Political Science Department

William D. Richardson, Chair
Mary Pat Bierle, Director of Internships
Timothy Schorn, Director of International Studies
Roxi Miller, Business Manager
Dakota Hall, Room 101
(605) 677-5242
Roxi.Miller@usd.edu
http://www.usd.edu/polsci/

FACULTY:

Professors:

Richard Braunstein, American Politics, Initiative and Referendum Process, Civil Rights & Liberties
Matthew Moen, American Politics, Congress
William Richardson, Political Philosophy, Public Administration, American Politics, Leadership & Ethics
Michael Roche, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Justice & Compassion

Associate Professors:

Michael Card, Public Administration, Leadership, Public Organizational Theory
Matthew R. Fairholm, Public Administration, Leadership Theory and Practice, American Government
Steven Feimer, Environmental Law, Research Methods, Policing Administration, Crime Mapping, White Collar Crime, Geographical Information Systems
Lila Rucker, Domestic Violence, Drugs and Gangs, Nonviolence and Conflict Resolution
Timothy Schorn, International Relations, Human Rights, Middle Eastern Politics
Elizabeth T. Smith, American Politics, Public Administration, Leadership

Assistant Professors:

William Anderson, American Political Institutions, Research Methods, Biology and Politics
Eric M. Jepsen, Political Economy, Globalization, Latin American Politics, Politics of India
Sandy McKeown, Juvenile Justice, Ethics in Criminal Justice
Anthony Molina, Public Administration, Political Theory, American Government
Chad Newswander, Power and Politics, Domestic Security Issues, Presidential Protection, Crisis Communication, and Constitutional Governance
Shane Nordyke, American Presidency, Public Policy, Policy Analysis, Research Methods, and Intergovernmental Relations
Jamison Rounds, State and Local Government, Political Campaigns, Rural Economic Development, International Relations, Nonprofit Management
Robert Swan, Criminology, Corrections in the Media and Pop Culture, Criminal Justice Administration, Corrections, Public Administration and Policy

Instructor:

Mary Pat Bierle, American Politics, Congress, Politics & the Media

MAJOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE, B.A., B.S.
MINOR: POLITICAL SCIENCE

The Department of Political Science is large enough to provide a diversity of course offerings and viewpoints, but small enough to provide excellent opportunities to become acquainted with faculty members and fellow students. The political science major has two primary goals: 1) preparing students for careers in law, politics, government, and the mass media, as well as for public-related positions in the private sector; and 2) preparing students for responsible citizenship, intelligent voting, and informed participation in public affairs.

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FAST-TRACK PROGRAM

During the second semester of their junior year, up to six (6) high-achieving students interested in public service careers who have completed a course in either State & Local Government or Public Administration may be invited to participate in a special M.P.A. fast-track program. These students would be eligible to take up to nine (9) hours of selected core courses in the M.P.A. program during their senior year that would count for both their undergraduate B.A. or B.S. as well as for the nationally accredited M.P.A. offered by the Department of Political Science. Assuming satisfactory performance, these fast-track students would be guaranteed admission into the M.P.A. program and receive full credit for the core graduate courses they took as seniors.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Farber Fund Scholarships (available to incoming first-year students and sophomores)

Donald W. Beaty Award (awarded to a self-supporting major, resident of South Dakota, with special interests in the State of South Dakota)

Philo Sherman Bennett Award (given for best essay about the principles of free government)

Daniel Bylander Awards (available to junior or senior political science majors with a 3.0 or better GPA who graduated from a South Dakota high school)

Carlson Local Government Award (given to a junior or senior who has taken, and demonstrated an interest, in South Dakota Politics or State and Local Politics)

Comparative Politics Award (awarded to a student with interest/ability in comparative politics)

Dillon Senior Achievement Award (awarded to an outstanding senior political science major based on overall performance and potential)

Mary Edelen Internship Award (given to an outstanding intern working with our political system)

Farber Fund Writing Awards (available to seniors for outstanding papers of at least 20 pages)

Donald D. Fowler Scholarship (given to a sophomore or junior political science major based on scholarship, leadership, and a commitment to international public service)

Clarence & Sophia Fowler Award (awarded to a junior or senior political science major who demonstrates superior scholarship and civic leadership potential)

Robert Falk Award (available to a sophomore or junior S.D. resident with an interest in state and local politics and with leadership potential)

Harrington Book Award (available to a major with an interest in political theory)

Gene Kimmel Award (awarded to an undergraduate major with effective communication skills)

The Edward J. Leahy Scholarship (Annual scholarship given to Political Science major (senior) with 3.3+ GPA who is an athlete)

Diane Jones Meier Award (given to an outstanding female major in the department)

Stephen & Mary Lynn Myers Scholarship (Awarded to a major for outstanding academic achievement and leadership/involvement in student activities)

Pat O’Brien Student Athlete Award (awarded to a junior or senior major who participates in intercollegiate athletics)

Philip Roche Service Award (for a Criminal Justice/Political Science major who has displayed a sense of community service and a desire to help others and a commitment to such service)

Clyde Saukerson Honors Program Scholarship (given to a sophomore major in the Honors Program with a 3.5 or better GPA)

Dorothy C. Schieffer Scholarship (four-year tuition, fees, books, room & board awarded to exceptional first-year student; preference for non-traditional student)South Dakota Municipal League Award (awarded to a sophomore or junior with an aptitude for, and interest in, local government)

Blair Tremere Scholarships (available to undergraduates who show promise and responsibility as well as an interest in public service)

In addition to these specific scholarships/awards, the Farber Fund makes about $100,000 available annually for Political Science, Criminal Justice, and International Studies majors to attend conferences, participate in study tours and departmental trips, complete internships, travel abroad, and carry out research projects. For additional departmental information, see http://www.usd.edu/polsci and http://www.usd.edu/farbfund.