Liberal applications : the relationship between academic major and sociopolitical attitudes

Abstract

For many students, coming to college presents opportunities for increased independence. When many students enter Ball State, they are at an age where they are able to register to vote for the first time, and may be thinking about political issues deeply for the first time in their lives. This quantitative and qualitative study aims to decipher whether differences among students' political views have a relationship with their academic major, and the reasons behind these relationships. Quantitative analysis of 205 surveys revealed that these relationships do exist, and qualitative interviews with 9 students gives further insight into why these differences exist. Studying the major groups of social science, communications, business, hard science, double majors, criminal justice, education, humanities, CAP, theater, and computer science, this study provides some insight into Ball State's political canvas which may be of use to college students and faculty alike.