Department of Political Science and International Affairs

We are dedicated to excellence in both teaching and scholarship. We offer a wide range of courses offering concentrations in all major areas of political science and international affairs, a student body whose graduates have compiled an impressive record of professional achievement, and a location between two centers of political power — Washington, D.C. and Richmond, Virginia — that is ideal for politically-minded students to pursue internships, independent study projects, and professional opportunities. These factors help make the Department of Political Science and International Affairs one of the most vibrant at Mary Washington — or any other institution of higher learning.

Recent news and upcoming events:

Dr. Diane Moore of Harvard University will offer a lecture free and open to the public on Wednesday, 3/20 at 4 PM at Lee Hall, R. 411. The lecture is titled “Religious Literacy and Democratic Citizenship in National and Global Contexts” and is sponsored by the PSIA, and Classics, Philosophy, and Religion Departments. For more information about the lecture, please contact Emile Lester at elester@umw.edu or 540-654-1146.

The Department of Political Science and International Affairs is pleased to announce that Rosalyn Cooperman, associate professor of political science, has been named a 2012 recipient of the American Political Science Association’s Jack L. Walker Outstanding Article Award.  The award honors a paper published within the last two years that contributes to the discipline’s understanding of political organizations and parties.

The Department of Political Science is pleased to announce that Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has appointed University of Mary Washington alumna and former Political Science and International Affairs Department major Annie K. Morris ’11 to his administration’s policy office. In her role as special assistant for legislative affairs and policy development, Morris administers the legislative tracking system, coordinates all meetings and leads and develops special projects for the Governor’s policy office. For more information see: http://www.umw.edu/news/2013/01/15/umw-alumna-named-to-gov-mcdonnells-policy-office/.

The Department of Political Science and International Affairs would like to congratulate former Political Science and International Affairs alumna Stacey Peros for receiving an “Appreciation for Outstanding Service” medal from the NATO Headquarters in Sarajevo. Peros is currently interning for Bosnia Initiatives for Local Development (BILD).

The Department of Political Science and International affairs is pleased to announce that PSIA major Shirley Martey has won a 2013 Ambassador Summer Scholarship from the Taiwan-US Alliance for Chinese Language study at Taiwan’s National Cheng Kung University (NCKU). The highly competitive TUSA program promotes peace in the world by establishing closer friendships and understanding between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan through cultural exchange, educational partnerships and increased economic cooperation. Shirley is the first UMW student to awarded the prestigious scholarship.

2011-2012 Fitschen Award winners for Political Science, Kristen Lewis and Samuel Phifer with Professor John Kramer at the 2012 Phi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors’ Society induction ceremony:

2011-2012 Fitschen Award winners for International Affairs, Sarah Alvarez with Professor John Kramer at the 2012 Phi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors’ Society induction ceremony:

2012-2013 Pi Sigma Alpha Board for Political Science and International Affairs.  From left, Greg Lesnewich, Vice President; Allison Blanck, President; and Rachel Martin, Secretary/Treasurer:

For additional announcements about lectures and internship opportunities for the 2012-2013 academic year, please click on the “Announcements” link on the left.