Starting with the introductory course, the Coe political science curriculum emphasizes the understanding of politics as a worldwide phenomenon. In an age of instant media coverage and global markets, students need and want to learn about the main similarities and differences between their government and all the others. The courses and major requirements combine a solid grounding in American politics with the study of foreign governments, world politics, and political theory. A number of political science courses also carry writing emphasis credit. This reflects a belief that genuine knowledge and critical thinking requires a lot of digging and effort to organize and clarify information and ideas on paper. Excellent opportunities and strong encouragement are provided for additional ways to study politics outside of the classroom such as off-campus study, internships, independent study, meeting campaigning candidates, and talking politics with members of the Political Science Club.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak participated in the fifth annual Coe College Contemporary Issues Forum in February 2007. He met with Political Science faculty members Lynda Barrow (top) and Kim Lanegran and political science students Mark Pahlas '07 and Kari Oldfield '10 (above).