Political Science Department

The department of political science is made up of 20 full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty, all with terminal degrees in their field. In addition, we are supported by six part-time adjunct faculty, most of whom are professionals in the community. Political science faculty support two graduate programs-the Master of Public Administration and the interdisciplinary Master of Environmental Studies.

The department is committed to providing undergraduates at the College with a challenging major in political science that emphasizes knowledge as well as the progressive development of skills essential to the practice of public citizenship and vital to any individual career choice. There are currently over 350 undergraduate political science majors. Our pedagogy facilitates students' ability to communicate effectively, write and think analytically, conduct independent research, work in a diverse environment, engage in the interplay of ideas, and participate in public life. Programming beyond the classroom, like the thematic fall lecture and spring Convocation of Majors, emphasizes political currency and political information literacy, as well as career exploration. Students have the opportunity to work with an individual faculty member on independent research or to collaborate with faculty on research of mutual interest. Internships and study abroad opportunities round out the experience for students in political science.