Political Science Department

Eric Jepsen, Interim Chair
Eric Jepsen, Coordinator of Political Science Undergraduate Studies & Coordinator of POLS Internships
Sandy McKeown, Coordinator of Criminal Justice Studies & Coordinator of CJUS Internships
Timothy J. Schorn, Coordinator of International Studies
Matthew R. Fairholm, Coordinator of Civic Leadership Studies
Julia M. Hellwege, Coordinator of Chiesman Center for Democracy

Sandi Allred, Program Asssistant I
Ilmira P. Dulyanova, Director of Online Graduate Programs

Annie Pierce, Secretary

Dakota Hall, Room 118
(605) 658-6755
polsci@usd.edu
www.usd.edu/polsci/

FACULTY

Professors:

Richard Braunstein, American Institutions; Community Policing; Nonprofit Studies; Civil Rights and Liberties
Matthew R. Fairholm, Public Administration; Leadership Theory and Practice; Constitutional Governance
Eric M. Jepsen, Comparative Politics; Political Economy; Democratization; Latin American Politics; South Asian Politics

Associate Professors:

Ed Gerrish, Public Financial Management; Policy Analysis; Public Performance Management; Meta-analysis
Julia Marin Hellwege, American Political Institutions, Women & Politics, Politics of Inequality
Sandy McKeown, Juvenile Justice; Ethics in Criminal Justice; Writing and Research in Criminal Justice; Mock Trial; Criminal Prosecution and Defense
Thomas Mrozla, Police Accountability; Rural Policing
Timothy J. Schorn, Human Rights; Law of War; Middle Eastern Politics, Genocide

Assistant Professors:

Jenna Borseth, Corrections, Community-based Corrections
April Carrillo, Queer Criminology, Trans Issues in Criminal Justice, Qualitative Methods
Alex Roberts, Public Administration, Public Policy, Science-Government Interaction

Senior Lecturer:

Joshua Houy, Criminal Law; Constitutional Law; Criminal Justice Policy

Emeritus Faculty:

Michael Card, Public and Nonprofit Strategic Management, Program Evaluation, Management, South Dakota Politics
Donald Dahlin, American Politics
Steve Feimer, Environmental Law, Research Methods, Policing Administration, Criminal Profiling
William Richardson, Political Philosophy, Public Administration, American Politics, Leadership & Ethics
Michael P. Roche, Criminal Law; Criminal Procedure; Justice & Compassion

MAJOR:

Criminal Justice, B.A., B.S.
Legal Studies, B.A., B.S.
International Studies, B.A.
Political Science, B.A., B.S.

MINORS:

Civic Leadership Studies
Criminal Justice Studies
International Studies
Legal Studies
Nonprofit Studies
Political Science

The Department of Political Science provides course offerings in a range of publlic service areas, while ensuring excellent opportunities to become acquainted with faculty members and fellow students. Our programs have two primary goals: 1) preparing students for careers in law, politics, government, the criminal justice system, and the mass media, as well as for public-related positions in the private sector; and 2) preparing students for responsible citizenship and informed participation in public affairs.

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION FAST-TRACK PROGRAM

Stuents in Political Science, Criminal Justice, International Studies, or Legal Studies degree programs who are interested in public service careers may appply to the fast-track of the Master of Public Administration program. Students would apply to the USD Graduate School during the spring of their junior year and be admitted to the USD Graduate School contingent on receipt of their undergraduate degree. After completing 90 hours (senior status), students may take 12 graduate hours that will count toward their undergraduate degree and also count toward the NASPAA accredited Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. After receiving their undergraduate degree and making satisfactory progress in the four graduate courses, students would continue to pursue coursework leading to the MPA degree.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Please contact the department for additional information about available scholarships and awards. Also see College of Arts & Sciences for college/school level scholarships.

