The Political Science Undergraduate Major and Its Future: The Wahlke Report—Revisited

The Political Science Undergraduate Major and Its Future: The Wahlke Report—Revisited

By Steven Rathgeb Smith and Meghan McConaughey, American Political Science Association

The undergraduate major in political science has been one of the most popular social science majors on college campuses for many decades. As colleges and universities expanded in the post–World War II period, political science offered vital knowledge in understanding government, politics, and citizenship. Moreover, political science was an excellent training ground for students interested in public-service careers, including law, government, and the nonprofit sector.