Political Science (POL)

220 David M. French Hall
(810) 762-3470
http://www.umflint.edu/polsci

Chair: Peggy Kahn
Administrative Assistant: Suzanne Shivnen

Professor Peggy Kahn (David M. French Professor); Associate Professors Dauda Abubakar, Jason Kosnoski; Assistant Professor Jeremiah Wade-Olson; Lecturers Marcantonio Morolla, Derwin S. Munroe, Kimberly Saks-McManaway 

Professors Emeriti Peter Gluck, Ellis Perlman, Albert C. Price, John Schroeder
 

Political Science includes the study of political institutions and power relations in society, focusing particularly but not exclusively on states (governments) and broad publics.  It studies political life through a number of different approaches:  institutional, legal, historical, behavioral, philosophical, sociological, and political-economic.  It employs a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods.  Its scope is broad, including not only the United States but also other countries and global institutions and processes. 

Political Science programs prepare students to work in government and politics, public policy, non-profits, and private industry.  They offer curriculum relevant to work at local, state, national and global levels.  They prepare students for graduate study in a variety of fields, including law, public administration, public policy, education, public health, and academic social sciences.  The Department supports lifelong community and civic engagement and active citizenship.   

Department Mission 

The Department’s mission is to help students develop skills of critical thinking and analysis that will enable them to understand political institutions and processes locally, nationally and globally.  The Department also aims to empower students to engage in informed, thoughtful, and effective ways in public life.

Programs in Political Science

The Department offers several concentration programs leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree:  The General Program in Political Science , the Honors Program in Political Science , and the Joint Program in Social Sciences  with an emphasis on Political Science. Two minors are offered, a Minor in Political Science  and a Minor in International Relations .

In addition, the department anchors the Public Administration program , which offers the General Program in Public Administration , the Honors Program in Public Administration , the 2 + 2 Program in Public Administration  and a Minor in Public Administration , as well as graduate programs in Public Administration (MPA)  and Arts Administration (MA)  (jointly offered by the Departments of Visual Arts, Music, Theater and Dance and Public Administration).   

The Department provides pre-law  advising for all University of Michigan-Flint students, regardless of major.  It also offers an Internship in Public and Community Affairs open to a wide range of students, not just political science majors.