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University of Southern California
University of Southern California
Political Science

Welcome to the
Department of Political Science

Our faculty are national leaders in their fields of expertise; they are also among USC's most distinguished teachers and mentors.  We cover such traditional areas of study as American Politics, Comparative Politics, Law and Public Policy, Political Theory, and International Relations, but our faculty also have expertise in exciting new areas such as Human Rights, Race/Ethnic Politics, Urban Politics, Political Communication, Civic Engagement, Political Behavior/Psychology, and Environmental Politics.

Political Science attracts students who have a wide range of intellectual interests-including philosophy, law, economics, history, culture, psychology, regional studies-but who also have an abiding desire to better understand the vital questions associated with politics and government, including the conditions that promote (or inhibit) democracy, freedom, justice, human rights, effective policymaking, and public service.  Students in our program learn that the study of politics can be rigorous and systematic rather than merely ideological.  They master classic works and engage contemporary questions in an academic setting that is lively and intellectually diverse.  For undergraduates a degree in Political Science ensures all of the benefits of a great liberal arts education (including the development of essential analytic and expressive skills) but also provides an excellent background for graduate study and careers in politics, law, administration, and business.

Our main office is located in the Von KleinSmid Center building "VKC" -- a modern campus landmark that houses administrative and faculty offices, the POSC/IR computer classroom, lecture halls, seminar rooms, and a specialized library devoted to the social sciences.

Please look around to learn more about the wonderful people and exciting programs in our department. If you have questions you can email us or call our main office at 213-740-6998.


We are sad to announce that Professor Herbert Alexander, Distinguished ProfessorEmeritus, died of cancer in Rockville, Md., on April 3. He was 80.

We are also sad to announce that Professor Harlan Hahn passed away on April 23.

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Thanks to a pledge of $3 million from USC trustee, philanthropist and community activist Carmen Warschaw '39, a new endowed chair will be established in the political science department of USC College.  The new Carmen H. and Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics aims to inspire students to become more civically active.

EVENTS 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS 

Ricardo Ramirez is featured in the Spring 2008 edition of the USC College Magazine.  The article, Against the Grain: A young political scientis breaks ground studying the immigrant vote, highlights Professor Ramirez's many achievements.

Ange-Marie Hancock, who will begin teaching this fall, has received tenure.  Please join us in congratulating Ange-Marie and welcoming her to the department!

I have excellent news to share--Jeb Barnes has been awarded tenure.  Please join me in extending our heartiest congratulations for a job well done to Associate Professor Barnes!  -- Ann N. Crigler, Chair

Jefferey Sellers has been awarded one of the grants from the Advancing Scholarship in the Humanities and Social Sciences Initiative.  His project is entitled "Governance and Metropolitan Inequality: A Global Analysis."  Congratulations Jeff on a well deserved recognition of your excellent research!

Congratulations to Jasmine Hernandez and Tiffany Ward who have been accepted into The Milennium Momentum Foundation, Inc. Best & the Brightest Scholarship Program for 2007-2008.  ABD Graduate Student

Seda Unsar has been granted a highly selective postdoctorate visiting fellowship at the London School of Economics. Many congratulations to Seda!

Assistant Professor Apichai Shipper and Guest Lecturer Anthony Kammas have received the Department's Outstanding Teaching Award for 2007.

Graduate Student Jessie Mills has received the Department's Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award for 2007.

Diverse Issues in Higher Education has selected Professor Ricardo Ramirez as one of the Emerging Scholars: The Class of 2008 among under-40 intellectuals.

Apichai Shipper has been awarded a highly prestigious Social Science Research Council Abe Fellowship.  He will be funded for 12 months to conduct his comparative study of Japan, Sweden and the United States.  Many congratulations again to Apichai!  In addition, congratulations to Professor Shipper on his recently accepted book manuscript. The book, Foreigners and Democracy in Contemporary Japan, will be published soon by Cornell University Press.

Alum Salutes Professor With Scholarship - Two political science majors are selected as recipients of the first Lesher Family Scholarship established in the honor of professor Alison Dundes Renteln. (Details)

Every year The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi awards sixty Fellowships to members entering their first year of graduate or professional study.  Colin Koproske, 2007 Valedictorian and Political Science major, received on of those prestigious fellowships.  Congratulations Colin!

Jeb Barnes was formally recognized for outstanding teaching by the American Political Science Association (APSA) and Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, at a ceremony during APSA’s Annual Meeting in Chicago summer 2007.

Professor Ann Crigler's new book, The Affect Effect: Dynamics of Emotion in Political Thinking and Behavior has been published. 

On behalf of President Steven B. Sample, Provost C.L. Max Nikias has announced the appoint of USC professor Howard Gillman as dean of USC College!  (Details.)

Many congratulations to Professors Ann Crigler, Olu Orange and Ricardo Ramirez who have been honored with 2007 USC-Mellon Awards for Excellence in Mentoring.  The award is given by the Center for Ecellence in Teaching and supported by a grant from the Mellon Foundation.  Our department is very fortunate to have many outstanding teachers and mentors and it is most fitting that they are honored in this way. (Details.)

Political Science major Colin Koproske has been named USC valedictorian for 2007. (Details)

Professor Eliz Sanasarian has been named the 2007 winner of the Sedigheh Dovlatabadi Book Award for the Persian translation of her book, The Women's Rights Movement in Iran: Mutiny, Apeasement, and Repression.  (Details)

Professor Richard Dekmejian's new book titled  Spectrum of Terror  has been published. 

The Second Revised Edition of International Law and U.S. Foreign Policy, written by Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Political Science Carl Q. Christol has been published. 

Professors Nora Hamilton and Norma Chincilla were honored at the First Annual ¡Adelante! Award, Wednesday, March 14, 2007, USC, Town & Gown.  Professor Hamilton was Regional Coordinator of the Faculty Committee for Human Rights in El  Salvador/Central America.

USC Mock Trial Team Sweeps Regional Competition!  Students from USC’s Mock Trial Team recently won first, second, third and fifth places and were named tournament champions at the American Mock Trial Association’s Great Western Regional Tournament held Feb. 17–18, 2007 in Los Angeles at USC.

The 2007 Sacramento Legislative Seminar - The Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics invites students to participate in the 2007 Sacramento Legislative Seminar to be held Sunday, February 25, through Tuesday, February 27.  For details contact the Unruh Institute.

Colin Koproske, a multifaceted senior majoring in political science and music performance, has been named a 2007 Marshall Scholar (details).

Congratulations to Hovann Simonian (PhD candidate).  His book titled The Hemshin: History, Society and Identity in the Highlands of Northeast Turkey  was published by Routledge Taylor & Francis Group in December 2006.  (Details.)

Professor Jeb Barnes has won the 2006 Raubenheimer Junior Faculty Award.  Jeb received the award at the College Holiday Reception on December 5. 

We are thrilled to announce that Janelle Wong's tenure has sailed through the university and been signed by the Provost.  Congratulations to Associate Professor Janelle Wong!  This is another piece of excellent news for the department.  Let us wish her a long, happy, and productive career at USC.

Professor Ann Crigler is the first recipient of the David Swanson Award for Contributions to Political Communication Scholarship.  The Department applauds her for this recognition by the discipline.

Congratulations to Veronica Pete!! Veronica received the 2006 President's Award for Staff Achievement. Please join the faculty, staff, and students of Political Science, and her family and friends in saying Cheers to her for this recognition of her "exceptional service, superb administrative skills, and dedication . . ." to the Department of Political Science and the University of Southern California.

 

 


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