Political science exists at the intersection of history, politics, economics, law, sociology, and theory. In understanding government—its politics, policies, and practices—we become better citizens locally and globally.At the University of Rochester, we emphasize the scientific underpinnings of political science, including systematic testing, analysis, and theory. With concentrations in political science and international relations in one department, you can study American politics and governmental institutions within the frameworks of global warfare, international trade, and social movements. Undergraduate students at Rochester can enhance their studies in political science or international relations through internships, study abroad, and even research. Such opportunities help to build our students' academic portfolios and professional resumes in preparation for their graduate studies or future careers.Select at least one team learning course. Included in the 12 courses listed above. Options include research seminars, experiential learning, supervised teaching, independent study, directed research, senior honors project, and internships.The honors program provides a capstone experience during a student's senior year. Students have an opportunity to conduct original social science research in a small collaborative setting. "Original research" means that students will propose an original hypothesis and evaluate it, as opposed to standard political science courses in which students' written assignments summarize existing arguments. Most theses contain a statistical analysis component, although this is not required. (For example, a thesis could be primarily qualitative or theoretical.)