Department of Political Science

418 VARNER HALL (248) 370-2352
Fax: (248) 370-4299

Department Website: oakland.edu/polisci/

Chairperson: David A. Dulio

Distinguished professor emeritus: Sheldon Appleton

Professors emeriti: Thomas W. Casstevens, Robert J. Goldstein, Edward J. Heubel, Vincent B. Khapoya, William A. Macauley, Roger H. Marz

Professors: David A. Dulio, John S. Klemanski, Paul J. Kubicek

Associate professors: Diane Hartmus, Roger Larocca, Emmett Lombard, C. Michelle Piskulich, J. Patrick Piskulich, Peter F. Trumbore, Julie Walters, Martha T. Zingo

Assistant professors: Nicole Asmussen, Cristian Cantir, Douglas Carr, Matthew Fails, David Kasdan, Laura Landolt, Terri L. Towner, Byungwon Woo

Adjunct assistant professors: Greg Allar, Alex Allie, George Constance, William Hatley, Michael Switalski, Gary Petroni, Suzanne Rossi, Joe Rozell

Special instructor: Alan David Epstein

Internship directors: Douglas Carr (Public Administration), Julie Walters (Political Science and International Relations)

Political science offers a concentrated and systematic study of politics at all levels of government and in many different cultural and national settings. Policy making, law, political behavior, administration, international politics, foreign governments, and theories and philosophies of government are among the many topics covered in these courses. The general educational aim is to increase students’ awareness and understanding of the broad realm of politics and government. Many students electing a major from the Department of Political Science wish to prepare for careers in government, law, practical politics like campaigning and lobbying, or the teaching of government and social studies. Students earning a degree from the political science department also go on to careers in the non-profit and business sectors and a wide range of graduate programs.

The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in political science is the department’s broadest program and is appropriate for students with an interest in government and politics or students who intend to enter law school or graduate school. The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in international relations is a multidisciplinary major, which is housed in the Department of Political Science, and focuses on global politics, economics, history and philosophy. This major is ideal for students interested in working with a multinational corporation, an international development agency or a government institution such as the Department of State. The department also offers a major in public administration leading to the Bachelor of Science degree. This program is designed to provide appropriate analytical skills and prepare students for direct entry into public service or for specialized graduate programs in public administration and public policy. The Master of Public Administration degree is also offered by the department (see the Oakland University Graduate Catalog). The Master of Public Administration degree is accredited by the Commission of Peer Review and Accreditation and is a member of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA).

Departmental Honors and Scholarships

Departmental honors will be awarded competitively to selected students from among those who have attained an overall grade point average of at least 3.30 and a minimum grade point average of 3.70 for courses in political science. Scholarships are available annually on a competitive basis to qualified department majors.

Requirements for a major in political science with other concentrations

Students in political science may pursue a regular major in political science with a number of interdepartmental concentrations. These include, among others, American studies, applied statistics, human and industrial relations, and criminal justice.

Recommended Courses for Pre-Law Students

It is recommended that political science majors interested in law school elect the law-related courses offered by the department:

PS 241 - Law and Politics

PS 340 - U.S. Constitutional Law

PS 341 - Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

PS 343 - Gender Discrimination and the Supreme Court

. For advice in planning for law school, contact the department’s pre-law adviser, Julie Walters. The student should also consult the Pre-law Studies website, accessible through the department’s webpage, as well as the associated section of this catalog.

Advanced Seminars

From time to time, the department offers advanced seminars in which a topic or problem is studied in depth, and in which significant individual student research is presented for analysis.

PS 474 Seminar in Political Behavior (4)
PS 478 Seminar in Public Law (4)
PS 480 Seminar in Political Theory (4)
PS 482 Seminar in Public Administration: Strategies and Policies (4)
PS 484 Seminar in Public Policy (4)

Additional Information

Students are limited to 8 credits of independent study (

PS 390

PS 490

) in any one semester. Applicants must seek departmental approval at the beginning of the semester prior to that of the internship. Public administration majors are required to complete 4 credits of

PS 458

, but no more than 4 credits of

PS 459

may be counted toward the major in political science or international relations. Permission forms are available in 418 Varner Hall.

Programs & Cores

International Relations, B.A.

Political Science, B.A.

Public Administration and Public Policy, B.S.

International Relations Minor

Political Science Minor

Political Science Secondary Teaching Minor

Public Administration and Public Policy Minor

Course Descriptions

The department offers selected courses from this catalog as warranted by student needs and availability of faculty: Department of Political Science .

Schedule of Classes

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes: sail.oakland.edu.