Susquehanna University Department of Political Science

Complementary Programs
The Department strongly encourages its majors to complement the political science degree with focused coursework in other areas and to consider off-campus programs and experiences. The Department recommends that all students complement the major with a minor, either in an appropriate field such as economics, sociology, history or business or in an interdisciplinary minor such as legal studies.

Additionally, students are encouraged to consider participating in an off-campus program and/or internship sometime after completion of their sophomore year.

Off-Campus Programs

1.) Semester Programs
Following their sophomore year, qualified political science majors are encouraged to broaden their experience with one or more semesters at an approved off-campus program in the United States or abroad.

Washington Semester Program
American University’s Washington Semester is a cooperative program which permits students to spend one academic semester in residence at the American University in Washington, D.C. The Washington Semester program offers a variety of specialized emphases: American politics, public law, justice, foreign policy, journalism, peace and conflict resolution, international business and trade, economic policy, international environment and development, IT and telecom policy, transforming communities, and gender and politics.

Students earn 16 semester hours in the program, which consists of an eight-credit seminar, a four-credit internship, and four additional credits from either an individual research project or one additional course at the American University. (Note: All credits count toward SU graduation requirements, but only of the two internship credits can be counted toward the political science major. All credits are at the 500 level, and grades earned in the program are calculated into the student's Susquehanna GPA). Accompanying the academic program are special events such as lectures, conferences, and cultural attractions. A 12 credit summer program is also offered.

Students must have either junior or senior standing during the semester, have satisfactorily completed appropriate course work, have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, and have demonstrated skills in research techniques. Interested students should visit the Washington Semester Program Web site and contact Dr. Andrea Lopez, Department of Political Science.

Lutheran College Consortium Semester in Washington
Susquehanna University is a member of the Lutheran College Consortium, agroup of 13 Lutheran colleges that sponsor and support a spring semester program in Washington, D.C. During the semester students take a seminar entitled "Ethical Issues and Public Affairs" as well as a special topics seminar that varies from year to year. Students also undertake 30-hour-a-week internships, which they arrange in consultation with their advisors. Students earn 16 credits for this program. While all of these credits count toward SU graduation requirements, only two of the internship credits can be used toward the internship major. An eight-credit summer program is also available. Interested students should speak with their departmental advisor or contact Dr. Michele DeMary, Internship Coordinator, Department of Political Science, and Dr. Thomas Walker in the Sociology Department who is the campus coordinator for the Lutheran Consortium.

Other Off-Campus Programs
A variety of other semester or summer programs are available to Susquehanna students. These are located both in the United States and abroad. Programs include the SU Study Abroad program, which places students in a variety of foreign countries, and domestic programs including the United Nations Semester in New York. For more information about the Study Abroad program, contact Dr. Scott Manning, director of international study programs, and for more information about the United Nations Semester, contact Dr. Andrea Lopez, Department of Political Science. Information about other programs is available through your department advisor or in the Susquehanna University catalog.

2.) Political Science Internships
Along with off-campus study, the Department also strongly encourages experiential learning through internships. While many off-campus programs include internships as a part of their program, interested students can also participate in internships during the course of their studies at Susquehanna.

In consultation with their advisor, students are primarily responsible for arranging their own internships. A 3.0 GPA is necessary, unless specifically waived. Students planning an internship must complete and submit a “Student Learning Contract” to the Office of Career Services and the Political Science Department prior to the end of the academic semester preceding the internship. Internships are generally for either two or four credits. Only two internship credits are applicable to the credits required for the political science major, and no student may receive more than eight hours of internship credit. For more information see the complete list of Department Internship Guidelines and meet with Dr. Michele DeMary, the Political Science Department’s Internship Coordinator.

3.) Student Organizations
Recognizing that important growth and development occurs outside of the formal academic setting, the Department encourages students to broaden their college experience by becoming involved in student organizations. These organizations foster development of leadership and other important skills, and provide an outlet for service to the department, the university, and beyond.

Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political science honorary society. Membership is by invitation, and is open to Junior and Senior majors and non-majors who have completed 16 semester hours in political science with grades of B or better, with at least four semester hours at the 300 level or above, who have a 3.0 GPA in political science courses and rank in the top third of their class. See Dr. DeMary for information.

Politics Club
The Politics Club is an organization which seeks to promote interest in and understanding of politics and political issues. It is open to all students, and sponsors activities like field trips, lectures, movies and speakers. During the fall semester of the 2007-2008 Academic Year, please see Dr. DeMary for more details.

Pre-Law Society
The Pre-Law society is an organization designed to encourage interest in the law and a legal career. It is open to all majors, and sponsors a number of law-related activities during the course of a year. See Dr. DeMary, the university Pre-Law Advisor, for information.