Discover the Opportunities Related to Political Science
The Political Science Department at Gustavus supports students in a wide range of opportunities to broaden their experiences and develop important skills that will serve them well in their careers and to become informed global citizens.
Internships
Students are encouraged to participate in an internship and can earn academic credit toward the Political Science major or minor for internships related to law, politics, or government. Students have interned in local, state, national, and even international locations. Whether you want to gain experience in political campaigns, the legal field, advocacy, international development, or government, we will help you find an internship opportunity that's right for you. Internships are available everywhere from St. Paul to Washington, D.C. Explore internship resources.
Study Away
You are encouraged to study away for summer term, a semester, or even a year, and courses related to political science taken while studying abroad can count toward your major or minor. You can spend a semester studying and interning in Washington, D.C. through the Washington Internship Institute, or travel the world through a study-away program focused on political science. Political science faculty also lead occasional summer term courses that are of interest to Political Science students. Explore study away resources.
Research Opportunities for Students
Students can work with faculty on research projects during the semester or even during the summer. Interested students should talk with a Department faculty member about these opportunities.
Pi Sigma Alpha
Eligible juniors and seniors are invited to join the Pi Gamma chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national honor society for political science. Gustavus inducted its first group of members in 1986 and has more than 400 lifetime members of the organization.
Political Science Writing Award
Each year the Department celebrates the accomplishments of our students by recognizing the authors of two papers written in Political Science courses.
Ronald S. and Rolf S. Christenson Scholarship in Political Science
This scholarship is awarded to a junior Political Science major who has a demonstrated interest in public service and financial need.
Student Organizations
Political Science students live out their passion for politics and government through participation in many different student organizations related to political science, such as Student Senate, the Environmental Action Coalition, the Womyn's Action Coalition, and many more. Through their involvement, students develop lifelong friendships, gain experience planning events, and make a difference in our local community and our world.
Christenson Lectureship
Ronald S. and Kathryn K. Christenson Lectureship in Politics and Law is a bi-annual lecture series that features leading scholars and practitioners in political thought and law.
With generous funding from Kathryn Kidd Christenson to honor her late husband, Ronald Christenson, Gustavus Adolphus College and the Department of Political Science established the Ronald S. Christenson and Kathryn K. Christenson Lectureship in Politics and Law.
Professor Ron Christenson (1937–1998) came to Gustavus in 1969 to help establish a department and major in political science. Ron found his professional passion—political trials—at the intersection of politics and law. His first book, Political Trials: Gordian Knots in the Law (1986, revised edition 1999) and the book popularly known as “Dictionary of Political Trials” (1991) were both published by Transaction Press. Ron co-edited the U.S. edition of Richard Turner’s The Eye of the Needle: Toward Participatory Democracy in South Africa (Orbis Books,
1978), a book banned in South Africa. He received the Gustavus Adolphus College Association of Congregations’ Covenant Award in 1997, the College’s prestigious Edgar M. Carlson Award for Distinguished Teaching in 1993, and the Faculty Scholarly Achievement Award and Faculty Service Award, both in 1987.
Kathryn Christenson, who taught courses in English and women’s studies at Gustavus and was later a staff associate in development and public affairs at the College, endowed the lectureship to reflect her husband’s dual specialties in teaching and scholarship—political theory and history of political thought, combined with constitutional law and jurisprudence.
History of Christenson Lectureship Guests
- 2015 - Dr. David Cole
- 2017 - Judge Tanya Bransford
- 2019 - Justice Barry Anderson
- 2022 - Dr. Tim Johnson
- 2024 - Dr. Kevin Washburn