The political science department introduces students to the basic theoretical and philosophical tenets of politics; to provide the opportunities to gain practical research experience using contemporary techniques of political analysis (both through quantitative and qualitative methods); to help the students gain a better perspective of the political systems in the US and throughout the world; and to provide background training for such professional fields as law, policy research, teaching, journalism, management, and government service.
The political science program provides students with an understanding of the great issues of politics in a rapidly changing international environment. Employing historical, comparative, philosophical, legal, and experiential approaches to the study of politics, the department places heavy emphasis on student mastery of factual information, critical thinking skills, and effective writing and speaking skills. Within the department students can choose between a Political Science and an International Relations major/minor.
Opportunities in Political Science
Austin College is well-qualified to aid pre-law students in preparing for their future occupation. Each year many Austin College graduates are admitted to a number of the better law schools in the nation. The College believes that a thorough liberal arts education is the best foundation for students to attain both their personal and professional goals, and law schools have responded favorably to this concept. As such, we do not offer a pre-law degree. 
Model United Nations (MUN) is offered as a course once a year by the Political Science department. Within the course, students will examine the country Austin College is representing that year, as well as discuss the nature, problems, and goals of the United Nations. Read more about 
The Social Entrepreneurship for Poverty Alleviation (SEPA) program provides a service-learning experience in which students spend a summer writing grants with local non-profit agencies. Read more about the 
The Washington Semester Program allows students to spend a semester taking coursework at American University, completing a research project, and engaging in an intensive internship experience in Washington D.C. Read more about the 
The political science department has a history of faculty working closely with students on research. In addition to the research methods and design courses offered by the department, professors work with selected students on Honors Theses their senior year. Read more about 
Political Science students who meet a variety of academic requirements are invited to join the Chi Chi chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. The Chi Chi chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha received its charter at Austin College in 1999. Read more about 
The Hatton W. Sumners Foundation was established in 1949 for the study and teaching of the science of self-government. The trustees of the Hatton W. Sumners Foundation seek young men and women who are civically engaged and possess a capacity for leadership. Read more about 
Students are able to take advantage of international JanTerm opportunities, which the political science department has a history of faculty planning and leading. These courses focus on comparative analyses of political institutions within and across states. Read more about 
A sample of the things you will learn:
- The purpose of government
- The power and dangers of nationalism
- Why revolutions occur
- The balance of freedom and equality
- The causes of war
- How campaigns and elections function
- Theories concerning the structure of international politics
- How our identities (racial, gender, class, etc.) influence political institutions
- Types of political institutions in the US and around the World
- Political rights
- How justice can be structured within a society
Current Students
"The Political Science department is teaching me how to engage the world outside of academia while employing the skills I have learned within it."
"The Austin College Political Science Department has provided me with not only a better understanding of global politics, but has encouraged me to explore and think critically about political issues."
"Model UN is a class where you have the opportunity to meet people from all over the world, and a class that helps develop efficient writing and speaking skills."
"Through the Austin College’s Political Science Department and its knowledgeable professors, I was able to attend American University in Washington, D.C. to see what it was like to work on The Hill."
"Through the debating of interesting topics in this course, I learned to love political science. Its diversity of ideas, studies of different political cultures, and complex discussions excited me."
What kind of jobs do Political Science majors pursue?
The Washington Post, Washington D.C. | October 27, 2017
Lydia Bean '02, executive director of Faith in Texas and author of "The Politics of Evangelic Identity," writes about how voters are learning to make their faith suit their partisanship.
Faculty and Their Teaching & Research Interests
Dr. Nathan Bigelow - Professor of Political Science; Political Science Department Chair
Teaching and Research Interests: American government with a focus on institutions including Congress, the Presidency, and State and local government, campaigns and elections, public policy, and quantitative methods.
“My favorite part of working at Austin College is the ability to truly know and be able to work with enthusiastic students.”
Dr. Audrey Flemming - Assistant Professor of Political Science
Teaching and Research Interests: Democratic Studies, Cuban Film and Politics, Identity Politics, Social Movements, Latin American Politics, Model United Nations, Politics of Empire, European Union, Political Theory, Spanish Politics, Introduction to International Relations and Comparative Politics
“As a first-generation graduate of a small liberal arts college, I really valued the opportunity to get to know and work closely with my professors. Since that experience, I knew that I wanted to teach at a similar institution. Getting the chance to work at Austin College has fulfilled that dream and allowed me the chance to be on the other side of that relationship---supporting & working with incredible students and amazing colleagues.”
Ruchan Kaya - Assistant Professor of Political Science
Teaching and Research Interests: Democratization, regime change, qualities of elections, natural resource politics with a focus on Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia, as well as political economy and research methodology.
“Diversity, the community, my colleagues, and the wonderful students are the reasons why I am working at Austin College.”
Dr. Frank Rohmer - Associate 
Professor of Political Science; The John D. Moseley Chair in Government and Public Policy
Teaching and Research Interests: Political theory (especially the contrasts and continuities of ancient, medieval, and modern western political theory, with Plato, Montesquieu, and the American founders being the greatest interests), American constitutional law (focus on the jurisprudence of Marshall and Taney in the first half of the 19th century and that of Holmes and Cardozo in the late 19th and early 20th centuries), and public administration (with extra attention paid to understanding how public law and political culture—how distinctive publics—modify administration).
“Austin College has provided me in the course of my 30-year career a community of faculty, students, and alumni boldly but politely engaged in a dialogue about the great issues of human life. For me in a professional and personal sense, the Austin College community includes not only our current faculty and students but also our emeriti faculty, our alumni, and professional and governmental leaders in Texas and beyond. Within this supportive and highly personal community my faculty colleagues and I are supported in our professional commitment to teaching and advising each student as an individual to help that student understand the place of political science and international relations within a broader liberal arts education and to help that student find not just a job but a vocation in life.”
Successful Alumni
Did you graduate from Austin College with a degree in Political Science or International Relations? Let us know what you've been doing by filling out the Alumni Information Update form.
Skills Generated within Our Program
- Analytic
- Quantitative research methods (able to analyze others’ data and methods as well as able to employ one’s own)
- Qualitative research methods (able to analyze others’ data and methods as well as able to employ one’s own)
- Constructing and writing a research design
- Grant writing skills
- Public speaking
- Historical analysis
- Writing
- Facilitating discussion and cooperation between different institutions