Political science is the study of political systems and how they function.
It has its origins in the fourth century B.C., when Aristotle set out to classify governments. Students of political science gain an understanding of the political nature of the contemporary world, from simple acts such as choosing products as consumers to the complexity of global politics in the information age. As governments and the private sectors of society become more intermingled, political scientists become more valued for their understanding of how both systems work and for their reasoning and analytical skills. Majors in political science are prepared for entry level positions in a variety of fields and for graduate study. Advanced degrees in political science offer the applied skills often necessary for professional advancement.