Government & International Affairs (Political Science)

Why study government & international affairs?

Government & international affairs students will gain a deeper understanding of political life in the United States and internationally, tools of inquiry and critical judgment, as well as rights and obligations of responsible citizenship.

  • At Augustana, political science is also known as government & international affairs to convey the belief that the proper analysis of politics includes — but goes well beyond — the “scientific” approach.
  • The knowledgeable professors in the government & international affairs department hold students to a high standard as future leaders.
  • This major promotes opportunities for internship experiences and emphasizes advising regarding post-graduate and professional opportunities.
Government & International Affairs at AU

Government & International Affairs at AU

Beyond AU

Braydon Ashfeld ‘24, who majored in government & international affairs and communication studies/business (now strategic communication & leadership), is a staff assistant for Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer in the U.S. House of Representatives. As a staff assistant, Ashfeld manages front office responsibilities. During his time at Augustana, Ashfeld spent a semester interning with the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.

Contact Us

Government & International Affairs Department


Latest News

Augustana University and Sioux Falls have connected the 2024-25 Augustana Student Association (ASA) president and vice president in ways they never could have imagined. Persuaded to run for top ASA leadership positions by their peers, Annie Johnston '25 and Prince Adhikari '26 both needed a running mate and found each other. They had all the makings of a great team. And now, with a semester under their belt as president and vice president, listening, connecting and having fun is what has guided them through the academic year thus far.

Thanks to the Jean Schroeder Educational Trust, Augustana University has received nearly $1 million for endowed student scholarships. The trust was established by Dr. A.T. (Andy) Anderson in memory of his late wife, Jean Schroeder ‘60.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides annual support to students across the country — enabling “American students to gain proficiency in diverse languages and cultures, skills that are critically important to their academic and career development.” Maddox Sievert ‘26 and Hannah Woody ‘26 are AU’s 2024-25 recipients of the Gilman Scholarship.