Government & Politics

Civic literacy put into action

You’ll have a unique opportunity to pursue a degree in government and politics in a city that is shaped by politics. Located just minutes from the state capitol, we have a variety of opportunities to take the classroom out into the real world. Our professors challenge you to develop your own perspectives on politics. We aim to foster respectful debates that create room for disagreement, but maintain a collegial and productive tone.

Visit

Apply

Why study Government & Politics at Millsaps?

In their own words

Fran Edwards, Class of 2025

“Our program is located in our state’s capital so there are many internship opportunities in state government as well as on campaigns. There is a diverse array of opinions in each classroom. Even so, everyone is respectful and curious about varying perspectives, so you will always be able to share your thoughts and build upon your understanding. Any student who loves politics is privileged to study it at Millsaps.”

DB Bennett, Class of 2024

“Government and politics has provided me the confidence to discuss real-world politics. I can engage with anyone, no matter their beliefs, and have a respectful conversation. My peers and I learn from one another through discussions and games that have me excited to return to class.”

Featured Courses

Here is a sampling of a few courses that might pique your interest.

GOVT 2350 Politics of Identity

This course investigates the role of gender, race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation in American politics and public policy. Students examine how Americans think about others and themselves as members of different groups.

GOVT 3710 Civil Liberties & Civil Rights

Examine the individual constitutional rights provided by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment. Topics include freedom of speech, expression, association and religion; right to privacy; right to bear arms; and the equal protection clause.

Browse all Government & Politics courses

Degree Options

Discover your degrees, minors, concentrations and certification options available for this field of study.

Government & Politics, B.A.

Government & Politics, B.S.

30%-40% of Law School Applicants Have a Government & Politics Degrees

It is estimated that around 30-40% of all American law school applicants have a government and politics degree.

Annual Legislative Fellowship Program

Four junior or senior women are selected each spring to work at the state Capitol with legislators and legislative caucuses.

Memory Politics — Community-Engaged Learning Course

Step out of the classroom and into the many local museums where students interrogate the ways that “Southern” identity is taught.

Our distinctive strengths

Small class sizes ensure you will get the attention you need from professors as well as promote discussions in ways that a larger classroom setting cannot. A distinct strength of our department, and of our students, is our ideological diversity. We aim to foster respectful debates that create room for disagreement, but maintain a collegial and productive tone; our students are instrumental in helping us achieve this goal.

Specialized classes on a variety of topics (Global Authoritarianism, U.S. Foreign Policy, Free Speech and Censorship, Lobbying and Legislative Politics, African Government, Politics of War)
Study abroad in Tanzania
Success at supporting students in getting into law school
Meaningful faculty mentorship in Ford Fellowships and Honors
Ideological diversity and amicable, but lively, political discourse
Culture of support of students and access to faculty within a tight-knit department

Gain hands-on experience

Heritage, Identity, and the Politics of Travel in Tanzania — students will engage in Kiswahili language learning, experience multiple exciting locations (including Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Moshi and Zanzibar City), and visit museums and heritage sites as places where we can study identity-making and interrogate the power of the tourist gaze. You will learn about everyday life in Dar es Salaam, interact and learn daily with Tanzanians and enjoy going on safari, visiting markets and beaches, and hiking to the ruins of Ottoman colonial strongholds.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Pathways

Our curriculum emphasizes problem solving and critical thinking skills essential to any career (and therefore any Pathway), as well as scientific writing and experimentation skills that may be especially critical to students interested in any of our six Pathways tracks.

Learn More About Pathways