Political Science is the study of the organization, ideas, and behavior of people, groups, and institutions which make up our government and the larger political system. The field of study develops students’ critical thinking skills by analyzing complex ideas, evaluating competing arguments, identifying assumptions and bias, and evaluating evidence before drawing conclusions. The discipline also develops students’ analytical reasoning skills through the interpretation of texts, analyzing data and historical evidence, recognizing patterns and relationships, and building their own understanding of the world as they connect ideas across courses and the subdisciplines of political science. Exposure to multiple ideas, gaining comfort with ambiguity, will help develop students’ adaptability and resilience as they navigate the complexity, ambiguity, and changing world in which we live.
The Political Science program at DePaul has faculty expertise and course offerings in American political culture, American Politics, Political Theory, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Public Law, and Research Methods. Our concern for social justice and our depth in political culture and civic engagement set us apart from most other political science degree programs. Our faculty are committed to an ethical understanding of the world, of justice and social justice, and we seek to enable our graduates to become agents of social change for the betterment of society. We utilize Chicago as a resource to draw on for internships in federal, state and local governments, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, campaigns, the courts, the legal profession, and media, to apply knowledge and gain experience for life after college. Our location provides opportunities for students to build their pre-professional track to a career through internships paired with reflective academic work.
We also offer opportunities to engage in co-curricular activities such as Mock Trial, Model UN, an active chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha (the political science honor society), as well as student government, the Pre-law Association, and the Political Science Student Association. These student groups provide opportunities for developing leadership skills, initiative, self-confidence, teamwork, communication and interpersonal skills. Gaining experience through these kinds of activities often predicts early career advancement. Students will also meet people and develop personal networks and lifelong friendships that will enrich their college experience.
Faculty
Clement Adibe, PhD
Professor
Queen’s University, Canada
Molly Andolina, PhD
Professor
Georgetown University
Kathleen Arnold, PhD
Senior Professional Lecturer
The University of California at Los Angeles
Rhiannon L. Auriemma, PhD
Lecturer
Northwestern University
Malia Bowers, PhD
Professional Lecturer
Northwestern University
Michael L. Budde, PhD
Professor
Northwestern University
Burcu Degirmen Dysart, PhD
Lecturer
The University of Oklahoma
William E. Denton, PhD
Professional Lecturer
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Jill Dunlap, PhD
Lecturer
Northern Illinois University
Edwin Eisendrath, MA
Lecturer
National Louis University
Ben C. Epstein, PhD
Associate Professor
City University of New York Graduate Center
Richard P. Farkas, PhD
Professor
University of South Carolina
John French, PhD
Lecturer
University of Illinois, Chicago
Daniel Hanichak, JD
Lecturer
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Scott Hibbard, PhD
Associate Professor and Department Chair
The Johns Hopkins University
Kathryn Ibata-Arens, PhD
Professor
Northwestern University
Valerie C. Johnson, PhD
Professor
University of Maryland, College Park
Joséphine Lechartre, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Notre Dame
Emad Mahou, JD
Lecturer
DePaul University
Joseph F. Mello, PhD
Professor
University of Connecticut, Storrs
Philip Meyers, JD
Lecturer
Chicago-Kent College of Law
Steven Millies, PhD
Lecturer
The Catholic University of America
Christina Rivers, PhD
Associate Professor
Cornell University
Madison Schroder, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Oregon
Steven Schwartzberg, PhD
Lecturer
Yale University
Rose Spalding, PhD
Professor
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Phillip Stalley, PhD
Associate Professor and Internship Coordinator
George Washington University
Wayne P. Steger, PhD
Professor
University of Iowa
Joe R. Tafoya, PhD
Assistant Professor
University of Texas at Austin
Erik R. Tillman, PhD
Professor
Emory University
David L. Williams, PhD
Professor
University of Texas at Austin
Eric Wright, JD
Lecturer
Chicago-Kent College of Law