Should Political Science Be Capitalized? Exploring the Debate

Introduction

Political science is a broad field of study that encompasses many different topics, including public policy, political theory, international relations, and more. As such, it is often used in academic writing and can be seen in titles, papers, and other materials. But when it comes to whether or not “political science” should be capitalized, there is some debate.

In this article, we will explore the debate surrounding the capitalization of political science. We will examine the different perspectives on the issue and provide an analysis of why political science is a proper noun and should be capitalized.

Exploring the Debate: Should Political Science Be Capitalized?

When it comes to capitalization, there are a few conventions that should be followed. Generally speaking, proper nouns—such as names and titles—should be capitalized. However, when it comes to political science, there is some disagreement over whether or not it should be capitalized.

In order to better understand the debate surrounding the capitalization of political science, let’s take a look at each side of the argument.

Examining the Grammatical Conventions Surrounding Political Science

The first point to consider is that, according to grammatical conventions, proper nouns should be capitalized. In fact, The Chicago Manual of Style states that “proper nouns, including titles, should be capitalized.” This means that any words that refer to specific people, places, things, or concepts should be capitalized.

Therefore, if political science is considered a proper noun, then it should be capitalized. But what constitutes a proper noun? Let’s take a closer look.

Analyzing the Different Perspectives on Capitalization

The debate surrounding the capitalization of political science is complex and involves various perspectives. On one hand, some argue that it should not be capitalized because it is not a proper noun. They point out that “political science” is simply a description of a field of study, and therefore does not merit capitalization.

On the other hand, others argue that political science should be capitalized because it is a proper noun. They point out that political science is a specific field of study, and as such, should be treated as a proper noun and capitalized accordingly. This perspective is supported by the fact that other fields of study, such as psychology and sociology, are typically capitalized.

The Case for Capitalizing Political Science

Given the arguments outlined above, it is clear that there is a strong case for capitalizing political science. First, as mentioned previously, political science is a specific field of study, and as such, should be treated as a proper noun and capitalized accordingly.

Second, there are numerous examples of political science being used in writing and being capitalized. For example, in the book Political Science: A Comprehensive Introduction, the authors use the term “political science” throughout the text, and they always capitalize it. This shows that the authors recognize political science as a proper noun and thus treat it as such.

Finally, many universities and colleges have departments dedicated to political science, and they almost always capitalize the term. This further demonstrates that political science is considered a proper noun and should be capitalized.

Is Political Science a Proper Noun?

Now that we have established that there is a strong case for capitalizing political science, the next question is: Is political science actually a proper noun? To answer this question, we must first understand the rules of capitalization and how they apply to political science.

According to the Oxford Dictionary, “A proper noun is a name given to something to make it more specific.” Examples of proper nouns include names (e.g., John, Mary), titles (e.g., President, Prime Minister), and specific places or things (e.g., London, Eiffel Tower).

Given this definition, it is clear that political science is a proper noun. It is a specific field of study and thus merits capitalization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is clear that political science should be capitalized. It is a specific field of study and thus meets the criteria for a proper noun, which should be capitalized according to grammatical conventions. Additionally, there are numerous examples of political science being used in writing and being capitalized, further demonstrating that it is a proper noun.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to capitalize political science is up to the individual writer. However, it is important to remember that, according to the conventions of grammar, political science should be treated as a proper noun and capitalized accordingly.