The Observer

Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Opinion

George Washington is probably the world's best example of a history and political science major.

Being a political science major has taught me many things. I have learned about the political systems of other countries, how to screw over people using agenda control in Congress, and that lobbyists might actually be ridiculously ineffective. But the best part of being a political science major is the fact that the "science" part of the major confuses my family. You see, science invokes such wonderful thoughts of decent, objective study (and most importantly, job prospects) that they neglect to bother me about my other major: history.

Coming out to my parents that I was, in fact, a closet history major, qualifies as one of the most terrifying experiences of my life. I originally intended to major in biology and become a doctor. But when scheduling in fall 2008, cool history course titles, like "the French Revolution," and a SAGES class about the history of slavery, somewhat distracted me. So much so, that I "forgot" to sign up for any science classes. I realized during winter break my freshman year after receiving my grades that I would have to inform my parents that I had no intent of majoring in biology or going to med school. Naturally, I opted to tell them after I was safely deposited in Cleveland for my second semester and my tuition was paid.

After calling my mother at 1:00 a.m., trying to reach her voicemail, I confessed. (As a distraction mechanism, I also informed her that my little brother was storing vodka under his bed in the hope it would buy me more time to formulate a defense against the incoming onslaught.) My mother called me the next day and informed me, in a hollow, dead sort of way, that she was "OK" with my choice. For all of the three people that read this column, two of which I assume are men given CWRU's demographics, "I'm OK" in hysterical woman-speak is roughly translated as, "I'm really upset with you and totally identifying with all those mothers in those Lifetime movies that have awful ungrateful children." Two hours after the conversation with my mother, my brother called to tell me that she was crying on the phone, telling my father that I was "squandering my future."

So for the past year, every family party has been filled with a variety of delightful questions and passive-aggressive suggestions that I go do something with a brighter future. I usually fend them off by lobbing political science terms like grenades. And, at this point, I've adopted a different mindset.

I tormented myself in high school, doing the science track to make my parents happy. Now, for the first time in my academic career, I am actually excited to go to class. I've learned (and attempted to tell various other students here) that there is nothing wrong with choosing not to major in a science. And I wish, in particular, at this school that more people recognized that fact. Yes, I am actually proud to be a history and political science major.

I understand that there are way too many people with history doctorates, and that my odds of getting into a good grad school are slim, and that if I want to do political science I need to learn how to do math - and it doesn't bother me. Maybe in ten years, when I'm clutching my master's diploma in history and living in a van by a river, I'll regret my decision. But for right now, I'm happy.

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