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Political Science

Overview

School of Arts and Sciences  /  Political Science

As a political science major at La Salle, you’ll receive a rigorous and relevant education in the fundamentals of political inquiry.

Our goal is to turn you into both a highly-capable professional and an informed citizen. The Department provides our students with a strong grounding in each of the major sub-fields of political science – American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political thought – as well as with the analytic tools and approaches needed to be successful in their careers. We educate our students to express themselves through a variety of formats, but particularly through the written word. We encourage our political science majors to become independent thinkers and pursue their own lines of research. Our faculty believes that it is important to equip students not only to understand the world, but also to think critically and make choices in pursuit of “the good life.”

Departmental Programming

Faculty in the Political Science Department host and participate in a number of events throughout the year for our majors and the wider La Salle community. Among these events are the annual Constitution Day Panel, the Lasallian Forum for Politics and Policy, film nights, and election night parties. They are also actively involved in supporting University initiatives like those of the Diplomat-in-Residence Program (DRP) and Explorer Cafés.

Lasallian Forum for Politics and Policy

The Lasallian Forum for Politics and Policy, established in 2010, brings informative speakers from a range of fields—federal, state, and local governments, nonprofits, law firms, court officials, campaign officials, lobbyists, and interest group activists—onto campus to talk about their work and career trajectory. The Forum aims to give students a firsthand account of each speaker’s field of practice and expose them to the multiple career opportunities in political science. Recent forum speakers and topics include:

  • Amilcar Moreira, Ph.D., Institute of Social Science, University of Lisbon, Portugal, “The Economic Crisis and European Labor Markets”
  • Michael Cleary, Esq., Philadelphia District Attorney’s office, former military officer in Iraq and Kuwait, “Issuing Warrants: Pursuing”
  • Karen Kaiser, Esq., Associate General Counsel for The Associated Press and La Salle alumnus Thomas Curley, former CEO of The Associated Press, “Government Seizing Phone and E-Mail Records”
  • Jamie Malanowski, author and journalist, “Commander Will Cushing: Daredevil Hero of the Civil War”

Student Awards

The Political Science Department offers two awards to each graduating class for outstanding academic achievement.

Political Science Department Academic Award

This Departmental Award is given each year to the graduating student with the highest cumulative grade point average (GPA).  The award is given during Commencement Weekend at a special awards luncheon for all Department winners and their families.

Joseph V. Brogan Senior Research Seminar Award

Inaugurated in 2011, the Joseph V. Brogan Award, named in honor of Dr. Joseph Brogan, ’72, who taught political theory in the Department from 1987 to 2009, is given each year to a graduating senior to honor excellence in undergraduate student research. The award is given to the best paper produced in the senior seminar classes.  The award winner is presented with a plaque after graduation and his/her name is engraved on a larger plaque maintained in the Department.

Courses in this Major

Political science majors at La Salle have the opportunity to take courses from a variety of disciplines across the University. Here is a sample of some of the courses:

POL 120: Governments of Western Europe

This course is an introduction to European politics, with a focus on the political, social, and economic changes over the past 200 years. While focusing on a select number of countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, the course also examines the development of the European Union and the challenges of regional economic integration. It is required of all political science majors. The requirements include a minimum of 10 to 12 pages of academic writing.

POL 310: Political Parties and Elections

This course provides a view of the political problems of the United States as revealed in the major and minor political parties that have arisen during the country’s history.

POL 319: Courts, Judges, and Judging

This course offers an introduction to the development of the Common Law, tracing the rise of courts and the expanding role of judges in England and the United States from the Magna Carta to the Constitution of 1789, discussing the rise of judicial review in the United States, and concluding with an exploration of the competing ways in which current Supreme Court Justices view their role and their power in a democratic society.

POL 341: Globalization and International Decision-Making

This course offers an analysis of the increasing functional obsolescence of the nation state under the pressures of transnational problems such as drugs, AIDS, and the environment. The emergence of regional and international organizations such as the European Community, the Organization of African States, and the Association of South East Asian Nations to meet these challenges are also addressed. The course is required of all political science majors.

"The professors in the Political Science Department are not only accomplished scholars, but were mentors who challenged you to think beyond the conventional, and to always look for the greater good."

— Ricardo R. Johnson, ’07 Associate General Counsel, Carefirst BlueCross Blue Shield

Blaze Your Own Path

Careers and Internships

The approach of the Department is unique, reflecting not only our Lasallian mission, but also our commitment to giving students the kind of education that will benefit them in graduate school, law school, and throughout their career. As a political science major, students will not only receive a top-notch education in line with the Lasallian mission, but also numerous opportunities to learn through internships and political activism. In our program, internships are encouraged. Students find themselves well-prepared and their internships often lead to career opportunities after graduation.

