Undergraduate

Political Science

Enhance critical thinking skills essential for careers ranging from business to law as you examine pressing issues like partisanship, systemic inequality, and global democratic decline.

Degree

Minor

Location

Durham, NH

Courses

Credit

20 hrs.

Full-time

- -

Part-time

- -

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Political Science & international Affairs

The Political Science minor at UNH offers valuable analytical and critical thinking skills that enhance any major by developing your understanding of power, policy and social dynamics. These skills are essential in today’s increasingly competitive professional landscape.

Through engaging coursework and unique experiential opportunities — including access to first-in-the-nation presidential primary events and internships in Concord or Washington, D.C. — you'll develop sophisticated research and communication skills that complement your primary field of study. Whether you're majoring in business, engineering, healthcare or the humanities, this minor equips you with the political awareness and analytical capabilities increasingly valued by employers across all sectors.

Department of Political Science & International Affairs

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What is political science?

Political science gives you the conceptual tools to understand pressing questions in today’s world. Why is American politics so partisan? How do we grapple with systemic inequality and racism? Why do some countries democratize and others stay locked in authoritarianism? In the political science minor program at UNH, you will study power, institutions and policy making at the local, national and global levels. From local grassroots movements to interstate wars, political action and institutions affect our societies and our everyday lives. As a minor, you will study the institutions, practices and ideas that shape international, comparative and American politics.

Why study political science at UNH?

Our faculty research and teach across a wide range of topics in international and comparative politics, American politics, political theory and public administration. New Hampshire’s status as the first-in-the-nation presidential primary state makes UNH an ideal place to study political science, whether at the local or national level. In addition, you will have opportunities to participate in internships through the Concord Internship in New Hampshire’s capital or the Washington Center Internship in Washington, D.C. You can work at the UNH Survey Center and join competitive student activities such as Model UN and UNH Mock Trial.

Potential careers

Business executive
Civil Servant
Counterintelligence officer
Diplomat
Human rights advocate
Journalist
Law
Nonprofit organization director
Political strategist
Politician
Public relations specialist
Think tank researcher

Curriculum & Requirements

Program Description

The study of government and politics, to which the courses and seminars of the Department of Political Science are devoted, includes the development of knowledge of political behavior by individuals and groups as well as knowledge about governments: their nature and functions; their problems and behaviors; and their interactions across all levels of governance.

Much of the learning offered by the Department of Political Science can also be regarded as essential for good citizenship, since political knowledge helps to explain the formal and informal institutions by which we are governed and the forces which lead to policy decisions, and also seeks to clarify the issues and principles that encourage people toward political involvement. In addition, such learning is especially valuable to students planning to enter local or national government or other public service, including the Foreign Service, and it will be of great help to those who intend to study law and enter the legal profession.

Students that would like to transfer credits from abroad or other universities should meet with our political science advisor, Heather Austin, to determine eligibility toward the minor.

Requirements for the Program

Academic policies related to Minors.

The Political Science minor consists of completing five courses (20 credits).
These courses may be taken in any combination of the five subfields and levels (400-700) offered. The fields to choose from are: American politics, political thought, comparative politics, international politics and methods.
A minimum grade of C- or better is required in coursework towards the minor.

Required Courses

Course List
Code	Title	Credits
Five elective POLT courses, with no more than two at the 400 level		20
Total Credits		20

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