Political Science

Internships
Most of these positions are within governmental organizations, such as, city, county, or state offices, the state legislature, city or state agencies. In the past few years, a number of opportunities have been created within the Zanesville (OH) city government structure, and similar positions are in the works for the city of Cambridge. Other opportunities include political campaign organizations and political party organizations. Some are held in the private sector, such as labor unions, the state and national bar associations, and businesses, where interns will work at the interface of the organization and the political world.

Research
Political Science majors are able to work collaboratively in various research capacities with faculty. For example, Dr. Walter Huber has taken students to professional conferences in Boston, Atlanta, and New Orleans.  Fifteen Muskingum students were published last year as Political Science undergraduates in professional works.  The department has also participated in the Muskingum Summer Fellows program for the past four years.  Last summer, two students worked with Dr. Huber and Dr. Van Horn (Geology), putting together an interactive GIS map of the Cambridge (OH) Downtown that will be hosted by the city on the internet.  

Honoraries
Pi Sigma Alpha is the political science honorary promoting scholarship in political science.  PSA's goal is to provide the entire campus community with a framework within which to study government and public policy issues.  This goal is achieved by hosting speakers, and fostering scholarly interaction between faculty and students, and promoting community service.

Professional Activities
Students attend professional conferences with faculty and have coauthored papers with them at the Ohio Economics and Political Science Conference, American Political Science Association’s Annual Meeting and the Southern Political Science Association’s Annual Meeting.

Washington Semester
Through a cooperative agreement with American University, selected students may spend one semester in Washington, D.C. studying the American governmental system in action. Assignments may include the State Department, lobbying groups, or Capitol Hill. Study is carried out through a seminar, an individual research project, and regular courses at American University.

Model United Nations
Students and faculty attend the American Model United Nations Conference every November. At the three-day conference this past fall, the students participated in a wide range of activities that closely model the operation of the United Nations itself. Simulated sessions included the Security Council, an Historical Security Council (1993) and General Assembly Plenary sessions on subjects including disarmament and international security, economic and financial affairs, social, humanitarian and cultural issues and legal affairs.

 

After Graduation
Career Possibilities for Political Science Majors
Government
Law
Politics
Journalism
Business
Education

Graduate Programs
Recent Political Science graduates have also enrolled in the following graduate schools:
Miami University
Ohio University
Cleveland State University
Syracuse University
Case Western
Princeton