Political Studies Field Group

At Pitzer College, Field Groups (similar to a discipline or department) organize major requirements and courses.

Political Studies examines political values, interests, institutions, power, and the processes of governing. Courses explore these questions using a variety of methodological approaches.

Political Studies consists of four sub-fields: 

1. Political Philosophy examines the history of political concepts such as authority, law, freedom, rights, equality, justice, and the state.
2. Comparative Politics develops criteria for comparing the domestic politics and policies of countries throughout the world, including the U.S.A.
3. Global Politics examines relationships between and among nation-states,  as well as the emergence of transnational forces that increasingly give shape to a global political system. 
4. U.S. Politics examines politics and public policy in the U.S.A., including Latino, African American and Asian American politics.

AP Credit: AP courses in the field of politics and government with a score of 5 may be counted toward graduation, but not toward fulfilling the requirements of the major.