School of Social Sciences

Department of Political Science

LSSU’s innovative political science program is designed to contribute leaders who will help meet the challenges of the 21st century. The program provides students with both a broad liberal arts education and the important skills they need to begin a career or pursue additional education.

Since students of political science follow diverse career paths, political science majors at LSSU choose from one of three tracks or concentrations: general political science, pre-law, and public administration. Each concentration provides a combination of knowledge and skills uniquely appropriate for those with particular career goals.

One of the innovative features of the program is the replacement of the traditional minor field of study with a set of cognate (related) courses spread across several disciplines. The cognate requirements for each concentration are tailored to meet the specific needs of those within the concentration. The cognates complement a student’s courses in political science by providing important background (such as history, philosophy and economics) and valuable skills (such as computer, research, writing and speaking skills).

A second innovative feature is a required year-long senior seminar. As part of this seminar, students analyze their career goals, prepare a resume and write a senior thesis. Since writing a thesis requires discipline, perseverance and the ability to integrate, the senior seminar serves as a capstone for the student’s education. Students make public presentations of their theses prior to graduation. Family, friends and the University community are invited to these presentations.

Internships — which involve supervised practical work experience in an off-campus location — are available and encouraged. Internships may be carried out with local, state (or provincial) or federal agencies in the Sault Ste. Marie area. Other internship opportunities are available in Washington, Lansing, Toronto and Ottawa. One of the most exciting of these opportunities is the Washington Semester Program, a cooperative arrangement with American University in Washington, D.C. Students selected to participate in this program spend a semester taking classes and working in Washington.

Student Organizations - The Political Science Club is a nonpartisan student organization that promotes discussion and understanding of current political issues. The club sponsors speakers, arranges debates between political candidates, hosts student forums with the University president (“Pizza with the President”), participates in debates with students from Algoma University College in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (“CanAm Debates”), sponsors voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives, and participates in a variety of other activities related to contemporary politics. Membership is open to all LSSU students.