{"id":3063,"date":"2026-05-08T17:29:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-08T17:29:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/?page_id=3063"},"modified":"2026-11-12T21:27:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T21:27:09","slug":"analyze-and-engage-politics-around-the-globe","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/","title":{"rendered":"Analyze and engage politics around the globe"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"introduction block-container\" >\n    <div class=\"introduction__content\">\n    \t        \t<p class=\"introduction__copy\">Politics shapes every part of our daily life: the rights we hold dear, the headlines we read, and the air we breathe. Some changes happen quietly. Others unfold dramatically. Studying political science at Macalester helps you understand both.<\/p>\n    \t    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section   class=\"callout-resource block-container callout-resource--inner\">\n    <div class=\"callout-resource__inner\">\n        <div class=\"callout-resource__lockup-column\">\n            <div class=\"callout-resource__lockup\">\n                <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Making Sense of a Complex World<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">Here, you\u2019ll connect theory to practice, tracing philosophical issues about power, justice, and freedom to practical matters like policymaking and problem-solving. You\u2019ll learn to ask thoughtful questions, conduct imaginative research, gather convincing evidence, and communicate clearly and confidently.\u00a0These skills open doors to careers in government, law, nonprofits, diplomacy, journalism, academia, and beyond.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"callout-resource__content-column\">\n            <ul class=\"callout-resource__links-container\">\n                                    <li class=\"callout-resource__link\">\n                        <a class=\"base-cta-featured\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/facultystaff\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t    Meet Our Faculty\n\t\t\t\t\t\t    <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-symbol base-cta-featured__arrow\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <use xlink:href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/symbol-arrow.svg#icon\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"callout-resource__link\">\n                        <a class=\"base-cta-featured\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/majorsminors\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t    Political Science Major and Minor Requirements\n\t\t\t\t\t\t    <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-symbol base-cta-featured__arrow\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <use xlink:href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/symbol-arrow.svg#icon\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                                    <li class=\"callout-resource__link\">\n                        <a class=\"base-cta-featured\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/courses\/\" target=\"_self\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t    Explore Political Science Courses\n\t\t\t\t\t\t    <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"base-symbol base-cta-featured__arrow\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t    <use xlink:href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/symbol-arrow.svg#icon\"\/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n                    <\/li>\n                            <\/ul>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"context-image block-container context-image--right\" >\n    <div class=\"context-image__inner\">\n        <div class=\"context-image__image-column\">\n            <div class=\"context-image__image-wrapper\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"context-image__texture\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/images\/texture-context-image.png\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ainsley Meyer \u201926 sits and chats animatedly with other students in class.\" class=\"context-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/Ainsley-Meyer-26.jpg\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"context-image__text-column\">\n            <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">The energy is contagious<\/h2>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">Ask any professor why Macalester is such a great place to teach political science, and you\u2019ll get the same answer: the students.\r\n<br><br>\r\nThey\u2019re politics nerds in the best sense \u2014 debating over lunch, lighting up in class, arriving with questions that push the conversation forward. That energy pushes faculty to teach at their best and turns every classroom into a buzzing forum.<\/p>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"context-image block-container context-image--left\" >\n    <div class=\"context-image__inner\">\n        <div class=\"context-image__image-column\">\n            <div class=\"context-image__image-wrapper\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"context-image__texture\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/images\/texture-context-image.png\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Twin Cities skyline\" class=\"context-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/Twin-Cities_cropped.png\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"context-image__text-column\">\n            <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">In the heart of civic life<\/h2>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">Macalester sits in a major metro area and a state capital\u2014rare for liberal arts colleges. Internships at the State Capitol are down the street. So are policy jobs with Twin Cities nonprofits, grassroots organizing, and opportunities with international NGOs.\r\n<br><br>\r\nThe Twin Cities have an unusual concentration of global organizations. You can engage with issues spanning local governance to international human rights without leaving the neighborhood.