Political Science

The Center of Public Affairs and Election Research was launched on January 1, 2017 by the Department of Political Science at Utica College. The Center seeks to serve citizens, students, journalists, and scholars by providing research, commentary, and analyses of state, national, and international politics. We do this through our website, which provides free content designed for a general audience. Our team of over 50 contributors includes Political Scientists from around the country and throughout the world for an audience spanning more than 160 countries. The Center publishes articles on a wide range of topics from U.S. elections, to international security, China’s rising, and much more.

CENTER OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND ELECTION RESEARCH

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The James Sherman Society is a non-partisan, student organization focused on politics and current affairs. The goal of this organization is to provide an opportunity for all students interested in political science to discuss issues.

Events under the auspices of the James Sherman Society:

• Pizza and Politics: Through Pizza and Politics, the James Sherman Society invites guest speakers to discuss political issues and current affairs. Speakers range from UC faculty and professors from other universities to professionals working in the field such as lawyers, public officials, and diplomats. This event is open to all students to attend. Pizza and Politics talks occur during the fall and spring semesters.
• Northeastern Political Science Association: This is an annual trip open to students of all majors who are interested in politics. This is an opportunity for students to attend panels where academics present their research. As the Northeastern Political Science Association is often hosted in cities with high levels of cultural value in the U.S. such as Boston, New York City, or Philadelphia, students will also have an opportunity to tour these cities and learn more about the history of the U.S. This is a fall semester event.
• Annual Awards Dinner: At this event the political science department’s faculty and students recognize the achievements of outstanding students. At this annual celebration, monetary awards are given to students in the following categories: professionalism, leadership, academic achievement, and outstanding graduating senior. This is a spring semester event.

For more information please contact Dr. Daniel Tagliarina at dctaglia@utica.edu

The Model United Nations Club at Utica College is focused on teaching students’ debate, interpersonal communication, and research skills in preparation for the annual Model UN conference that Utica College attends, the Harvard National Model United Nations in February (HNMUN).

Events under the Model UN Club:   

• Harvard National Model United Nations (HNMUN) conference: This is the annual Model UN conference that the UC Model UN team attends held in Boston in the Spring Semester. In the Model UN conference, participating students will be assigned a country to represent in a large conference in which they will have to assume the role of said country and debate from that position on an assigned topic. While the focus of the club has been to educate students important life skills, the Model United Club at Utica College have won awards competing in conferences with other schools. Students from all majors and backgrounds and welcome to join.
• United Nations HQ trip: This is an annual trip where the Model UN club tours the UN headquarters in New York City. During this trip there will be guest speakers who are diplomats and officials at the UN who will speak to students about the inner workings of the UN and are available for questioning. Students from all majors and backgrounds and welcome to join.

For more information please contact Dr. Jun Kwon at jtkwon@utica.edu

This honor society recognizes the academic achievements of outstanding students who have taken political science classes.

Events under the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society:

• Annual Induction Dinner: Students who have enough credits to be considered juniors at Utica College and have taken a certain amount of political science classes, and who have achieved a high GPA, are eligible to be selected to join the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society. During this fall semester induction dinner, inductees are celebrated for their achievements.
• Speaker Series: Part of the Utica College’s chapter’s goal is to educate the college community and the wider community about important issues of the day. There are two public lectures are held each year, one during fall semester and another during spring.

For more information please contact Dr. Luke Perry at leperry@utica.edu

All majors take an internship appropriate to their academic and/or career interests.

POL470 - Government and Politics - Internship (3 to 15 credits). Below is a list of different internships students have completed in recent years. For more information please contact Dr. Dr. Luke Perry at leperry@utica.edu

• U.S. State Department
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Peace Corps
• Americorps  
• New York State Assembly
• Onedia County District Attorney's Office  
• Oneida County Family Court
• Clean and Healthy New York
• Mohawk Valley Refugee Center
• National Republican Congressional Campaign Committee
• Anthony Brindisi’s Congressional Campaign 
• Claudia Tenney’s Congressional Campaign 
• Emerge America   
• Utica College Center of Public Affairs and Election Research