Skip to Main Content

Political Science

Here you will find library and internet resources for research on topics and issues in Political Science

What is "Political Science"?

Political Science is defined in Credo Reference in the following way: 

"A discipline that can be traced back to the Ancient Greeks. Considered by many to be the first theorists in the discipline, thinkers like Plato and Aristotle wrestled with questions related to good government and the political system. As the discipline has broadened, it now largely coincides with political sociology in research themes, theory, and methodology. In the United States in the 1930s and 1940s, it was shaped by concerns about the systematic study of power, as it sought to differentiate itself from other disciplines such as economics and philosophy. Political science studies the distribution of power in different polities; the sources of power; how, when, and by whom it is exercised; as well as who gains and who loses in power struggles. These struggles may range from local-interest groups competing for positions of power in county government to a military dispute between two superpowers. From these observations, political scientists draw general propositions, hypotheses, and, ultimately, theories about power and politics."

Or from Brittanica Academic:

"Political Science, the systematic study of governance by the application of empirical and generally scientific methods of analysis. As traditionally defined and studied, political science examines the state and its organs and institutions. The contemporary discipline, however, is considerably broader than this, encompassing studies of all the societal, cultural, and psychological factors that mutually influence the operation of government and the body politic."

Political Science Classes

Check the Political Science department website for a list of the degrees and certificates offered. Check with a counselor to see what classes are currently required for these degrees.

Citation Styles

Did your instructor require you to cite your sources for an assignment? Did they say you had to use MLA, APA, or Chicago formatting for your paper? If so, the library can help you. Always ask your instructor what citation style should be used for research projects. See below for links to helpful resources.  
 

We have an online guide dedicated to citation help.

We have downloadable handouts with some basic APA, MLA, and Chicago style information.

CR has a campus-wide subscription to NoodleTools, a user-friendly citation manager. 

When you have questions the above sources don’t cover, you might need to consult the official style manual. Our librarians can help.