<\/p>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"statistic-group block-container\" >\n\t<div class=\"statistic-group__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__header-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__header-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Political Science in the Twin Cities<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stats\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"statistic-group__stat-heading\">5<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"statistic-group__stat-copy\">Miles to the Minnesota State Capitol<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"statistic-group__stat-heading\">200+<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"statistic-group__stat-copy\">Internship sites within 8 miles of campus<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"statistic-group__stat-content\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"statistic-group__stat-heading\">1<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"statistic-group__stat-copy\">Minnesota\u2019s rank in voter participation\u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"context-image block-container context-image--right\" >\n    <div class=\"context-image__inner\">\n        <div class=\"context-image__image-column\">\n            <div class=\"context-image__image-wrapper\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"context-image__texture\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/images\/texture-context-image.png\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A group of Macalester students poses for a shot at the United Nations.\" class=\"context-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/20251031_mac_nyc_0473.jpg\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"context-image__text-column\">\n            <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Learn through global perspectives<\/h2>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">Political science at Macalester tackles pressing global issues. Armed conflict. Humanitarian action. International development. Social movements.\u00a0\u00a0\r\n<br><br>\r\nOur courses give you tools to understand how decisions in one place ripple far beyond its borders. You\u2019ll explore international politics, global governance, migration control, African politics, and Chinese foreign policy.<\/p>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"context-image block-container context-image--left\" >\n    <div class=\"context-image__inner\">\n        <div class=\"context-image__image-column\">\n            <div class=\"context-image__image-wrapper\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"context-image__texture\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/images\/texture-context-image.png\">\n                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Willow Albano '26 works on a laptop.\" class=\"context-image__image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/Willow-Albano-26.jpg\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"context-image__text-column\">\n            <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Not all political scientists want to be politicians<\/h2>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">This major is for students who want to understand politics theoretically and scientifically\u2014not just participate in it.\u00a0\r\n<br><br>\r\nRecent grads have worked as press secretary for the Minneapolis mayor, joined Teach for America, and earned graduate degrees in public policy and law. On the international stage, alumni have worked with the United Nations Environment Programme, the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Scholar Program, and the International Rescue Committee UK.<\/p>\n\t\t\t    \t\t\t    \t\t\t<\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"callout-quote block-container\" >\n    <div class=\"callout-quote__inner\">\n        <div class=\"callout-quote__container\">\n            <div class=\"callout-quote__image-column\">\n                <div class=\"callout-quote__image-wrapper callout-quote__image-wrapper--landscape\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/10\/SamiBanat.jpg\"\n                        alt=\"Sami Banat\"\n                        class=\"callout-quote__image\"\n                    >\n                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"callout-quote__image-wrapper callout-quote__image-wrapper--portrait\">\n                    <img decoding=\"async\"\n                        src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/10\/SamiBanat.jpg\"\n                        alt=\"Sami Banat\"\n                        class=\"callout-quote__image\"\n                    >\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"callout-quote__text-column\">\n                <blockquote class=\"callout-quote__quote\">My studies at Macalester have been crucial to becoming a better, more confident organizer. They\u2019ve broadened my understanding of my community and helped me to see the bigger picture.<\/blockquote>\n                <cite class=\"callout-quote__name\">Sami Banat \u201924<\/cite>\n                                \t<cite class=\"callout-quote__title\">Public and Legislative Affairs Manager, Political Science major<\/cite>\n                                \t                <div class=\"callout-quote__cta\">\n\t                    <a class=\"base-cta-secondary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/news\/2022\/01\/hometown-organizer\/\" target=\"_self\">Read Sami&#8217;s Story<\/a>\n\t                <\/div>\n                                <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"callout-quote__ornament\" src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/macalester-2020\/dist\/svgs\/texture-quote.svg\">\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"card-group block-container card-group--2\" >\n            <div class=\"card-group__header-container\">\n            <div class=\"card-group__header-inner\">\n                <div class=\"base-lockup\">\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t        <span class=\"base-lockup__label\">Chuck Green Fellowship<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t        <h2 class=\"base-lockup__heading\">Put your ideas into action<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t        <p class=\"base-lockup__copy\">The Chuck Green Fellowship pairs classroom study with a paid summer project you co-create with a Twin Cities community partner.\u00a0Twelve sophomores and juniors spend spring semester in a political science seminar, then design a 10-week summer project with a community organization. You pitch it. Macalester funds it.\u00a0\r\n<br><br>\r\nPast projects include youth art programs, domestic violence prevention, mental health support for queer and trans youth, and internationally-oriented work with Global Rights for Women, the International Institute of Minnesota, and World Without Genocide. Read more about recent fellowship recipients below.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t    \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"card-group__cards-container\">\n                    <article class=\"card-group__card\">\n                                                        <a\n                        href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/inside-the-chuck-green-fellowship\/\"\n                        class=\"card-group__card-link\"\n                    >\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"card-group__card-image\" alt=\"Olivia Johnson '25, smiling, sits at a table and chats with other people.