Political Science
Program Website
For Aristotle, politics was the "master science" on which all branches of human activity depended. For Stetson students today, political science offers an opportunity to explore how and why public decisions are made about issues such as tax cuts, health care, human rights, regime change, military intervention, protecting the environment, civic activism and disengagement.
With developed skills of critical thinking, speaking and writing, students are well prepared for graduate and professional study -- notably in law, public policy, international relations and political science. Other graduates enter professions such as political consulting, public administration, journalism and business.
A distinctive feature of Stetson's program is its emphasis on opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. Our program may take you to Latin America, Eastern Europe or Washington D.C.; or you could find yourself interning for a government agency and lobbying bills at the Model Senate.
Faculty
The Political Science faculty is committed to preparing high quality courses, in addition to being engaged as community and university citizens.
Political Science faculty members use this extraordinary level of activity in the classroom setting, as they "practice what they preach" about the importance of civic engagement. Additionally, four of the five Political Science faculty members speak two or three languages as "world citizens."
Our faculty includes:
- T. Wayne Bailey, Ph.D, University of Florida; active in local and state politics; member of the national board of the American Lung Association; winner of the Hand Award for Community Service
- Anne M. Hallum, Ph.D, Vanderbilt University; founder of the Alliance for International Reforestation, which works in Central America; author of a book and a dozen articles on Religion and Politics; winner of the Hand Award for Community Service
- David L. Hill, Ph.D, University of Florida; author of a book and several articles on American politics
- Eugene Huskey, Ph.D., London School of Economics; Professor of political science and director of Russian Studies; William R. Kenan Chair (1999- )
Specialty area: comparative politics; Russian and Central Asian politics
Current research: Russian presidency and bureaucracy; Russian law; politics in Kyrgyzstan - Gary Maris, Ph.D, Duke University; founder and president of the 'People Helping People'Â foundation; winner of the Hand Award for Community Service; winner of the McEniry Award for Excellence in Teaching; winner of the John Hague Teaching Award; author of a book on international law
- William R. Nylen, Ph.D, Columbia University; author of a book and several articles on democratization in Latin America
Course Information
Students majoring in Political Science take the essential core courses in American National Government, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Analysis, and Politics of Healthcare. They finish their major by completing research and writing a substantial Senior Project paper in an area of particular interest to them.
In addition to the six required courses, students select from 25 specialized classes, such as Politics of International Trade and Finance; Central Asia: Politics and Society in the Russian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern Borderlands; Latin American Politics; Contemporary Political Thought; American Constitutional Law; and Environmental Politics.
Internship Opportunities
Each semester, Professor Bailey assists students in gaining internships with circuit court judges, local government agencies, the Supervisor of Elections and the U.S. Congress. Professor Hallum arranges and supervises summer internships for students with the Alliance for International Reforestation, an environmental organization working in Guatemala and Nicaragua. During this experience, students live with families in these countries and work on reforestation and educational projects in mountain villages.
Alumni Highlights
The Political Science department is proud of the political accomplishments of many alumni, particularly former U.S. Senator Max Cleland; former Florida Senator Jack Latvala (1994-2002); former Florida Representative Joe Negron; and Representative Andy Gardiner (Republican Majority Leader in the Florida House of Representatives 2004-2006).
In addition, several graduates of our department have become prominent political scientists, including Bruce Berkowitz, research fellow at the Hoover Institute; Professor Natalie Davis of Birmingham-Southern College; Dr. George C. Edwards III, Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Texas A>M; and Professor William Mishler, University of Arizona.
Many of Florida's finest attorneys were Stetson Political Science majors and work for firms such as Holland > Knight (Clay Henderson) and Metz, Hauser, Husband > Daughton (Jim Daughton). Our graduates are also found in law firms around the country, such as Baker Botts, LLP in Dallas, Texas (Romina Levine) and the Friese and Price law firm in Atlanta (Stephanie Friese).
Clubs and Organizations
Political Science Honorary, Pi Sigma Alpha; Law Honorary, Phi Alpha Theta; Model Senate Planning Committee
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- The Sen. Max Cleland Scholarship for the Washington D.C. Semester at American University allows Stetson Political Science majors to attend American for one semester, with all credits transferring to Stetson.
- The David Rinker Scholarships assist students who are working with The Alliance for International Reforestation in Central America during the summer.
- The department also offers aid through the T. Wayne Bailey Scholarship Fund.
Department Awards
- Dr. T. Wayne Bailey Award for Outstanding Research in Political Science