With a solid foundation in the four major sub-fields of political science – American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political thought – your career opportunities could take you in a range of directions. Backed by their own first-hand ability to research, think critically, make evidence based arguments, and address political and policy issues, students will be competent and prepared to handle the field and what comes their way. Our graduates have found themselves in high-level government positions, nonprofits, institutions of higher learning, and more. Our students have participated in internships or received jobs at:

  • National Constitution Center
  • United States Department of Homeland Security
  • United States Environmental Protection Agency Region III
  • United States Marshall’s Service
  • White House Internship Program
  • World Affairs Council
  • Congressional Offices (State and Federal)
  • Mayor’s Office of Philadelphia
  • World Affairs Council
  • Philadelphia District Courts

Careers and Internships

Careers and Internships

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Research

The final project of every political science major is a 35 page independent research project. This is the students’ chance to bring together all of their theoretical and practical knowledge and present an evidence-based claim to the faculty. Upon choosing their topic, students gain hands-on experience in organizing and presenting data and evidence in a clear persuasive writing style. Students have used their completed research when applying to graduate school, law school, national scholarships, grants, and positions in their field. Two of our recent graduates have even gone forth to receive prestigious Fulbright awards for teaching and researching in foreign countries using the fundamental skills in research learned at La Salle. Some past student research topics include:

  • Constitutionality of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
  • Environmental pollution and political mobilization among minority communities
  • Sources of strength for ISIS and other jihadi groups
  • Explanations for the gender wage gap in the United States
  • Political polarization and populism in the United States
  • Comparative development trajectories among Asian states

Research

Research

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Graduate School

After receiving your bachelor’s degree in political science from La Salle you’ll have the skills needed to take you to the next step in your education. Many of our majors choose to pursue a second degree in a related subject or further their education in law school. Regardless of the path they’ve taken, our graduates have found themselves competent writers, persuasive arguers, and well equipped to critically think about domestic and global political and policy issues. Our students have pursued master’s degrees at colleges and universities such as:

  • Harvard University
  • American University
  • Georgetown University
  • Georgia Tech
  • Lehigh University

In the political science program we offer specialized courses in constitutional law, environmental law, financial regulation law, and theories of jurisprudence. Our goal is to expose students to law level classes before they make their decision to go to law school. Beyond these classes, all our courses are designed to prepare students to use logic and reasoning skills, as well as develop persuasive arguments and produce evidence-based writing to ready them for law schools like:

  • University of Pennsylvania School of Law
  • Seton Hall University School of Law
  • Georgetown University School of Law

Graduate School

Graduate School

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I am an Explorer

Elizabeth Ashford, ’ 18

Elizabeth Ashford, ’ 18

It’s important to do what makes you happy. La Salle provides students with so many different clubs and activities that it is hard to not find one you love. Now that I am a second semester senior, I’m going to miss all of the activities I got to be a part of that truly made […]

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Ludmille Glaude, ’18

Ludmille Glaude, ’18

Ludmille Glaude is a shining example of a student who used the opportunities La Salle provided to blaze her own path. Upon coming to La Salle, she immediately carved a spot for herself as an Explorer by getting involved on campus. She’s on the women’s club rugby team, former president of the African American Student League, and tirelessly addresses issues of social injustice in the world, using her voice to help others find their own.

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Elizabeth Ashford, ’ 18

It’s important to do what makes you happy. La Salle provides students with so many different clubs and activities that it is hard to not find one you love. Now that I am a second semester senior, I’m going to miss all of the activities I got to be a part of that truly made me happy.
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Ludmille Glaude, ’18

Ludmille Glaude is a shining example of a student who used the opportunities La Salle provided to blaze her own path. Upon coming to La Salle, she immediately carved a spot for herself as an Explorer by getting involved on campus. She was on the women’s club rugby team, former president of the African American Student League, and tirelessly addresses issues of social injustice in the world, using her voice to help others find their own. She used that same voice to introduce former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama when she spoke on campus in 2016. “Meeting her was definitely a highlight of my time at La Salle,” she says. “It was an amazing opportunity that I will never forget.” Majoring in political science, international relations, and Spanish with a religion minor, Ludmille plans to continue using her voice and education to make a difference in the world. “I want to be an ambassador,” she says. “Having lived in Haiti as a child, I always saw myself as a global citizen, so if I can help people with policy change and travel the world, that’s the dream.” Ludmille recognizes Philadelphia is the perfect city to explore her passions and to help fulfill her dreams. With so many internship opportunities available in a city as large as Philadelphia, she’s already had several internships which have helped her build an impressive resume. But, she says the friendly community has been her favorite part of La Salle. “I feel very blessed because every single person I’ve encountered has helped me in some way,” she says.

