for public service, diplomacy, and journalism, and serves as a preparation for law studies and other graduate-level pursuits. Small classes permit students to hone their information literacy, research methods, and communication skills. McDaniel’s Budapest campus exposes students to a host of different cultures and international institutions, while its campus in Maryland provides a platform for work in Washington, D.C
Job and Further Study Opportunities
Students completing the Political Science and International Studies major pursue careers in government and politics, intelligence, international business, international non-profit organizations, law, research and analysis, and media. They advance to postgraduate work in fields like electoral studies, media and politics, public policy, international security, international law, peace studies, political philosophy, governmental institutions, and studies of major geographic regions (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East).
Tobi Kelenna Onuoha
Nigerian Political Science Student
Skills You Get
Political Systems & Philosophy
Diplomacy, Public Service
Media and Politics
International Law
Requirements for the Political Science Major -- International Studies Specialization
All requirements according to the 2024-2025 catalog; for former requirements as well as for courses offered only on the Westminster campus, please see our Westminster campus catalog.
Required:
PSI 1101 - Introduction to Political Science
PSI 2203 - International Law and Organization
PSI 2204 - Approaches to International Relations
PSI 4492 - Senior Seminar
Two courses from Political Inquiry:
PSI 2206 - American Political Thought
PSI 2208 - Inventors of Political Ideas: Intro to Political Theory
PSI 2219 - Research Design and Methods
PSI 2316 - Revolutionary Movements
Four courses from International Politics:
PSI 2205 - The European Union: History, Institutions, and Major Policies
PSI 2209 - Roma/Travellers
PSI 2212 - Terrorism and Counterterrorism
PSI 2213 - Comparative Politics of Europe
PSI 2218 - On the Move
PSI 2228 – Global Public Health
PSI 2265 - Special Topics in Political Science
PSI 3202 – Comparative Constitutional Law
PSI 3306 - National Security in a Changing World
PSI 3307 - U.S. Foreign Policy
PSI 3315 - The Politics of Ethnicity and Nationalism
PSI 3321 – International Criminal Law
PSI 3203 – Global Challenges in Biopolitics
PSI 3333 - Conflict Resolution, Peacemaking, and Peacekeeping in Post-Cold War World
ENV 2122 - Global Enviromental Justice
HIS 2247 - The Nuclear Age
One course from American Politics (4 credits):
PSI 1115 - Promises to Keep: Intro to Minority Politics
PSI 2201 - American Political Institutions
PSI 2206 - American Political Thought
PSI 2207 - American Public Policy
PSI 2216 - United States Campaigns and Elections
PSI 3202 - Comparative Constitutional Law
PSI 3306 - National Security in a Changing World
PSI 3307 - U.S. Foreign Policy
PSI 3308 - American Constitutional Law
PSI 3319 - American Civil Liberties
ENV 2215 - Environmental Policy
Two Credits in Directed Studies from:
PSI 2295-Internships in Political Science
PSI 3395-Internships in Political Science
Independent Studies in Political Science
PSI 2298/3398/4498-Independent Studies in Political Science
Departmental Writing in Political Science
Two courses from the International Politics list
Two courses from the Political Inquiry list
Capstone
PSI 4492 - Senior Seminar