History, Politics, and Global Affairs

A Global Experience

The history, politics, and global affairs major recognizes that a course of study both local and global in its scope is essential in today’s world. At Wesleyan, students experience a global community on a daily basis. Wesleyan ranks among US News and World Report’s Most International National Liberal Arts Colleges and our classrooms are filled with students from all over the world. Our history, politics, and global affairs majors graduate prepared to meet the demands of global citizenship and with the necessary tools for understanding and applying their values to a rapidly changing world.

Leadership and Advocacy 

Wesleyan prides itself on educating women leaders and the history, politics, and global affairs major features coursework emphasizing leadership development and advocacy, which coupled with service, internships, and professional development will prepare students to engage with diverse communities and real-world challenges. The program includes partnerships with local and regional organizations including Macon-Bibb city government, Washington D.C.’s Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN), Mercer Law School, and the Southern Regional Model UN.  Students have interned with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Macon, the Georgia General Assembly, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the Chamber of Commerce, and various law firms, businesses, and non-profit organization in the Macon-Bibb County area. 

Career Preparation

The history, politics, and global affairs major provides students with knowledge and skills associated with career preparation. All students have an internship or a professional development experience. In addition, a one-hour Professional Development Practicum that students take sophomore, junior, and senior year will support them in planning for graduate school, marketing knowledge and skills, and connecting with internship and career opportunities. The major prepares students considering careers in law, government, public policy, international organizations, non-profit organizations, international development, social work, journalism, business, and teaching. 

Outside The Classroom

History, politics, and global affairs majors apply what they learn in the classroom to new settings and complex real world problems. In doing so, they acquire skills and experiences employers and graduate programs are looking for. All students are required to do an internship or professional development experience. Some students choose to do graduate-level research as part of their professional experience. Study abroad is also an integral part of the major. Students in recent years have studied in France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, and Guatemala, to name just a few destinations. Others have done internships in Nepal and Vietnam. The faculty also encourages students to experience extracurricular activities that enhance their understanding of politics and help students develop critical skills in research, public speaking, group collaboration, and leadership. Students are involved in campus organizations such as Young Democrats, College Republicans, and Amnesty International. In recent years, our students have organized voter registration drives and have volunteered for senate and presidential campaigns. The College has a Model United Nations chapter and teams of our students regularly participate in the annual Southern Regional Model UN and the Harvard Model UN. Through the Public Leadership Education Network (a consortium of women’s colleges), students attend public leadership seminars in Washington, D.C., on topics such as “Women in Congress” and “International Public Policy and Women.”