Studying political science at Denison

Denison's Department of Political Science faculty members' interests and expertise cover the core of the discipline of political science.

We offer a wide variety of courses ranging from political philosophy to African politics and American politics.

Our students' career interests are similarly wide, ranging from careers in law and public service to international business.

Denison's Department of Political Science also offers coursework toward majors, programs and concentrations in interdisciplinary areas such as the Lugar Program, Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Black Studies, and Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

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

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: "When Democratic Ideals Breakdown: Media Management in Wartime," by Lauren Brown '10, Andrew Katz, Project Advisor, and "Recognition as Intervention in Civil Conflict" by Leslie Marshall '10, Katy Crossley-Frolick, 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 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.
• Assistant Professor Gladys Mitchell-Walthour joined the faculty at Denison in 2011. She earned her B.A. from Duke University and an MPP from the University of Michigan. She earned an M.A. and Ph. from the University of Chicago. She served as postdoctoral fellows at Duke University and Johns Hopkins University. Her research focuses on Afro-Brazilian racial identification and political behavior. Dr. Mitchell-Walthour teaches Introduction to Politics of Developing Nations, Latin American Politics, Comparative Racial Politics, Afro-Brazilian Gender and Racial Politics, and Black Political Thought.
•  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.

For more information about the depart and curriculm, go to the:

Department of Political Science

or contact:

Dr Sue Davis, Chair

Department of Politcal Science

Blair Knapp Hall, Room 304

Denison University

Granville OH 43023

Phone:    740.587.6500

Fax:        740.587.6601

Email:    davissf@denison.edu