Political Science
Political science is, in one sense, an ancient discipline. From the beginnings of human society, people have made observations about the nature of their government, the personalities of their leaders, and the consequences of governmental action. Plato, Aristotle, and a long line of great political thinkers have pondered the questions of politics and political institutions.
On the other hand, political science as it is taught today is a very new discipline, developed primarily in the United States in the past 50 years. During this period, scholars have attempted to move from mere observations about politics to scientific observations about politics. The goal has been to describe and explain political phenomena with greater accuracy. Political phenomena are studied at various levels—individual, group, local government, national government, and international.
Students of political science study the way governments are structured, the way they operate, and the way they affect the governed. They analyze sources and patterns of power. Many students find it exciting to discover how they relate personally to the political system.
Students major in political science for a variety of reasons. Therefore, Luther's political science department maintains a wide variety of courses to give students the ability to pursue their different interests. Students choose their curriculum in the major with the help of their adviser.