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The Department of Politics at Oberlin offers broad coverage of the study of politics. It includes what is called "Political Science" and "Government" at some other institutions. Students of politics explore many different dimensions of political life, ranging from small groups to citizens' organizations, cities, countries, and the international system. The study of politics includes basic information about governments, public opinion, law, historical and current issues, and explores broad issues of power, conflict, peace, citizenship, representation and justice. A major in Politics can provide a focus for a liberal arts program in the social sciences. It can help people to understand and act in their worlds more effectively. It can lead directly to careers in government, politics, public or private non-profit agencies, journalism, and secondary school teaching, or prepare students for graduate studies in law, public policy, business administration, public administration, or political science. We divide our curriculum into four main fields: American Politics; Comparative Politics (internal politics of foreign countries); International Politics (relations among countries); and Political Theory (the historical and philosophical study of political ideas). All students majoring in Politics must take classes in at least three of the four main fields. The faculty presents a variety of approaches to politics, combining conceptual and theoretical analyses with historical, policy and practical orientations. We are politically diverse and encourage our students to bring their own perspectives and critical capacities to bear in class and in the world around them. We encourage close intellectual engagement between faculty and students and take advising very seriously. Student majors develop their programs in consultation with their adviser, a member of the department. We offer small courses at the introductory and advanced levels in the four fields, and many of our larger courses include discussion sections led by faculty. Our individual private reading courses enable advanced students to work with a particularfaculty member on a topic of mutual special interest. Each year we invite some second-semester junior into our honors program. Honors consists of closely supervised individual readings and a senior thesis, together with oral and written examinations in one of the Department's four fields given by a scholar from another institution. Mudd Library contains an excellent and expanding collection of books, journals, government and international agency documents, and legal materials for students' use. It contains research materials in most major foreign languages as well. The Department participates in the college's Social Science Data Laboratory which maintains a library of data sets for computer analysis and advises students on the use of both data and programs. Although the main strengths of the Politics Department lie in the academic opportunities we offer, we also encourage students to become involved in internships or other forms of practical experience. The Oberlin Initiative for Electoral Politics, designed to encourage our students to consider careers in elective office, provides a special course each spring, paid internships with elected officials in the summer, and another special follow-up course each fall. A course on electioneering is offered biennially. In addition, each Winter Term we sponsor and place students in congressional offices in Washington, D.C. for internships. Students engage in a wide range of other internships during winter term and the summer, including positions with legislative offices, policy and advocacy organizations relating to all kinds of domestic and international issues, law firms and media organizations. Others spend time away from Oberlin studying a wide range of subjects all over the world. The following faculty are willing to sponsor Winter Term projects as indicated. Mr. Blecher: Readings in comparative politics, Chinese and Asian politics, socialism, political economy, Marxism. Mr. Crowley: issues in post-communist politics, international relations of the Soviet Union and the former Soviet Republics, political sociology, theoretical issues in comparative politics. Mr. Dawson: Local governmental internships and community service projects. Mr. Hirsch: Civil rights and civil liberties, including criminal law and the First Amendment; LGBT politics; American political thought, both historically and contemporarily. Mr. Howell: trade unions, political economy, left-wing parties, and readings in West European politics. Mr. Kahn: First Amendment; race and gender discrimination; urban politics; Federal courts and environmental issues; law and government research off- campus projects. Ms. Kruks: feminist theory; contemporary continental theory; and history of political thought. Ms. Mani: peaceful conflict resolution, Latin American politics, international security affairs. Mr. Parkin: campaigns and elections, mass political behavior (voting, public opinion), media and politics, political psychology, quantitative analysis. Ms. Sandberg: international development internships and research; African politics. Mr. Schiff: internships in international organizations; Middle Eastern politics; arms transfers and arms control; other topics in international politics. Mr. Wilson: history of political theory; environmental topics; utopias and dystopias; postmodernism and politics. Over the years our department has been the national leader among liberal arts colleges in providing undergraduate training for those who go on to Ph.D.s and research and teaching careers in political science. Many graduates attend master's programs in public policy, international affairs and business and go on to related careers. Still others go to law school and become lawyers or work in the public sector. Careers in public service and politics developed by our graduates in and out of established channels, are leading choices. Some of our graduates have become journalists, still others secondary school teachers. We strive to maintain the highest intellectual standards, stimulate political discussion from the abstract and theoretical to the immediately practical, and encourage students to incorporate critical political perspectives into their everyday lives and careers.
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