Hanover Political Science Department
Why Study Political Science?
Deciding upon a major can be an intimidating task, and you may be wondering if political science would be a good fit for you. If any of the following is true for you, then the political science department at Hanover College may be just what you have been searching for.
You enjoy:
• Student activism
• Current issues and events
• Conducting research
• Foreign cultures
• Thinking independently and forming ideas
You want to:
• Travel abroad
• Analyze governments and politics
• Debate political theory
• Consider global issues
• Influence politics and policy
• Be a campaign worker, lawyer, politician, lobbyist, diplomat, or news reporter
What Hanover Political Science Offers
Political science is the study of governments, public policies and political processes, systems, and political behavior. It focuses on the behavior of individuals, social groups, and the institutions that humans use to make and carry out public policy decisions.
The Hanover political science program has been designed specifically to provide an independent thinking environment, where problem solving is stressed in order to turn today's students into tomorrow's leaders.
Classes, small enough for informal and in-depth discussion, cover a wide range of topics, from causes of war to the place of law in society. Students gain the tools necessary to understand and thoroughly analyze government and politics. A small student-faculty ratio allows the staff to truly become invested in each student's success. The major requires an interest in critical thinking, current events and analysis, but it offers any number of subfields in which to focus, including public policy, political philosophy, and international studies.
As a political science major, you may select a focus and choose courses from one of our many subfields. Courses in American Politics, for instance, include presidency, the legislative process, campaigns, and elections. As you advance through our program, you will develop the research and critical thinking skills you need to become a practicing political scientist. Research projects are fully supported by state-of-the-art computer labs and libraries that are readily accessible. Our program offers the best of both worlds, with a supportive faculty that also allow students to work freely and independently. The program is rigorous and academically challenging, but your hard work will pay off as you gain a comprehensive and thorough liberal arts education that will prepare you for a broad spectrum of careers.
Highlights
Hands-on Experience
At Hanover, we believe in a hands-on learning experience. Students can jump head first into the world of political science and enjoy such unusual opportunities as interning in criminal justice at the Washington Center or studying internationally at the Catholic University of Leuven in Belgium or Bogacizi University in Turkey.
Spring Term
Spring Term at Hanover is designed to break up the routine of a typical semester. Instead of taking on a full load of courses, students take on one subject and immerse themselves fully in that alone for four weeks. This concentrated study allows you to gain a deep understanding of and confidence in one subject within your major that most intrigues you. What better place for an in-depth study of the United Nations than the organization's world headquarters in New York City? Or maybe you prefer to study policy making in Washington D.C. Whatever your area of interest, you will be able to explore it during Spring Term.
Faculty Accessibility
Although political science is an academically demanding program, support is always available. The distinction of our political science faculty is overshadowed only by its dedication to our students. With a depth of experience and wealth of knowledge unprecedented for an institution of our size, the staff includes specialists in many different areas, all of whom are eager to provide students with guidance and support.
Opportunities for Research
Research is a major part of any political scientist's career. At Hanover, students can participate in a wide range of research projects supported by our skilled faculty as well as computer labs and an electronically connected library. Along with these local facilities, students have opportunities to conduct research abroad and in other areas around the country, including Washington, D.C.
Recent research projects have included:
• Sara Fritz and David Meohan's "Political Socialization of Women"
• Dianna O'Brein's "Women's Influence in U.S. and Canadian Legislatures"
• Daniel Scheller's work in social capital and neighborhood associations
• Party rating in Congress
• Policy making on the executive, legislative, and judicial levels
Career Opportunities
Political Science within the context of a liberal arts education equips graduates with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to continue on to a variety of careers and/or graduate school opportunities.
Previous graduates' career and professional placements have included:
• Attorney (Indianapolis, Lexington)
• Army JAG
• Clerk for Federal District Court (Miami)
• Ph.D., University of Maryland
Graduate school placements have included:
• Washington University
• Florida State University
• The Ohio State University
• Indiana University
• The George Washington University
• University of Notre Dame