Why major in....
Government?
The Government major at Berry College offers students a comprehensive, theoretically informed, and historically sensitive set of courses. Though government majors may take any of the courses offered in the department, it is common for our students to focus their studies on American politics and political philosophy. Those who wish to pursue an emphasis in international studies or comparative politics may instead consider majoring in International Studies. The American General Education offering is “American National Politics,” taught by Peter Lawler, Michael Bailey, and Eric Sands. We believe that only by understanding the great battle of conflicting principles as the political actors have themselves understood them can students come to recognize the great force that ideas, as well as interests, have had in shaping American political development.
This major’s upper-division courses cover a wide range of areas including political philosophy, international studies, and comparative politics, but students in this major often focus on American political institutions and processes as well as political philosophy. Government students can choose among courses focusing on the three political branches, constitutional law, public administration and public policy, the American founding, American political development, and political parties and interest groups. Among the political philosophy choices offered include ancient, modern, and contemporary.
Students majoring in government have successfully pursued a wide variety of careers both in the public and private sectors, and in recent years our graduates have gone on to law school, graduate school, theology school, national government, state government, the media, and industry.