James Madison College provides an undergraduate education in public affairs and international relations with four distinct fields. Our courses draw insight from various social sciences and related fields, including political science, economics, literature, sociology, philosophy and history. The multi-disciplinary perspective and focus on applied social science prepares students to pursue a variety of careers with a heightened social awareness and global responsibility.
Majors at James Madison College
After the completion of the first-year curriculum, students choose at least one of the following majors to pursue:
International Relations
Examine the economic, political and social interactions of the global community and learn to develop creative solutions to complex societal challenges. Courses explore themes of international security, political economy, global governance and foreign policy. Learn more about the IR major.
Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy
Analyze the principles that motivate political communities and how they are translated into practice. A comprehensive curriculum draws from Plato and the classical poets to contemporary political theory, literature and U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Learn more about the PTCD major.
Politics, Rights, & Culture
Explore the complex relationships between international affairs and cultures. New approaches to analyzing cultures and politics around the globe prepare students to make substantial contributions to international affairs, public policy and public life. Learn more about the PRC major.
Public Affairs for Secondary Education
Public Affairs in Secondary Education (PASE) prepares future social studies educators through a public and international affairs lens. The program combines JMC's interdisciplinary approach to public affairs with the coursework and field experiences required for secondary teacher certification in Michigan. Learn more about the Public Affairs for Secondary Education major.
Social Relations and Policy
Survey the domain of public issues that are especially affected by relations among groups. Courses focus on sociology, history and politics, paying close attention to the influence and intersectionality of class, race, ethnicity, sex/gender, religious belief and national identity. Learn more about the SRP major.
Learn more about JMC's majors and minors.
What Makes JMC Unique
JMC has a common first-year curriculum, which allows students to explore their options and build a foundation before choosing their majors for their sophomore year.
In their first year, JMC students will take:
- MC 111: Identity and Community - This course develops students' college-level writing abilities while exploring the overarching theme of identity and community through a variety of historical, cultural and intellectual contexts.
- MC 201: Introduction to the Study of Public Affairs I - This course introduces students to some of the political, economic and social dimensions of American civilization and how they shape our approach to public and international affairs.
- MC 202: Introduction to the Study of Public Affairs II – This course allows students to explore topics within the social sciences and humanities through a writing-intensive research seminar. Students will engage through the research process to create research proposals.
- MC 100: First Year Success Seminar - This course covers both the academic expectations of JMC and practical resources for helping students make the most of their time at Madison.
Students declare JMC major(s) at the end of their first year and begin coursework in the specific area of study during the second year. By graduation, about half of a students’ coursework will have come from within JMC, with the other half coming through other disciplines at MSU.
JMC students often supplement their JMC majors with additional majors and minors offered through other MSU departments.
Spotlight: Ashlin Stover
In Fall 2025, JMC student Ashlin Stover (IR '27) was named MSU's first recipient of the Voyager Scholarship. The scholarship supports students who demonstrate an expansive view of what’s possible through public service. Read more about Ashlin's academic journey at JMC and her path to the Voyager Scholarship.
Student View: Yellowstone Study Away
Interested in learning more about opportunities to study outside the classroom? Read a Q&A with Gabriel Hoover (IR '27) who participated in the Yellowstone Study Away program, led by JMC Profs. Sherman Garnett and Daniel Kramer, in May 2025.
Academic Resources