Alan L. & Mary L. Clem Scholarship
Blair Tremere Political Science
Brian & Kelly Wirt Scholarship/Fellowship
Clarence E. & Sophia F. Fowler Scholarship
Clarence Eide Endowment-Sue Eide Kimball Criminal Justice Scholarship
Clyde Saukerson Honors Program Scholarship
Daniel M.& L’Nora L. Bylander Political Science Scholarship
Dee Jones Noordermeer Memorial Scholarship
Diane Jones Meier Award
Donald D. Fowler Scholarship-Political Science
Dorothy C. Schieffer Scholarship
Dr. Samuel C. & Suzanne L. Patterson Political Science Scholarship
Francis J. Dillon Political Science Award
Frank L. “Jeff” Scott Memorial Scholarship
Fraternal Order of Police Scholarship
Gene Kimmel Award
Gene Mahan Memorial Scholarship in Good Government
George & Bette Glover Scholarship
Hall Scholarship
Heartland Political Sciences Scholarship Fund
Jody M. Endres Scholarship
Joel & Kari Portice Family Political Science Scholarship
Joel Rosenthal Award
John H. Wicks Political Science Scholarship
Larry Pressler Scholarship
Loren M. Carlson Memorial Scholarship
MacDonald Political Science Scholarship
Mary B. Edelen Student Internship Award
Mary Pat Bierle Scholarship
Oneta H. Card Memorial Scholarship
Philip T. Roche Service to Others Award
Robert D. Falk Award
South Dakota Sheriff’s Association Scholarship
Stephen R. & Mary Lynn Myers Scholarship
Thomas J. Whorley Political Science Scholarship
William D. Richardson Scholarship
William J. Janklow Public Service Scholarship
William O. Farber Scholarships
WO Farber Internship & Travel Scholarship

In addition to these specific scholarships/awards, the Farber Fund makes about $140,000 available annually for Political Science, Criminal Justice and International Studies majors to attend conferences, participate in faculty-led programs and departmental trips, complete internships, travel abroad, and carry out research projects. For additional departmental information, see https://www.usd.edu/Academics/Colleges-and-Schools/college-of-arts-sciences/political-science.

Student Learning Outcomes for Criminal Justice Studies (B.A., B.S.)

Criminal Behavior: Students will evaluate and apply theories related to the causes and consequences of criminal behavior.
Core Criminal Justice Institutions: Students will investigate the history and functions of the core criminal justice institutions: law enforcement, corrections, and courts.
Inequality in Criminal Justice: Students will identify and analyze the consequences of inequities within the criminal justice system, including disparities in race, gender, class, ability and sexuality.
Causes of Injustice: Students will identify the manner in which social and economic disadvantage, privilege and systemic discrimination contribute to injustice.
Collection and Analysis of Evidence: Students will demonstrate the ability to systematically collect, analyze and synthesize evidence.
Locate, Assess and Synthesize Scholarship: Students will demonstrate the ability to locate, assess and synthesize scholarly writing.
Work in Teams: Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively interact with other students and to engage in peer and self-assessment.
Problem-Solving: Students will demonstrate the ability to design, evaluate, and implement a strategy to answer an open-ended question or achieve a desired goal.
Ethical Reasoning: Students will assess their own ethical values and apply ethical theory to common dilemmas faced by criminal justice professionals.

Student Learning Outcomes for International Studies (B.A.)

Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk-taking.
Students will be able to demonstrate the cultivation of knowledge, skills, values and motivation that will enable them to make a difference in the civic life of communities and promote the quality of life in a community and engage in activities of personal and public concern that are both individually life enriching and socially beneficial to the community
Students will be able to demonstrate cognitive, effective, and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.
Students will be able to systematically explore issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
Students will connect ideas and experiences in order to synthesize and transfer learning to new, complex situations within and beyond the campus. 
Understand the history, structure, and operation of the international system.
Understand similarities and differences between types of governments of the world, including arguments for and against each type.
Understand the major theories of international relations, and knowledge of the theorists associated with each theory.
Proficiency in a modern foreign language and culture of a non-English-speaking country or region of the world.
Synthesize and integrate concepts and theories to analyze and understand novel problems.
Systematically explore issues, objects or works through the organized, methodical collection and analysis of evidence.
Find, understand, and evaluate primary and secondary sources of information.
Evaluate competing arguments using empirical and logical methods.
Apply findings to new questions, evidence or situations.
Formulate and construct logical and coherent arguments about international and global issues, processes, and policies.
Compose written arguments that are coherent and logical; that develop a clear thesis; and that support the thesis with evidence.
Present ideas and research findings orally, including taking a position for or against political issues and positions.
Participate in cross-cultural experiences and activities at some point during their studies.
Demonstrate continuing engagement with international and global affairs.
Students will demonstrate the ability to evaluate their own value systems, ethics, and morals within the context of international and global affairs, and their professions.
Demonstrate cognitive, affective and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.
Students will have a resume or curriculum vitae that effectively communicates their education, experience and qualifications.
Students will seek career and/or graduate school guidance from their academic advisors and from the Academic and Career Planning Center.

