Department of Political Science

Junior/Senior Initiatives 2008-09

Maymester Course in Washington, D.C.

Students see American government in action, getting in-depth and behind-the-scenes access to key decision-makers.  This interaction and contacts developed are useful preludes to internships, fellowships and jobs in the DC-area following graduation from Clemson.

Spring Break Course in Washington, D.C.

Students taking a course in “American Diplomacy and Politics” spend their spring break interacting with high-level U.S. and foreign diplomats.  In 2008, for example, students met with officials from the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars, U.S. Department of State, Helsinki Commission, Congressional Research Service, Voice of America, U.S. Institute of Peace, National Intelligence Council and Embassy of Serbia.

Student Travel to Professional Conferences

Students who have their research accepted for presentation at professional conferences are supported in those endeavors.  Such presentations allow interaction with professionals and contact with professional and graduate schools, which simply cannot be delivered on campus.

Clemson Delegation to the S.C. Student Legislature

Students participate in a simulated legislative process, and do so superbly.  Awards for Clemson’s delegation, often the “Distinguished Delegation Award,” go back to at least 1980 and continue to accumulate. 

LSAT Preparation Courses

Students in CBBS who aspire to admission to law school are offered a more affordable alternative to the commercial preparation courses taught by an experienced Clemson University faculty member.

Guest Speakers

Students have the opportunity to hear and interact with distinguished political scientists and public figures.

Model United Nations

Students from a variety of majors participate in competitions in the U.S. and abroad simulating the proceedings of the United Nations.  The Clemson delegation, in conjunction with a student club, has awards going back to 1989.

High School Model United Nations

Students gain leadership, organizational and teaching experience as they organize and run a Model UN competition for high schools.  This program brings students from multiple high schools around the state and region to participate in this experience.

Career Options: Local Government

Students are encouraged to consider careers in local government.  In conjunction with the South Carolina City County Management Association, a program featuring speakers, a jobs clearinghouse, workshops on interviewing, field trips and graduate study opportunities are offered.

Pi Sigma Alpha

Students have the opportunity to join and participate in the national Political Science honor society.

Past Enhancements

• Support students’ travel to present research accepted for presentation at professional political science association meetings
• Subsidize CBBS students taking an LSAT preparation class
• Support for assistance in higher enrollment, lower-level classes to assure effective learning and to allow offering of additional lower enrollment, upper-level classes
• Support for the Model UN Program
• Support for Pi Sigma Alpha (the national political science honor society) activities
• Support for student travel to Washington, D. C. to meet with officials to study China’s Development and U.S.-China Relations
• Support for students’ travel to Washington, D. C. to meet with officials at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars; the Departments of State and Homeland Security; the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee for Europe; the Congressional Research Service; the Public International Law and Policy Group; the National Intelligence Council; and the Embassy of Serbia to study American Diplomacy and Politics

Ben Leader (Political Science Junior):  “The trip to Washington D. C. with the Creative Inquiry class [POSC 305-005] greatly expanded my knowledge of U. S.-China relations. I feel the group as a whole gained a whole lot both academically and professionally. This is a great opportunity for any Clemson student to take advantage of.”

Seth Mullikin (Political Science Sophomore):  “The trip to Washington was invaluable to my learning about China and my political science degree in general. The resources available in Washington allowed us to learn about China from a variety of primary sources. We had the opportunity to meet with Congressman Barrett and Senator DeMint to discuss how America’s domestic policies were affected by China. We also met with [Vice President] Erin Ennis of the U. S.-China Business Council to discuss how China’s domestic policies affected American companies. Overall it was a great trip that I think anyone interested in China should participate in.

Ashley Blackham (Political Science Sophomore): “Our trip to Washington D. C. gave me a hands-on experience on how important it really is to be involved in what is going on in the US government today, especially [in coping with] one of the greatest powers rising up, China.”
 
Joe Semsar (Political Science Senior):  Readings about China and visits with the Chinese Embassy in Washington D. C. in the last two semesters have “helped me view media outlets in America and around the world in a very different perspective.”