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Political Science

The Randolph College political science program provides excellent preparation for a career or further study in areas including law, public policy, or international affairs.

Professor Vincent Vecera holds class discussion.

Why Study Political Science at Randolph?

The Randolph College political science program provides students with a unique understanding of the discipline as it relates to society and state.

Taught by faculty who represent a broad spectrum of philosophical approaches, emphasis is placed on the mastery of facts and the sharpening of analytical skills.

The program provides excellent preparation for a career or further study in areas including law, public policy, or international affairs.

Given our small classes, you will have opportunities that would not find at larger schools: advanced research projects, independent studies, chances to present your work to your professors and peers.

The department offers a wide variety of opportunities for experiential learning beyond the classroom.

At Randolph, you will…

  • Discover how political theories and policies shape our lives.
  • Make connections between theory and the real world.
  • Gain new perspectives on social and political problems by delving into the philosophical foundations, history, and theory.
  • Build your quantitative and analytical skills.

Degrees offered

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science

Minor in American Politics

Minor in Comparative Politics/International Relations

Minor in Political Theory

Curriculum and Courses

Related Programs

American Culture

Environmental Studies

Global Studies

Sociology

The Randolph Experience

Honors Study

Studying for honors is one way political science majors gain experience in research and the opportunity to study a topic in depth.

Recent paper topics have included campaign finance reform, analyzed school voucher programs, studied congressional action on civil rights legislation, and researched recent U.S. Supreme Court actions on the Free Exercise of Religion clause of the First Amendment.

Model United Nations Class at Randolph College

Small Classes

Randolph professors offer unique, engaging courses on topics like peace and conflict resolution, children’s rights, the United Nations, and global health.

The Honor Code

Randolph students live by our Honor Code and act with the highest integrity in both academic and social life.

Model UN Team

In recent years, our student delegations to the National Model United Nations (NMUN) conference in New York City have consistently been honored among the best.

Participation is selective and chosen delegates take a full credit class to prepare.  

Delegates learn the structure, systems, and history of the UN with an emphasis on writing, research, speaking, and collaboration.

 

 

Study Abroad

Opportunities for study elsewhere, such as in the Washington Semester Programs at the American University in Washington, D.C., as well as study-abroad programs, are available.

Intercultural Competence

All Randolph students learn global citizenship with the capability to accurately understand and adapt to cultural differences and find commonality.

Internships

Randolph students put classroom learning into practice by participating in internships.

With help from the Career Development Center, political science majors have experienced government at work during internships in the congressional offices, federal and state offices, political campaigns, advocacy groups, social service agencies, and more. ing with social service agencies.

Recent internships include the Department of Veterans Affairs, Moms Demand Action, CASA, U.S. State Department, SAWAU.S. House of Representatives, and more.

Research

Randolph College students conduct advanced research projects in their majors with help from the Center for Student Research. They present their findings at the annual Symposium of Artist and Scholars.

Unique Experiences

Outcomes

Historic Preservation Law

Janie Campbell ’12, history major
Preservation Consultant, law firm of Rogers Lewis Jackson Mann & Quinn, LLC, Columbia, South Carolina

Janie’s group works with developers seeking tax credits for rehabilitating historic properties.

“I work closely with project architects to ensure that historic, character defining elements of each building are preserved and restored, which can vary tremendously as what is significant to a 1929 airplane hangar is vastly different from what makes a 1963 mid-century modern motel unique!”

She writes National Register of Historic Places nominations and Historic Preservation Certification applications, which detail the property’s significance.  She also conducts site visits to ensure work is being completed as described and photographs the before, during, and after conditions of each project.

“Randolph certainly laid the foundation for my research and writing skills. The Summer Research Program, in particular, prepared me for the type of place-based research I do now. “

Opportunities

Top Ranked Professors

Randolph College’s faculty are consistently recognized as among the best in the nation. The Princeton Review ranked the College in the Top 20 for most accessible professors in the 2021 edition of its flagship college guide, The Best 387 Colleges.

Randolph has been ranked in the top 20 for most accessible professors for four consecutive years.

Political Science Faculty

Vincent Vecera

Associate Professor of Political Science

Read More... Vincent Vecera

Mari Ishibashi

Associate Professor of Political Science

Read More... Mari Ishibashi

Aaron Shreve

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Read More... Aaron Shreve

Only at Randolph

Randolph students can take advantage of unique programs which give them a more enriching education than can be found anywhere else.

Money for Your Research

The Randolph Innovative Student Experience (RISE) program provides every student a $2,000 grant to fund research, creative work, experiential learning or other scholarly pursuits.

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TAKE2

Two courses per half-mester means you get to focus in and dig deep into your coursework while still having time for the rest of the college experience. Two classes. Seven weeks. Repeat.

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The Liberal Arts Advantage

Randolph graduates learn to think critically, solve problems and work well with others. They are prepared to succeed in all aspects of life.

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The Randolph Plan

Randolph students work with faculty mentors to explore a broad range of disciplines as they chart their academic path.

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Department News

Shreve publishes article in “Journal of Conflict Resolution”

"Boys and Their Toys: Status Inconsistency in Non-democratic Regimes and the Import of Major Weapon Systems"

Read More

Randolph professors granted tenure

Psychology professor Sara Beck, education professor Crystal Howell, and political science professor Aaron Shreve were recently granted tenure by the Randolph College Board of Trustees.

