Political science is the social scientific study of political institutions and political behavior. The study of political institutions includes topics such as the effect of the design of electoral systems on the quality of representation in government, the formal and informal elements of the legislative process and their implications for the making of law, and the impact of domestic political institutions on the incidence of international conflict. Under the rubric of political behavior, political scientists study how and why people choose to participate in politics, the determinants of vote choice, and the nature and origins of public opinion.

Students studying political science at UC Merced will develop a strong substantive understanding of both political institutions and behavior. Students will also learn the theories that help us better understand the political world and the methods by which these theories are tested and refined.

Political Science majors will choose courses from three major subfields of the discipline:

• American politics
• Comparative politics
• International relations

Transfer Students

Transfer information, including preparation for the Political Science major, general education preparation and eligibility requirements is available at the Transfer Admission site.

Additional Information

For more information on the Political Science major, please visit the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts web site.