Student Learning Outcomes for Legal Studies (B.A., B.S.)

Effective written communication within a legal context.
Effective oral communication and presentation of complex ideas.
Logical and critical thinking required for the interpretation and application of the law.
Understanding of the history, interdisciplinary context, and application of the law.
Students will use a systematic process of exploring issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
Students will comprehensively explore issues, ideas, artifacts and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion, and combine or synthesize existing ideas, images or expertise in original ways reflecting a high degree of innovation, divergent thinking, and risk-taking.
Students will recognize when there is a need for information and identify, locate, evaluate and effectively and responsibly use and convey that information to address the need or problem at hand.
Students will be able to assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.
Students will intentionally engage with complexity that increases awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathic understanding of the ways individuals interact within systems and institutions leading to opportunities for equal access to participation in educational and community programs for all members of society.

Student Learning Outcomes for Political Science (B.A., B.S.)

Understanding institutions, actors, processes, behaviors and ideas in the United States and other important countries of the world.
Knowledge of the most important forms of government, with arguments for and against them.
Understand how institutions emerge, operate and interact with the social world.
Think systematically about political interactions at the local, state, national, international and global level.
Evaluate alternative political ideas.
Differentiate between normative and empirical theories and arguments.
Synthesize and integrate concepts and theories to analyze and understand novel problems.
Understand and explain the different levels of analysis in which politics takes place (individual, state, international system) and interactions across levels.
Systematically explore issues, objects or works through the organized, methodical collection and analysis of evidence.
Find, understand, and evaluate primary and secondary sources of information.
Evaluate competing arguments using empirical and logical methods.
Apply findings to new questions, evidence or situations.
Understand the foundations and justification for claims of knowledge, and conversely the foundations for rejection of some claims.
Formulate and construct logical and coherent arguments about political phenomena and behavior.
Compose written arguments that are coherent and logical; that develop a clear thesis; and that support the thesis with evidence.
Present ideas and research findings orally, including taking a position for or against political issues and positions.
Demonstrate continuing engagement with current affairs, and with the campus, local, state and national communities.
Students will assess their own ethical values and the social context of problems, recognize ethical issues in a variety of settings, think about how different ethical perspectives might be applied to ethical dilemmas, and consider the ramifications of alternative actions.
Students will evaluate their obligations to fellow citizens.
Demonstrate cognitive, affective and behavioral skills and characteristics that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.
Participate in cross-cultural experiences and activities at some point during their studies.
Gain basic factual information and develop theoretical understanding within an area of specialization: state and local government, American politics, comparative politics, or international relations.
Explore systematically issues, objects or works through the collection and analysis of evidence that results in informed conclusions or judgments, and break down complex topics or issues into parts to gain a better understanding of them.
Demonstrate cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills that support effective and appropriate interaction in a variety of cultural contexts.
Recognize when there is a need for information and identify, locate, evaluate and effectively and responsibly use and convey that information to address the need or problem at hand.
Demonstrate the cultivation of knowledge, skills, values and motivation that will enable them to make a difference in the civic life of communities, promote the quality of life in a community, and engage in activities of personal and public concern that are both individually life-enriching and socially beneficial to the community.