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Department of Political Science and International Relations

Faculty

Leanne Doherty, Chair and Associate Professor
Abel Amado, Assistant Professor
Kirk Beattie, Professor (Emeritus)
Benjamin Cole, Associate Professor, Division Director, Division of Social Sciences, Education, and Public Health
Denise Horn, Associate Professor, Political Science and International Relations and Women and Gender Studies
Catherine Paden, Associate Professor, and Deputy Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education
Kristina Pechulis, Associate Professor of Practice, Director, Barbara Lee Family Foundation Intern Fellowship Program
Aaron Rosenthal, Assistant Professor
Lena Zuckerwise, Assistant Professor

Overview

The field of political science is divided into four subfields: American politics, comparative politics, international politics, and political theory. Collectively, courses in these areas introduce students to the study of the institutions of government, the processes of decision-making (domestic and international), the content of these decisions (public policy), and their impact on society. The field of political science is also concerned with questions of how governments should be constituted and how politics should be carried out. The study of political science has traditionally provided a solid foundation for careers in government (national, state, and local), diplomacy, law, and business, as well as in teaching and journalism. For this reason, students often choose to combine a major in political science with one of a wide variety of other majors, such as communications, economics, education, English, history, management, psychology, sociology, or international relations.

The curriculum in the Department of Political Science consists of four introductory courses, a wide variety of topics courses, and an advanced seminar. Students in the department are encouraged to undertake internships in government offices and interest groups at the national, state, and local levels. They also have the opportunity to pursue independent research with individual professors. The department also encourages students to engage in political science studies abroad.

Learning Outcomes

At the successful completion of the Political Science major, students will understand and be able to critically analyze:

  • Domestic and international institutions of government
  • The processes of decision making
  • The content of political decisions
  • The impact of political decisions on society
  • The theoretical foundations of government and governmental decision-making

At the successful completion of the International Relations major, students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language, and will understand and be able to critically analyze:

  • Domestic and international institutions of government and organizations
  • The political, economic, and social relations among states
  • The transnational roles of non-state actors
  • The impact of political decisions on society
  • The theoretical and historical foundations of political decision-making
  • The aspects of political development, nation building, and democratization.
  • The nuances of international law, human rights, and ethics.
  • The tenets of international economic institutions and trade

Departmental Honors

To become a candidate for honors in political science, a student must have a GPA of 3.67 in political science and must submit a proposal for a thesis to the department in the spring of their junior year. The chair, in consultation with members of the department, will determine candidacy. In addition to the courses listed above, an honors candidate is also required to complete POLS 350 Independent Study followed by POLS 355 Thesis. Graduation with honors in political science is based on the assessment of the faculty committee to which the student submits their thesis.

Departmental Awards in Political Science:

Each year, the department recognizes selected graduating seniors for their academic accomplishments and contributions to the POLS/IR department. The Carroll French Miles Award recognizes a graduating Political Science major who has demonstrated academic excellence in the major. The Roy M. Tollefson Award recognizes a graduating Political Science major who has demonstrated a high level of engagement with the department and its programming. Award recipients are selected each year by the POLS/IR faculty.

Honors in International Relations

To become a candidate for honors in international relations, a student must have a GPA of 3 .67 in international relations courses and must submit a proposal for a thesis to the International Relations Steering Committee in the spring of their junior year. The chair, in consultation with members of the Committee, will determine candidacy. In addition to the courses listed above, an honors candidate is also required to complete INRL 350 Independent Study followed by INRL 355 Thesis. Graduation with honors in international relations is based on the assessment to the faculty committee to which the student submits their thesis.

Departmental Awards in International Relations

Each year, the department recognizes selected graduating seniors for their academic accomplishments and contributions to the POLS/IR department. The James P. Warburg Award recognizes a graduating International Relations major who has demonstrated academic excellence in the major. The Dag Hammarskjöld Award recognizes a graduating International Relations major who has demonstrated a high level of engagement with the department and its programming.