Political Science

MORE INFORMATION
Dr. Susan M. Johnson, chair
Political Science Department
Salisbury 201
(262) 472-1120
johnsons@uww.edu

Admissions Office
UW-Whitewater
Whitewater, WI 53190
(262) 472-1440
Fax:
(262) 472-1515
uwwadmit@uww.edu
Web site

Political science is the study of government and politics, and it is part of the liberal arts curriculum. The study of the liberal arts develops the capacity to think critically, to communicate effectively, to analyze and to solve problems in addition to providing training in a substantive discipline. With the increased importance of government in the lives of individuals, business and society, a degree in political science is an excellent preparation for life in the 21st Century. The Political Science Department in the College of Letters and Sciences provides students with the opportunity to take a wide range of courses in all areas of the discipline (American government and politics, public policy and administration, comparative government and politics, international relations and political theory) as well as political science methodology and internship opportunities. After meeting the breadth requirements, students can concentrate their remaining courses in one of the areas of the major. Political science also jointly offers a major in public policy and administration with the Management Department in the College of Business and Economics. The interdisciplinary international studies major is housed and coordinated in the Political Science Department. The Department also offers minors in Political Science, Legal Studies, Public Administration and International Studies as well as certificate programs in Lobbying and Paralegal Studies.

The College of Letters and Sciences is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has also approved the political science major for certification of teachers in the state.

Political science graduates are prepared to enter graduate and professional schools as well as a wide range of career options, including:

• Business
• State, local, and national government
• International employment
• Journalism
• Law
• Law enforcement and criminal justice
• Lobbying
• Teaching
• Paralegal certificate

All faculty members hold doctoral degrees, as do most academic staff members. All academic staff are required to have at least a masters degree. No teaching assistants teach political science classes. In addition to full-time teaching, faculty and staff conduct and publish a wide range of research and engage in service activities such as coordinating the World Affairs Seminar for 1,000 high school students, making political commentary for the local media, sponsoring the yearly Kyle Lecture and coordinating a number of lecture series.

Preparation for the degree should begin in high school and continue with the university’s core courses and liberal arts courses that develop skills in communication, problem solving and social science research methods. Students interested in the international aspects of political science are advised to begin or continue training in a foreign language(s).

Dr. John Kozlowicz, department chair, has won the W.P. Roseman Award, the highest university-wide award for teaching and the UW System Regents Award for Teaching Excellence, the highest teaching award in the UW System.

Political science students have an opportunity to take an internship in addition to their regular course work. Interns, at the local, state or national level, have long been a part of the political science curriculum. In some areas, former interns have risen to a level in their companies where they are employing current interns. National internships are arranged in cooperation with The Washington Center. Among the varied internship opportunities are:

• State legislative office
• Congressional offices
• Area city managers and city government
• Area district attorneys
• Area judges
• Area attorneys
• State agencies such as the DNR

The Political Science Department sponsors or co-sponsors a number of short-term travel study opportunities including faculty-led trips to Mexico, China and Ireland.

Graduates in political science have had success in gaining admittance to law and graduate schools. A recent survey by the department indicated 12 percent of political science alumni are currently practicing law. Political science graduates also hold a large number of positions in state government and several positions in congressional offices; others serve as city managers. Political science education majors are found in a number of area schools. Many Political science majors have selected a professional minor in business and hold business positions.

The Department offers one scholarship and one writing award. The John F. Kozlowicz Legal Studies Scholarship is awarded each year to a Political Science major and Legal Studies minor interested in the study of law. The Lee Davis Writing Award is an award for the best Political Science paper each year

Pi Sigma Alpha, the national Political Science Honors Association, has a chapter at UW-Whitewater. The Law Society, composed of political science and other pre-law majors, provides programming and social activities for students interested in law school, as well as field trips to area courthouses. UW-Whitewater also has an active political community with several student political groups including College Democrats, College Republican and Campus Greens.

REQUIRED POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES
American Government and Politics
Research Methods in Political Science
One course selected from the five major areas of Political Science:
American Government
Public Policy and Administration
Comparative Government and Politics
International Relations
Political Theory

ELECTIVE POLITICAL SCIENCE COURSES
Students also complete 12 elective credits in Political Science including internship and independent research opportunities.