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| Political Science Extras |
One of the distinctive features of political science at Stetson is the opportunity for learning beyond the classroom. Whether it's watching Russian television news live from Moscow or participating in a January visit to Washington or New York, students are brought into regular and intensive contact with the world of politics. Below is a list of related programs that supplement the political science curriculum at Stetson.
Pi Sigma Alpha/Political Forum
 Students who have a grade point average of 3.0 in their major and 2.8 overall are eligible for membership in the honorary fraternity of political science, Pi Sigma Alpha. Pi Sigma Alpha sponsors the Political Forum, a monthly luncheon that features political leaders and university faculty from the region. Speakers provide insight into practical politics through discussion of their personal experience in public affairs. The Political Forum offers an excellent opportunity for students and faculty to interact outside the classroom.
International Symposium
Each year Stetson invites distinguished scholars to campus for an intensive two-day symposium on international affairs. Stetson students encounter these scholars in lectures, panel discussions, and classroom visits. During the last three years, the symposia have focused on the Middle East, the Gorbachev Revolution and World Politics, and the Transition toward Democracy in South Africa.
Model Senate
 The Model United States Senate began at Stetson University in 1971. Initiated by a student interested in "role-playing" the Senate, the program has developed into a three-day event that draws students from several universities in the eastern United States. Offered each spring, the program includes committee hearings, where students introduce bills which they have researched, and Senate sessions, where the bills passed in committee are presented to the full Senate.
Political Internships
 Stetson has a long-standing tradition of placing its students in rewarding off-campus internships in local government. These internships, arranged by Dr. Bailey, give students an intimate knowledge of the policies and processes of government in Florida. Stetson students have worked as summer and semester interns.
Visits to Tallahassee, Washington, and New York
 Study trips to Tallahassee, Washington, and New York have long been an integral part of the Stetson curriculum in political science. Students in Political Science 102, American State and Local Government, spent several days in Florida's capital meeting with leading officials in the three branches of state government. In 1992, the Stetson group was received by Governor Chiles, justices ofthe Supreme Court, and leading officials in the legislature and in the executive agencies.
Semester Study Away: Washington, Nottingham, Dijon, Freiburg, Madrid, Mexico, and Moscow
 Students interested in intensive study in political science "on location" may choose from a number of programs. Stetson is fortunate to have direct exchange programs with Nottingham in England, the University of Dijon in France, the University of Madrid in Spain, the Paedagogische Hochschule in Freiburg, Germany, the Universidad de Guanajuato in Guanajuato, Mexico, and Moscow State University in Russia. Except for the program in Nottingham, students will need at least two years of relevant language before departure. Information and application materials for these programs may be obtained in the office of International programs. Stetson students wishing to spend a semester in Washington, DC will be eligible forthe American University exchange program.
Latin America Studies
 Latin American Studies at Stetson University is a broad program that encourages students to learn more about the importance of Latin American social, cultural, political, and economic systems. The major is particularly valuable for students planning to live and work in Florida or other states with strong Hispanic ties. Off-campus programs in Latin America are available to our students; recent university trips have included study and internship opportunities in Guatemala, Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Ecuador, andPuerto Rico. The Latin American Studies Program recently entered into a partnership with the Union of Iberoamerican Municipalities (UIM), which will open the door to a growing number of internship opportunities for Stetson students in Latin America and Spain.
The Alliance for International Reforestation
 The Alliance for International Reforestation, Inc. or AIR, is a non-profit organization working to reforest areas of Guatemala and Nicaragua. AIR is housed on the campus of Stetson University, where Dr. Anne Hallum, AIR's founder, is U.S. Board Director. A grant from Stetson University Board Chairman, Dr. David Rinker, allows two student interns to work with AIR for five weeks during the summer.
Independent Learning
 Students are encouraged to enhance their formal study of political science by following political developments in the media. One cannot read, listen to, or watch everything, but regular exposure to informative and challenging articles and programs will broaden and deepen the education in politics received in the classroom. During term, students are able to subscribe to the daily New York Times for a considerably reduced rate. There are also newsweeklies, such as the Economist for serious students of international and comparative politics, available in the Library or by subscription. Likewise, one should be aware of the excellent news programs, including C-Span, with its live coverage of congressional hearings and debates. Students should not underestimatethe cumulative effect of daily doses of information on their understanding of the political world. |
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Stetson University
Political Science | Unit 8301
421 North Woodland Boulevard
DeLand, Florida 32723
Email Address : wnylen@stetson.edu
Phone Number : 386.822.7570
Fax Number : 386.822.7569
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