Political Science

Overview

Political science studies people and the institutions that govern them across different political, social, and economic contexts. Central to the discipline is knowledge of the government and politics of nations and their subunits, analysis of political principles and ideas, international dynamics, political conflict, policymaking, elections, social movements, and political participation. The program pays special attention to the skills necessary to analyze the political world in a systematic and rigorous way, including a focus on research design, qualitative and quantitative research methodology, and original research.

Political science courses at New College are structured into four subfields (American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory), reflecting traditional intellectual emphases within the discipline. Students have considerable flexibility in planning their studies across topics and geographic areas; some concentrate on the politics of the United States, while others develop an interest in areas such as Latin America, Europe, Asia, or Africa, and still others create their own specializations. Beyond courses and tutorials, many of our students complete internships or work in organizations or on campaigns to gain the experience needed not only to understand but also to participate in political processes. Each student’s program of study culminates in a senior project under the close guidance of a faculty member. Our program provides a strong foundation for students, whether they plan to further their education in political science or related fields or pursue careers in government service, law, diplomacy, journalism, electoral politics, or nonprofit advocacy.

Faculty in Political Science

Frank Alcock, Professor of Political Science and Environmental Studies
David Ellis, Associate Professor of Political Science
Michael Gorup, Assistant Professor of Political Science
Barbara Hicks, Professor of Political Science/Social Sciences Division Chair
Richard Izquierdo, Associate Professor of Political Science
Jack Reilly, Professor of Political Science (On Leave)
Casey Wheatland, Assistant Professor of Political Science
Nat Colletta, International Affairs Scholar-in-Residence

Requirements for the AOC in Political Science

A minimum of eleven (11) course units, including:

¹

Alternate Statistics class accepted if approved by Political Science faculty advisor.

Requirements for the Joint AOC in Political Science

A minimum of eight (8) course units.

¹

Alternate Statistics class accepted if approved by Political Science faculty advisor.

²

Students may only double count two courses to fulfill the requirements of the two Joint AOCs.

Requirements for a Secondary Field in Political Science

A minimum of five (5) course units.

Transfer Students

Students transfer to complete their majors and degrees at the new institution, so the AOC should largely be completed here. That said, transfer students are welcome and we will seek to accommodate their tighter schedules to graduation.

1. A student may transfer up to two full-semester courses for credit to the AOC in Political Science at New College.
2. Transfer students will be admitted directly to 3000-level courses, even if they do not have the pre-requisite of an introductory course in Political Science at the time.
3. Transfer students may also receive a third course credit for work in statistics or quantitative analysis if their introductory statistics course or sequence covered not only basic variables and hypothesis testing, but also the logic of confounding variables and statistical control, particularly in the context of multiple regression, and using replicable and reproducible statistical methods. Please bring your syllabus or syllabi for these courses and consult with your faculty advisor.

Beyond the Classroom

Students are encouraged to obtain field experience through internships or other work experience with agencies of government, political parties, interest groups, or non-profit organizations. In recent years, students have interned with U.S. Congressmen, the Governor of Florida, U.S. AID, the U.S. Department of State, the American Civil Liberties Union, multiple law offices, and county planning agencies. They have helped in political campaigns, handled publicity for the Sarasota Peace and Justice Center, challenged decisions of the local Airport Authority, and become radio news announcers. Occasionally, students with highly specialized interests plan to spend a semester at another college or university; this is encouraged when appropriate. Those with interests in comparative politics and international relations are encouraged to spend a semester abroad.

Representative Senior Theses in Political Science

• The Moral Majority and the Interaction of Religion and Politics in America
• Islam and Politics in Egypt and Iran
• The Urban Policy of the Italian Communist Party
• Pluralism in the Defense Appropriations Process
• Small Local Governments in Florida: Mayor vs. Manager
• What Must Remain Public?  Essays on Privatization, the Constitution, and Public Administration
• Race Riots in the United States: Two Explanatory Models
• Tainted Transitions: The Historical Legacy of Imperialism and the Failure of Democratization in the Caucasus