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/Olivia-Johnson-25.jpg\">\n                    <\/a>\n                                                    <div class=\"card-group__card-inner\">\n                    <h3 class=\"card-group__card-headline\">Olivia Johnson &#8217;25<\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"card-group__card-copy\">Olivia worked with the International Institute of Minnesota, which supports new Americans through programs in workforce development, education, and anti-trafficking.<\/p>\n                    <div class=\"card-group__card-cta\">\n                        <a class=\"base-cta-secondary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/inside-the-chuck-green-fellowship\/\" target=\"_self\">Read More<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>    \n                    <article class=\"card-group__card\">\n                                                        <a\n                        href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/inside-the-chuck-green-fellowship\/\"\n                        class=\"card-group__card-link\"\n                    >\n                        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"card-group__card-image\" alt=\"Jordan Galloway '26 collaborates with other students, leaning over a table and discussing.\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/Jordan-Galloway-26.jpg\">\n                    <\/a>\n                                                    <div class=\"card-group__card-inner\">\n                    <h3 class=\"card-group__card-headline\">Jordan Galloway &#8217;26<\/h3>\n                    <p class=\"card-group__card-copy\">Jordan partnered with Urban Roots MN, a youth development organization on Saint Paul\u2019s east side that employs local youth in programs such as Cook Fresh, Market Garden, and Conservation. <\/p>\n                    <div class=\"card-group__card-cta\">\n                        <a class=\"base-cta-secondary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/news\/2024\/09\/inside-the-chuck-green-fellowship\/\" target=\"_self\">Read More<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/article>    \n            <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Join a thriving community<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Connection and scholarship. <\/strong>Our department brings students to Washington, DC to compete in the Schumann Challenge, the European Union&#8217;s flagship competition for undergraduate students.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/studentopportunities\/pisigmaalpha\/\"><strong>Pi Sigma Alpha<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong>Join Macalester\u2019s chapter of this national honor society and help plan on-campus activities, including an annual student research conference.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/mitaulecture\/\"><strong>Mitau Lecture<\/strong><\/a><strong>. <\/strong>This annual lecture brings distinguished speakers to discuss current political science topics.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Alumni-senior mixer.<\/strong> Our extensive Twin Cities alumni network returns annually to connect with seniors, offering advice and opening doors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<section class=\"callout-featured-media block-container\"\n >\n    <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"callout-featured-media__accent callout-featured-media__accent--cyan\"><\/div>\n    <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"callout-featured-media__accent callout-featured-media__accent--red\"><\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"callout-featured-media__lockup-row\">\n        <div class=\"callout-featured-media__lockup-column\">\n                    <div class=\"callout-featured-media__lockup\">\n                                                    <h2 class=\"callout-featured-media__lockup-heading\">Are you a future Political Science major at Macalester?<\/h2>\n                                                    <p class=\"callout-featured-media__lockup-copy\">If you\u2019re considering Mac, let us know. We\u2019ll keep you up to date on application deadlines and visit opportunities.<\/p>\n                                                    <ul class=\"callout-featured-media__lockup-cta\">\n                                                    <li class=\"callout-featured-media__cta-item\">\n                                <a class=\"base-cta-primary\" href=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/admissions\/request-information\/\" target=\"_self\">Introduce Yourself<\/a>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                                    <\/ul>\n                            <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n            <img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Three political science students sit at a table, listening to someone off screen.\" class=\"base-background-media base-background-media--image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/20241101_mac_0580-960x0-c-default.jpg\" srcset=\"        https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/20241101_mac_0580-720x0-c-default.jpg     480w,         https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/20241101_mac_0580-960x0-c-default.jpg     720w,         https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/20241101_mac_0580-1280x0-c-default.jpg    960w,         https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/20241101_mac_0580-1440x0-c-default.jpg    1280w,         https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/589\/2026\/05\/20241101_mac_0580-1920x0-c-default.jpg    1440w            \">\n    \n    \n        <span class=\"base-background-media__overlay\"><\/span>\n    \n        <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"callout-featured-media__accent callout-featured-media__accent--yellow-long\"><\/div>\n    <div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"callout-featured-media__accent callout-featured-media__accent--yellow-short\"><\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Join a thriving community<\/p>","protected":false},"author":881,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template_2020_level_2.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3063","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/881"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3063"}],"version-history":[{"count":22,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3063\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3411,"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3063\/revisions\/3411"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/political-science\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}