Beyond the Classroom

Clubs
Clubs

Get involved on campus

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Clubs

We support our students in integrating their education with the wider Lasallian mission of the University, linking theory and practice. It is not surprising that our students are often leaders in community service, student government, and extra-curricular activities as well as participants in the University’s study abroad programs. Specific to the interest of political science majors we offer several clubs that will enhance and enliven their experience at La Salle.

College Republicans

The College Republicans is an organization that is open to anyone who is interested in being involved in the Republican Party and the political process. The club encourages awareness of Republican candidates and follows the platform of the National Republican Party. The Club is involved in Political Awareness Week along with other events around La Salle’s campus.

College Democrats

The College Democrats is an organization that is open to anyone who is interested in being involved in the Democratic Party and the political process. The Club encourages awareness of Democratic candidates and follows the platform of the Democratic National Party. The Club is involved in Political Awareness Week along with other events around La Salle’s campus.

Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society

Students eligible for Pi Sigma Alpha (minimum of 75 credit hours completed, 3.4 GPA both overall and in the POL or PAD major, and a minimum of five political science courses completed at La Salle) are invited to join La Salle’s chapter. Those students accepting the invitation are inducted into the honor society during the spring semester and receive medallions to be worn at Commencement.

The Students’ Government Association

The Students’ Government Association (SGA) is the officially recognized representative of the student body. The main role of the SGA is to serve as a liaison between students and administration in order to enrich the academic integrity and social environment of the La Salle community. SGA protects individual interests through collective action and fosters academic freedom, academic responsibility, and student rights. Elected members of SGA sit on all University committees.

The Students’ Government Association is comprised of 25 elected members. The SGA consists of an executive board and a senate. The executive board members consist of a President, and Executive Vice President of Student Affairs, Vice President of Academic Affairs, Vice President of Public Affairs, and Vice President of Business Affairs. The senate is comprised of five members from each class. SGA elections for both the executive board and senate are held in early April.

La Salle University Pre-Law Program

The La Salle University Pre-Law program is an officially-recognized organization on La Salle’s campus and was established to foster awareness and to provide information to those La Salle students interested in a career in the legal field. The Pre-Law program is open to any student with an interest in working in law. The Pre-Law program invites practicing lawyers and law school admissions officers to campus to speak about specific legal topics. Student officers are elected in the fall of each year. The Pre-Law program assists students to understand the nature of the law school admissions process, prepare for the LSAT examination, and decide whether or not go to law school after graduation. For more information, contact faculty adviser Nicholas Staffieri at staffieri70@lasalle.edu.

La Salle Mock Trial Association

The La Salle Mock Trial Association is an officially-recognized organization on La Salle’s campus open to students of all years and all majors. Utilizing a national competition case presented each year, students prepare and practice for their roles as plaintiff/defense attorneys or as witnesses. The team travels to and has successfully competed in competitions at the Coast Guard Academy, Princeton, Penn, and Villanova. The team also inaugurated a very successful High School Mock Trial Tournament held on La Salle’s campus each January.

International Summer Programs
International Summer Programs

Travel and learn around the world

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International Summer Programs

In previous years, our students have traveled abroad to learn about cultures and their impact on political beliefs. Our very own professor, Miguel Glatzer has taught classes in locations such as Bogota, Colombia and Rome, Italy. These two programs are examples of the many international opportunities open to La Salle students. Our programs are designed to give a well-rounded view point of political theory.

Alumni Network
Alumni Network

A family of La Salle Proud Alumni

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Alumni Network

The Political Science Department has helped to nurture some of the most brilliant minds in politics and policy today, boasting notable alumni such as Fulbright Scholar Theresa Glinski, President of the Barra Foundation, Kristina Wahl, Assistant District Attorney, Steve Patton, or Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. As a political science major at La Salle you’ll become a part of a network of well-connected and well-accomplished graduates who are proud to be an Explorer. Our alumni remain in contact with the Department and help and return whenever they can, be it keynotes, lectures, or Department events. Our political science Explorers experience a lifelong connection to other political science majors and the Department wherever they go.

92% of graduates are employed, volunteering full-time through service programs or pursuing additional education full time within one year of graduation.

Ranked in Forbes list of Best Value Colleges in 2019.

83% of faculty hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field.

Listed Top 4% nationally in 10-year earnings by Georgetown's Center for Education and the Workforce.

More Information About This Major

Major Requirements

Course Catalog

Faculty Directory

Scholarship Information

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