Executing searches with no text in the Search Terms entry field will render no results.
print page

Political Science and Public Affairs Research

Political Science and Public Affairs Research Undergraduate Curricular Requirements

Political Science and Public Affairs Research Academic Minor Requirements

Political Science and Public Affairs Research Graduate Degree Programs

Donald W. Crowley, Chair, Dept. of Political Science and Public Affairs Research (205 Admin. Bldg. 83844-3165; phone 208/885-6328). Faculty: Lisa J. Carlson, Donald W. Crowley, Eric L. Jensen, Nickolas E. Jorgensen, Jooho Lee, William R. Lund, Bryan S. McQuide, Sandra G. Reineke, Manoj Shrestha.

Political science is the study of politics, the process of gaining, maintaining, and exercising governmental power in the United States, in other countries, and internationally. The political science major at UI provides students with a wide selection of courses in American and comparative politics, international relations, public law, public administration, and political theory. Students may choose either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree program.

The department is committed to teaching excellence. Most of the introductory courses are taught by full-time faculty and all of the faculty are readily available in their offices for discussion and guidance. The department stresses the opportunity to take small classes and to interact with other students and faculty. The diversity of the faculty's intellectual pursuits and concern for students makes these courses interesting and ensures that, whatever the students' interests, from Middle Eastern politics to the American presidency, from the study of environmental politics to political violence and revolution, there is a scholar in the department who can teach the subject to them.

Students are encouraged to participate directly in the political process through internships in federal, state, and local government or on political campaigns. UI students have participated in internships with the Idaho state legislature, the Idaho Governor's office, and Idaho's U.S. senators and representatives in Washington, D.C. Other students have interned with local governments throughout the state and for federal agencies such as the State Department, and have worked on political campaigns for candidates for offices at all levels of government.

After graduation UI students find that their degree in political science opens the door to a wide variety of careers. Many students pursue careers in law. Others attend graduate school and prepare for careers in federal or state governments, as city managers or administrators, or as teachers. Some graduates choose to work with public interest groups, trade associations, and environmental groups; or eventually run for, and win, elective political office. Still other graduates find that their knowledge of politics and the skills they acquire to analyze complex institutions are excellent preparation for a career in journalism. Finally, business institutions are employing more and more political science graduates because of their ability to communicate with precision and vigor, their familiarity with large organizations and complex decision making processes, as well as their understanding of how foreign and domestic governmental institutions and U.S. multi-national corporations function in an interdependent world.

Courses

See Part 6 for courses in Political Science (PolS).