Political Science

[Basileos Leandros I]

Not sure where this belongs, so move it if inappropriate, but I wanted to ask who here would like to study/studies/has studies political science.

Why do I ask?

I'm a current student of political science and I'm enjoying it very much (the course, the structure and the in depth academic analysis that it provides not just on the subject), and I wondered how others are feeling about it. And most of all, what would you like to do afterwards?

[Claudius Gothicus]

I'm getting a Sociology degree... does that count?

We should form a group, something along the lines of ''Social Scientists of TWC Unite!''

[DaVinci]

I'm getting a Sociology degree... does that count?

We should form a group, something along the lines of ''Social Scientists of TWC Unite!''

I support you.

Just because you could maybe try to create some standards for twc's political discussions, and with the time, some sense comes in.

[Sir Winston Churchill]

I'm really glad this subject was brought up as I may be seeking a degree in Poli-Sci on top of my degree in Linguistics (my thinking to aim for a career in diplomacy or some kind of embassy work, translation if anything), but I'm starting to consider switching that for economics as another user pointed out. I feel a company would more likely hire me if I knew not only language but also the workings of economics rather than know how politics works.

Now that I think of it, doesn't really take a genius to.

[Bleda]

It's not a terribly useful degree in terms opening you up to job markets. Sure you can use it as a stepping stone towards law school, but it's not a prerequisite to law school or a political career. Maybe if you want to be a political consultant for a company or something, but even those jobs are relatively few with high barriers to market entry.

I graduated with a bachelor's in political science myself, I learned quite a bit and I'm glad I took it. But today I work in the insurance and financial services industry. I got more real world use out of my minor in German. Maybe think on an economics degree. I would've majored in economics if I could have do-overs, companies actually want to hire those folks and you get plenty of opportunity to flex your political mind in that field. Plus it's interesting as hell.

[Denny Crane!]

Yeah I'm interested though financially it doesnt seem to offer a lot of benefits as a choice; it makes for interesting conversation. Of course this from a taxi driver, I'll descend into racial stereotyping if I make a concerted effort to talk politics, part of the job description.

[pchalk]

i know people who love it and people who hate it. i myself am about to finish my major in German Studies. not really part of political science aside from the occasional talk of german and EU politics. i had considered the major myself but ruled it out in favor of my current path of study

[Diamat]

I support the creation of this group.

Concerning the OP: Although a great field, political science has its issues. These days, in American universities, PS students are drilled with stupid methodologies (such as rational choice theory, or various quantitative and qualitative approaches), which are then used by the students in their research almost religiously. These theoretical frameworks are taken as truth, and the empirical evidence is molded to fit those theories, not the other way around. This leads to a skewing of the empirical evidence. Political science departments hire professors based on what theoretical framework they advocate...it's pretty sad, actually. Political science needs a revolution.

[Frederich Barbarossa]

I take college classes though I'm in high school on US government and Comparative politics between China, Russia, Nigeria, Iran, Mexico, and Great Britain. I may go to the university of Edinburgh if God permits and study Political Science/International relations, and may do something revolving around law.

[YuriVII]

I took poli-sci and I am a firefighter and land-surveyor. I got certifications for those two jobs from a community college. So yeah I think you can guess my stance on how useful it is. I tossed around the law school idea but figured out eh, mb later or not at all. Office work is boring for me anyways. Plus I'm a law breaker not a law-interpreter.

[Frederich Barbarossa]

I took poli-sci and I am a firefighter and land-surveyor. I got certifications for those two jobs from a community college. So yeah I think you can guess my stance on how useful it is. I tossed around the law school idea but figured out eh, mb later or not at all. Office work is boring for me anyways. Plus I'm a law breaker not a law-interpreter.

whats your opinion on international relations? I am interested in getting a job in either the US government or UK gov.

[King Gambrinus]

If you want to be a politician, I think law or economics are the main subjects that will be useful. In Britain, PPE is generally what most politicians take, but it continental Europe it seems to be law. Political science is more for political journalists or historians.

I doubt major politicians care about theoretical liberalism or socialism or fascism. They care more about power.


Very interesting subject from what I can see though.

[Frederich Barbarossa]

If you want to be a politician, I think law or economics are the main subjects that will be useful. In Britain, PPE is generally what most politicians take, but it continental Europe it seems to be law. Political science is more for political journalists or historians.

I doubt major politicians care about theoretical liberalism or socialism or fascism. They care more about power.


Very interesting subject from what I can see though.

hmm thanks. I'll give it a shot over there and see if I can do something involving Law which im pretty sure I can do.

[brandbll]

I've got my bachelor's in Poli Sci. It's very useful if by chance someday you run out of TP and need to find a substitute. Other than that, don't bother...

Oh, and if you are serious about going to law school it's useful. That's it, that's all.

[Dr. Oza]

I used to be a political scientist student like you but then i took an arrow of logic to the knee. Now i'm premed.

[ALFAJI]

well i study it now in kuwait and i will take with it history as a sub-studys and i really like it and i hope the best for us all

[Frederich Barbarossa]

I got accepted into the University of Edinburgh now for POlitics and Philosophy but I will look into law.