DEPARTMENT OF
POLITICAL SCIENCE

The mission of the Department of Political Science is to provide information about and analysis of the political world. In our research we craft theory and gather data to understand policy choices and political conflicts. In our teaching we address a wide array of political institutions and processes. Through community engagement we share our understanding beyond the classroom and academic world.

Our Research: A Snapshot of a Moving Target

As scholars and teachers, the political science faculty at CWRU work to explain the political world. Our research is a large part of that effort. Research is an ongoing activity, and it is hard to paint a picture of something that is in motion. I had book chapters published in the Summer of 2009 that were first drafted in 2005, and built on a conference paper I did in 1996! Many of us are currently working on book projects, and Professor Beckwith has edited a symposium and has the lead article coming out next Spring in Perspectives on Politics, one of the two research journals of the American Political Science Association. But one way to describe what we do is with a snapshot of our publications, fellowships and honors from 2008 and 2009. (Click to Read More)

Information About Political Science Courses

Political Science courses are designed both for majors and non-majors. Although we believe the three introductory courses (POSC 109, POSC 260, and POSC 272) are useful in other courses, and should be completed by all majors so their education in the field will be well-rounded, there are no prerequisites. We seek to make all our courses academically rigorous, but students who are interested in politics should be able to take our 300-level courses even if they have not taken other courses in the field. If a faculty member feels her course is an exception, she will make that clear.