Our Mission

To educate and train undergraduate and graduate students in an environment conducive to intellectual growth so as to advance their levels of knowledge of the discipline of political science, develop sophisticated political awareness, and facilitate their political action.

To conduct basic and applied research in order to advance the state of knowledge in the discipline of political science and to improve the quality of government and civic involvement at all levels.

The Department of Political Science represents a diversity of academic interest, political involvement, and professional experiences.  Our scholarly interests are wide-ranging:  from the study of East Asia to tribal governments; from environmental policy to the politics of immigration.  The Department's faculty includes members who are involved in political parties, campaigns and elections as well as in interest group politics which is especially important in Michigan.  The faculty also has breadth of professional experience, including positions such as Foreign Service Office, U.S. Senate staffer, National Park Service Policy Analyst, City Human Resources Director, and County Budget Analyst. 

University Vision Statement