Political Studies Field Group

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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.

 

Political Studies Program

Visit the Political Studies Program page to learn more about major requirements, learning objectives, and student stories. 

Political Studies Program

Political Studies Field Group Advisers

portrait of william barndt
Will Barndt
  • Associate Professor of Political Studies
  • Political Studies Field Group
Professor Geoffrey Herrera
Geoffrey Herrera
  • Fletcher Jones Associate Professor of Political Studies
  • Political Studies Field Group
portrait of adrian pantoja
Adrian Pantoja
  • Professor of Political Studies/Chicano Studies
  • Political Studies Field Group
  • Chicanx-Latinx Studies Field Group
portrait of Lako Tongun
Lako Tongun
  • Associate Professor of Critical Global Studies and Political Studies
  • Critical Global Studies Field Group
  • Political Studies Field Group

Scott Hall 223

Contact Professor

portrait of hanzhang liu
Hanzhang Liu
  • Assistant Professor of Political Studies
  • Political Studies Field Group

Broad Hall 105

Contact Professor

portrait of rachel sickle-vanward
Rachel VanSickle-Ward
  • Professor of Political Studies
  • Political Studies Field Group

Political Studies in the News

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