Document Type
Thesis
First Faculty Advisor
Ilisabeth Bornstein
Keywords
Political Affiliation; College Major
Rights Management
CC-BY-NC-ND
Abstract
This thesis will carefully explore the relationship between undergraduate college major, and political participation and affiliation of young voters (ages 18-29). There has been a great deal of research in the field of voter behavior about this generation of young voters, and how they will impact the new electorate and overall political climate. An increasing commonality amongst young people is an undergraduate education of some kind. However, undergraduate students can choose their area of study, thus differentiating the exposure to information and experience of each student at a very impressionable time in their lives. A study of the political behavior of young people should consider the undergraduate major or minor. The relationship was studied using a quantitative analysis surveying current Bryant students and recent alumni that fall within the age requirements of this demographic. This research will contribute to the extensive work done to better understand the new age group that is entering politics by studying how undergraduate area of study can affect political affiliation and participation.
