Explore American politics, global politics, and political thought. Think critically about moral questions of freedom, justice, order, peace, authority, and equality. Examine issues like immigration, war and peace, the environment, campaign finance, foreign relations, human rights, and nationalism.

In an era of growing political polarization, the politics program cultivates a culture of civil (though lively) dialogue, teaches you how to escape oversimplification, puts American political dynamics in their global context, and pays attention to the age-old moral questions underlying political debates.

All Social Sciences Teaching Endorsement

Politics students seeking certification to teach in secondary education may choose to get an all social sciences endorsement. This covers courses in American history, world history, government, psychology, sociology, geography, and economics.

Experiential Learning

  • Be a part of Loras moot court, an intercollegiate competition where Loras is traditionally very successful.
  • The College’s Iowa location gives you a front-row seat to the influential first-in-the-nation presidential caucuses, including campus visits by presidential candidates.
  • Explore a May-term travel course on Nationalism that has taken students to countries such as China and Ireland.

Explore Internships & Careers

Internship opportunities offer real-world experiences. You can complete internships for academic credit or non-credit. Many students do internships in law, in government, with community groups, or on political campaigns.

  • Dubuque Chamber of Commerce
  • East Central Intergovernmental Association
  • Congressional Offices
  • Law Firms
  • County Prosecutor and Public Defender Offices
  • Dubuque City Government
  • State and Federal Political Campaigns
  • Lobbying Firms
  • Neighborhood Groups

You will be prepared for a variety of interesting careers.

  • Lawyer
  • Policy Analyst
  • Nonprofit Director
  • Urban Planner
  • Diplomat
  • Congressional Staff Member
  • U.S. Military
  • Elementary/High School Teacher
  • Business Executive
  • Government Administrator
  • Community Organizer
  • Journalist

Course Highlights

Constitutional Law: Civil Rights & Liberties

This course examines the Supreme Court’s role in defining the scope and content of civil rights and liberties in the United States, through an analysis of cases in the areas of due process and criminal procedure, privacy, freedom of speech and of the press, religious liberty and the equal protection of the laws.

American Public Policy

This course examines public policy in the United States. We will learn about the process of policy formation, implementation and assessment. We will explore the primary areas of domestic policy, such as taxation, social welfare, healthcare, civil rights, energy, crime, education, and immigration. Finally, we will consider the moral and ethical dimensions of policymaking in these areas.

International Politics

The course examines the origins and evolution of the modern international system with a focus on nationalism, violent conflict, diplomacy, international organizations and law, global political economy, and emerging issues and patterns in the post-Cold War period. It integrates theoretical perspectives with current issues.

graduate degree Opportunities

Loras offers a variety of dual degree & accelerated pathways such as our 3+3 LAW JD. This juris doctorate pathway is designed for high-achieving students to earn both their undergraduate and graduate degrees efficiently and economically.

Loras College Student

Clubs & Orgs

We have a variety of opportunities for you to get involved from the moment you set foot on campus.

Loras College Democrats
Loras College Republicans
Loras Student Government
Youth Democratic Socialists of America
Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society
DuPeace & Justice

Straight Talk from a Duhawk

Moot court shaped my Loras experience by confirming my desire to attend law school (Iowa ’17). It taught me many of the skills that law school students will need to develop during their first year, effectively placing me ahead of the game and helping to ensure law school success.

— Jessica (’14)

Meet Your Professors

Christopher Budzisz  PhD

Associate Professor of Politics

David Cochran  PhD

Professor of Politics
Co-Director of Peace and Justice Minor

Benjamin Darr  PhD

Associate Professor of Politics

Politics News