About the Political Theory Minor
The political theory minor is an excellent program for all students interested in pursuing a career in law or government. Students have the opportunity to choose the courses they’re most interested in from a long list of approved options. Course topics range from political philosophy to environmental justice to American political thought. Students can additionally choose an emphasis in environmental or legal political thought.
Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of Wyoming to declare a political theory minor.
Many political theory students aspire to work in law, government, academia and research. Therefore, many of our students go on to pursue graduate degrees from prestigious universities. Recent grads have studied at Northwestern University, McGill University and the University of Utah.
What can you do with a political theory minor?
A political theory minor helps students develop critical thinking, ethical reasoning and strong analytical writing skills. These skills are valuable in fields like law, public policy, journalism, education and nonprofit work. This minor is especially useful for those planning to attend law or graduate school or pursue careers that involve complex ideas, political systems or social change.
Take a look at some of the careers you can pursue with a political theory minor:
- Political analyst
- Journalist
- Lawyer
- Teacher
- Legislative Aide
- Professor
- Public relations manager
- Communications manager
- Consultant
- Campaign manager
- And more!
UW grads pursue a wide variety of jobs in law and government. Here are some of the places they’re making an impact:
- United States Senate
- Wyoming Legislature
- U.S. Space Command
- Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation
- City and County of Denver
- Colorado State University
- Comcast
- Ogilvy
- And more!
Political theory is the study of ideas about government, power, justice and the rights and responsibilities of citizens. It explores fundamental questions like: What makes a government legitimate? What is freedom? What do we owe each other in a society? Political theorists analyze texts from thinkers like Plato, Rousseau and Marx, as well as modern debates about democracy, equality and human rights. The goal is to understand how political ideas shape the world and how we might use them to create better systems and societies.
Studying political theory helps you think deeply and critically about the values and principles that shape political systems and decisions. It sharpens your ability to analyze arguments, question assumptions and understand multiple perspectives on justice, power and rights. Political theory also provides a strong foundation for engaging with real-world issues like inequality, democracy and global conflict. Whether you're interested in law, policy, activism or simply being a more informed citizen, political theory gives you the tools to think clearly about how society works—and how it could work better.
Law, Life and Leadership: Meet Marci
Originally from Casper, Marci studied political science at the University of Wyoming while playing Division I soccer, then earned her law degree from UW with honors. Today, she’s a successful attorney with experience in civil rights, business law, estate planning and more. Marci believes that being a Wyoming Cowboy means living with authenticity and purpose—values that began at UW and continue to guide her work, family and community involvement. For Marci, studying politics at UW wasn’t just academic—it was the foundation for a career spent making thoughtful, impactful decisions every day.
"A minor in political theory develops one’s ability to think analytically and abstractly and develops one’s writing skills. These are all invaluable in today’s society and economy. In addition, students get to learn about the development of Western ideas of democracy and rights and thus prepare one for informed participation in politics and civil society."
- Brent Pickett, UW-Casper Dean & Professor of Political Science
