We’ve all heard about it, but what does it actually even mean?

At Columbia, we all know somebody studying political science, or we are that somebody. Whether it’s scrolling through Twitter, chatting with friends in a dorm room, or walking through the streets of New York, politics is everywhere, especially nowadays. And while we all know what politics means, and we all know what science is, what does it mean when you put those words together? At its heart, political science is the study of relationships, between governments and individuals, within groups, and between nations. No matter the scale, politics is woven into the fabric of society. It’s what turns us from random individuals into a collective whole. And like everything worth understanding, it’s messy, layered, and, frankly, a little dramatic. If sociology is the study of society, political science is its institutionalized, rule-bound cousin. 

So, if you’ve ever found yourself mulling over government relations, dissecting human nature, or getting way too passionate about those CC readings, this might just be your intellectual sweet spot. Or if you’re the type who stays glued to the news, gets into heated discussions about government decisions, or wants to have a greater say in how the system is run, then political science might be calling your name. 

Major Requirements: ​​There are three major tracks in the Political Science major, made up of the following:

  1. Major in Political Science
  2. Economics – Political Science Track
  3. Political Science – Statistics Track
  1. Political Science: Requirements for Columbia’s Political Science major consists of a minimum of nine courses.

First and foremost, you must choose a Primary Subfield and a Secondary Subfield to study, as these will help determine the classes you take.

The subfields are:

  • American Politics (AP)
  • Comparative Politics (CP)
  • International Relations (IR)
  • Political Theory (PT)

​​Introductory Courses:

You are required to take two of the following (which must align with your primary and secondary subfield, otherwise they count as electives):

  • Intro to American Politics  (POLS UN1201)
  • Intro to Comparative Politics(POLS UN1501)
  • Intro to International Politics (POLS UN1601)
  • Political Theory I (POLS UN1101)

The Primary Subfield requires a minimum of three classes, while the Secondary Subfield requires two.

Seminars: The seminar component requires two 4-point 3000-level seminars, at least one of which is in the student’s Primary Subfield.

Research Methods: This requires a minimum of one course in research methods, which must be completed by the end of your junior year

  1. Economics- Political Science Track

This requires a total of 59 points distributed across economics, political science, mathematics, statistical methods, and seminars 

Political Science: 

For the political science part, you still have to pick primary and secondary subfields, however you only have to take the intro courses and two electives in your Primary Subfield, and one in your Secondary Subfield.

Then it’s the Economics Core, consisting of the following:

Principles of Economics (ECON UN1105)
Intermediate Microeconomics (ECON 3211)

Intermediate Macroeconomics (ECON 3213)

Intro to Econometrics (ECON UN3412) OR Principles Of Quant Pol Research 2 (POLS GU4712)

Political Economy (ECON GU4370)

Math and Statistics Core:

Calc I (MATH 1101), Calc III (MATH 1201), and Calc Based Intro to Statistics (STAT1201).

Econ Electives:
Two electives at the 3000 level or higher in the Department of Economics.

Seminars:
Two seminars, there is one for each subfield category of the political science portion and one for Political Economics.

  1. Political Science – Statistics Track

Political Science:

For the Political Science part, you must still choose a Primary Subfield and take the intro course plus a minimum of three courses, and one 4-point 3000 level seminar in this subfield.

Research Methods:
You must take the following courses:

  1. Principles Of Quant Pol Research 1 (POLS GU4710)  OR Research Design: Data Analysis (POLS UN3704)
  2. Principles Of Quant Pol Research 2 (POLS GU4712)

Statistics: 

There are two sequences: sequence A is meant to prepare for those looking into grad school for statistics, and B is for those looking for interdisciplinary application.

Sequence A: Calc I, II, Linear Algebra (MATH UN2010), Calc-based Intro to Statistics, Probability Theory (STAT GU4203), Statistical Inference (STAT GU4204), Linear Regression Models (STAT Gu4205), and Stat Comp & Intro Data Science (STAT GU4206).

Sequence B: Intro to Stats (STAT UN1101), Applied Statistical Computing (STAT UN2102), Applied Linear Regression Analysis (STAT UN2103), Applied Categorical Data Analysis (STAT UN2104), Applied Statistical Cal Methods (STAT UN3105), and Applied Machine Learning (STAT UN3106).

And lastly, one statistics Elective.

Minor Requirements:
A minor requires a minimum of 5 courses in political science: two of the intro courses and a minimum of 3 elective courses in any subfield.

Class Recommendations:

Judicial Politics (POLS UN3210): If the concept of the judicial branch intrigues you in the slightest or if you’re leaning toward American Politics as a subfield, this class is definitely worth considering. Professor Lax is a passionate and engaging lecturer, often tying current events into the lessons in meaningful ways. The coursework is reasonable, with a midterm, final, and research project that are broken down into manageable steps. Even if the subject is not thrilling at first to you, the class offers a deep dive into a crucial aspect of politics and is surprisingly engaging. As someone who is not a morning person, it was one of the easiest and most enjoyable 10:10 classes I’ve taken.

Latin American Politics (POLS UN4461): I’ve only heard great things about this class. If you’re interested in comparative politics and want to explore the political landscape of Latin America, this class is a must. It’s one of the most popular classes in the Comparative Politics subfield, and for good reason. The professor is a captivating lecturer, and the complexity of the topics covered will leave you wanting to learn more. Whether it’s discussing the historical context of political movements or analyzing current affairs, this class provides valuable insights into how other governments operate and offers a unique perspective on global politics.

Advice/tips:

Managing Readings: Political Science courses can sometimes have heavy reading loads, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed, but breaking down your readings into manageable chunks throughout the week can help. Instead of cramming it all in one sitting, spread it across the week, reading a little every day. This will help prevent burnout and allow time for deeper comprehension of the material. Stay organized with a reading schedule and prioritize what you think will be most relevant for the lectures or assignments.

Staying Interested in Topics: The study of politics can sometimes get repetitive or feel too theoretical. To maintain interest, try diversifying your coursework. Take a mix of subfields each semester (e.g., one class on political theory and one on international relations) so you keep things fresh. You can also try to link what you’re learning in class to current events—this helps bring theoretical concepts to life and adds real-world relevance to your studies.

Go to Office Hours: If you’re struggling with concepts or need help organizing your thoughts, going to office hours can be a game-changer. Professors and TAs are more than willing to help clarify difficult material, brainstorm ideas for essays, and give feedback. They can also provide advice on career paths or further academic opportunities. Not only does this help you understand course material better, but it can also improve your relationship with faculty members.

Use the Writing Center for Your Essays: Political Science essays will require you to develop a strong argument, observation, or case and support it with substantial evidence. The Writing Center at Columbia is a fantastic resource that can help refine your writing. Whether you’re tackling a research paper or a short analytical essay, meeting with a tutor can improve your writing structure, clarity, and overall quality.

Tips: Intro to American Politics can have unexpectedly more work than anticipated for an introductory class, depending on the professor. So, make sure to do your research on CULPA, but that goes for any course if possible.

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