Read More

Randolph celebrates 2023 mid-year graduates

Twenty-two students will receive their diplomas this winter— 17 undergraduates and five who have completed the Master of Arts in Coaching and Sport Leadership (MACSL).

Read More

Shreve publishes article in “Journal of Conflict Resolution”

"Boys and Their Toys: Status Inconsistency in Non-democratic Regimes and the Import of Major Weapon Systems"

Read More

Randolph professors granted tenure

Psychology professor Sara Beck, education professor Crystal Howell, and political science professor Aaron Shreve were recently granted tenure by the Randolph College Board of Trustees.

Read More

Randolph celebrates 2023 mid-year graduates

Twenty-two students will receive their diplomas this winter— 17 undergraduates and five who have completed the Master of Arts in Coaching and Sport Leadership (MACSL).

Read More
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Department Chair

Vincent Vecera

Associate Professor of Political Science

Credentials:BA, Reed College
MA, University of Minnesota
PhD, University of Minnesota
Associated Departments:Political Science, Global Studies, Criminal Justice
Office:Psychology 204
Phone:4349478545
Email:vvecera@randolphcollege.edu

News Headlines

I teach and write about political thought and public policy in the United States.

My current research is focused on the dynamics of rights in American democracy, particularly how the politics of rights shapes how public policy is made, understood, and evaluated. Put another way, my work is primarily concerned with how Americans think and talk about constitutional rights and what rights “do” in the policy process.

I am currently chair of the department of political science and teach a variety of introductory and advanced courses in political theory, American politics, and public policy in the department of political science as well as handling pre-law advising and the American politics and political theory minors.

In my courses, I like to run simulations, inspire creative projects, and send students on adventures beyond campus, but what I love most is sitting in a seminar room or the student union and talking with students about an interesting text or idea.

I live a block and a half from Randolph with my partner, Molly Boggs, who is director of academic writing at Sweet Briar. We have two kids, Abe and Daria, and a striped cat, Sweet Dee. We enjoy comedy, music, gaming, gardening.

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Mari Ishibashi

Associate Professor of Political Science

Credentials:B.A., Sophia University (Japan)
M.A., University of Notre Dame
Ph.D., University of Notre Dame
Associated Departments:Political Science, Global Studies, Asian Studies
Office:Psychology 202
Phone:4349478499
Email:mishibashi@randolphcollege.edu

Originally from Japan, I first came to the United States as an exchange student and became a strong advocate of exchange programs. After completing my B.A. at Sophia University (Jouchi Daigaku) in Tokyo, I jumped into the field of policy research, working with the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) members of the Japanese parliament. My desire to learn about domestic and global politics from a very different spectrum brought me to the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and later I earned my Ph.D. in political science at the University of Notre Dame.

What I hope for my students is to discover a life-long joy of developing a greater appreciation of and celebration for the differences and commonality of humankind. I would like them to understand the world by making connections among different pieces of knowledge they acquire in various disciplines. I would like my students to open their minds and hearts to different predicaments of other peoples and critically reflect on important issues which affect not only them but also others in the world.

My research interest has been on minority politics, especially the Korean minority in Japan. Most recently, I have been examining different factors behind decisions made by the local governments in Japan to allow foreign residents participation in referendums. My courses include Introduction to East Asian Politics, Gender Politics in Asia, Ethnic and Political Conflict in Asia, Introduction to World Politics, Peace and Conflict Resolution and Political Research.

When I am not on campus, I spend a lot of time with my husband, Carl and our sons, Elliott and Linus.

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Aaron Shreve

Assistant Professor of Political Science

Credentials:
Associated Departments:Political Science, Global Studies
Office:Psychology 203
Phone:4349478543
Email:ashreve@randolphcollege.edu

News Headlines

I was born and raised in North Dakota, and I earned my B.A. in political science from Minnesota State University Moorhead. I went on to earn a master’s degree in security and intelligence studies at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh.

After a couple of years on the East Coast, I moved to northern California, where I earned my Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Davis. At UC-Davis, my subfields in political science were international relations and political methodology (applied statistics).

My dissertation examined how status and prestige motivations influence the foreign policy behavior of states.

My current research examines the relationship between status and prestige and

  1. foreign aid and peacekeeping,
  2. arms and military build-ups, and
  3. conflict.

My main goals are to provide students with

  1. the ability to critically analyze and evaluate issues and ideas and
  2. to synthesize and communicate their analyses.

This involves looking for empirical patterns to support or contradict theories, critically analyzing current events, and presenting arguments and supporting evidence in a clear, concise, and convincing manner. As a result, I emphasize the link—often the lack thereof—between academic debates and theories with policymaking.

The purpose of emphasizing the academic-policymaking link is to provide students a toolbox in order for them to be an active citizen in a global community. Students can also expect a heavy reliance on data in my courses.

I enjoying spending time with my partner, Alexis, my cats, Lewis and Clark, and my niece, Norah. I also like to read (ranging from spy novels, the American West, wine, military history, and nuclear weapons), traveling, cooking (mostly Mexican cuisine), running and hiking. I still enjoy basketball, so let me know if there is a pick-up game!

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