Department of Political Science

Studying political science at Denison

The political science major and minor

For a major in political science, you are required to take nine courses (36 credit hours), including:

• At least one course from each of three areas:
• American politics
• Political theory
• Comparative politics/international relations
• Analyzing Politics (methods course)
• A senior seminar.

For a minor in political science, you must take six courses, including:

• At least one course from each of three areas:
• American politics
• Political theory
• Comparative politics/international relations

What do political science majors do after Denison?

Many of our students have gone on to law school, and several have entered master's and Ph.D. programs in political science and related disciplines.

Examples of post-Denison experiences for our political science majors include:

• Samantha Webb '09 was accepted to the OSU MPA program.
• Jennifer Trinkle '08 was accepted to the OSU PhD program
  in Political Science.
• Adam Crowther '07 has been accepted to Duke, American University, and George Washington University for a Masters in Public Policy.
• Sarah Coulam '06 is working for the American Cancer Society and was
  accepted to the Columbia University Fundraising Management program for an MS.
• Anand Sokhey '03 is finishing at his Ph.D at Ohio State University and recently
  got a tenure-track job at the University of  Colorado-Boulder.

Learn more about pre-professional programs, including information on preparation for post-graduate work in law.

Special programs, internships and honors

The Richard G. Lugar Program in Politics and Public Service is named in honor of Senator Richard G. Lugar (R.-Ind.), a Denison alumnus of the class of 1954 and University trustee, whose career as a Rhodes Scholar and public servant is a model of academic excellence and accomplishment for the public good.

Open to students of any major with an interest in American politics, the program places participants in a congressional internship during the academic year or May Term and requires completion of four courses on American political institutions and U.S. foreign policy and participation in a senior year discussion relating their congressional experience to future plans. For more details, contact Professor Andrew Katz.

The Cephus L. Stephens Summer Internship Program permits a junior Political Science major to serve a 10-week internship in an executive or legislative office of the government or in a non-profit organization which deals with public service or public policy issues.

Recent student honors research projects include: "The Criteria for a Successful UN Peacekeeping Operation," by Christine Durkin '08, Jim Pletcher, Project Advisor, and "American Education under the 'Veil of Individualism': Student Identity Formation through the American Dream" by Polly Webster '08, Eric Boehme, Project Advisor.

The department recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding political science junior and senior majors by selecting them as Departmental Fellows or inviting them to become members of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honorary which was established at Denison in 1947.

Who are our professors?

Department Chair and Associate Professor Sue Davis joined the faculty at Denison in 2002. She studied at the University of Minnesota and earned her bachelor's and Master's degrees from University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and her doctorate from Emory University. She teaches courses in the area of comparative politics, including the Politics of Russia, Europe, Ethnic Conflict, Terrorism and Political Violence, along with Research Methods. Dr Davis has published a number of articles and two books on topics in Russia and the former Soviet space. Her current research interests include security issues in the former Soviet republic of Georgia and the politics of oil in Russia.

Assistant Professor Mike Brady joined the faculty at Denison in 2009. He earned a bachelor's degree from Davidson College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke University.  Dr Brady teaches American Political Behavior and Institutions, Politics of Congress, Selecting the President and The American President. His research interests focus on American Politics: political institutions, legislative processes, campaigns, elections and parties. 

Assistant Professor Eric Boehme joined the faculty at Denison in 2005. He earned a B.A. from DePaul University and an M.A. and a Ph.D from Rutgers University. Dr Boehme teaches and does research in political theory, American politics and the law. His research focuses on the political development of citizenship in the United States, race and ethnicity, continental philosophy, social theory, tort law and duty to rescue law. Boehme teaches classes in ancient, modern and contemporary political theory, democratic theory, law and politics, race and politics and American institutions. He also serves as the faculty sponsor for Moot Court.

Assistant Professor Katy Crossley-Frolick joined the faculty at Denison in 2007. She earned her bachelor's degree at North Central College and both a master's and doctorate at Loyola University, Chicago. Dr Crossley-Frolick teaches Introduction to International Politics, Transitions to Democracy, and The United Nations and World Problems. Her research interests focus on democratic transitions, U.S. foreign policy and national security, human rights, and security studies. Crossley-Frolick also serves as the faculty sponsor for the American Model UN.

Associate Professor Paul Djupe joined the faculty at Denison in 1999. He holds a bachelor's degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Washington University, St. Louis. Among the courses he teaches are American Political Behavior and Institutions, Analyzing Politics, Political Organization in the U.S., and American Public Policy. Dr Djupe has published various works in religion and politics. He also serves as the faculty advisor for the Young Democrats club.

Associate Professor Andrew Katz became a member of the faculty in 1993. He earned his bachelor's degree at Brandeis University and a master's and doctorate from Johns Hopkins University. His research addresses the relationship between public opinion and foreign policy. Dr Katz teaches The Conduct of U.S. Foreign Policy, International Security Policy, Introduction to International Politics, Foreign Policy Formulation, The Middle East in World Affairs, America in Vietnam and International Relations Theory. Dr Katz is also Director of the Lugar Program.

 Associate Professor Jim Pletcher has been at Denison since 1983. He earned a bachelor's degree from University of Michigan and master's and doctoral degrees from University of Wisconsin. He focuses on the politics, agriculture and economic development of developing areas such as Africa and Southeast Asia. Dr Pletcher teaches Comparative Politics of Developing Nations, Politics of the Global Environment, Politics of the Third World, Politics of Sub-Saharan Africa and International Political Economy. He also serves as faculty advisor for Hope Initiatives Southern Africa.