Prof. Roberts smiles at camera while leading class from podium

Political Science

Political Science at Davidson

The Political Science Department aspires to offer one of the best undergraduate educations in politics in the country. We provide our students with the analytic tools to become thoughtful, creative, and ethical leaders and problem-solvers.

The department is especially strong in combining deep exploration of theory with engagement on real-time policy challenges. It is committed to creating an environment in which a diverse array of political and intellectual viewpoints are welcomed, explored, and critiqued. Students in Political Science courses are exposed to a variety of pedagogical styles, and graduate with strong analytical writing skills. And the department works hard to provide majors with access to co-curricular learning opportunities, including our popular Davidson in Washington summer internship program.

The department's instructors have won five college and state teaching awards since 1990. The faculty has produced 18 books since 2000, and has published articles in top political science journals. The faculty are engaged in the policy world, having served as staff or consultants in Congress and for the Department of State, the United Nations, the World Bank, UNICEF, and others. They are also very active in the media, appearing on CNN-International, BBC, NPR's All Things Considered, MSNBC, Fox News, Al Jazeera, PBS News Hour, and multiple local news outlets.

Prof. Susan Roberts sit in on an NPR panel, and speaks into a microphone while seated on stage

Many faculty members play active roles in the policy world and bring that experience into their classrooms. Our professors have worked on Capitol Hill in both the Senate and House of Representatives, in a U.N. Peace Operation, on the National Security Council staff, in the Department of Defense, and at the U.S. Army War College.

Three students sit at desk looking ahead during a political science class

Students enrolled in POL 381 administer a $15,000 philanthropy grant and are responsible for all aspects, including determination of eligibility requirements, priorities and preferences, application procedures, and selection of grantee(s). The funding was made available through the generosity of the Learning by Giving Foundation.

Prof. Menkhaus and student meet in his office

Our faculty members involve students in meaningful research, and students often serve as co-authors on published papers and articles in peer-reviewed journals. Current examples of faculty research with students include: the peace process in Colombia, N.C. voting rights laws, and patterns of jihadi violence in Kenya, among others.

Political Science Events