Political Science Department

Programs

Honors Program

See “Honors Program” under the curriculum section of the catalog and consult the department for further details.

Outstanding students majoring in political science or international studies are invited by the department in the spring semester of their junior year to submit materials for consideration for the political science honors program the following year. Invitations are extended to students selected from this group. The program is a yearlong curriculum in which students successfully complete a political science graduate or senior seminar, conduct original research on a topic of their own choosing, and write an honors thesis under the direction of a political science faculty member. Honors students also must enroll in the honors tutorial seminar in the fall semester. Consult the department or director of undergraduate studies for more details.

Study Abroad

The Department strongly encourages its majors to consider studying abroad at some point in their studies. For specifics, consult CIPA and the director of undergraduate studies.

Advising

Students who declare a major are assigned a faculty advisor in the department who may be consulted on any matter pertaining to a student's progress. It is the student's responsibility to seek out his or her advisor as needed in the course of the academic year.

Language Study

The International Studies major requires two years of college-level study of a modern foreign language, or the equivalent.

Internship

Students who have sufficient background in political science courses are eligible to apply for government/political internships approved by the Department of Political Science. Students have served as interns in the White House; the offices of members of Congress, governors, and lieutenant-governors; in state legislatures; and in other state, county, and city offices. Students also may serve as interns in programs at The Carter Center. Students may earn up to twelve semester hours of political science internship credit, but a maximum of four semester hours may be used to satisfy the requirements of the political science major and a maximum of four semester hours may be used to satisfy the requirements of the international studies major.

Awards and Honors

Outstanding students majoring in political science and international studies are invited by the department to join Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. In addition, the Elliott Levitas Award for outstanding accomplishment in political science is presented annually to a senior major who exemplifies excellence in political science or international studies.

Independent Research and Study

Independent research with faculty is available through the department's Directed Study course, and from time to time other research opportunities with faculty are available.