Political Science is the discipline that tries to make sense of dynamic patterns in political affairs and comprehend their consequences for the social and economic welfare of the society and its citizens. Knowing the “facts” of the political world is critical, but our primary purpose is understanding why things happen as they do. Examining these deeper questions involves exploring human nature and motives, the relationship between people and institutions, and such fundamental issues as the nature of power, law, liberty and government.
The study of politics has been around for a long time. Aristotle wrote that people must cultivate a knowledge and understanding of the political world in order to survive and prosper. Since Aristotle, most great philosophers and statesmen have emphasized the importance of politics in defining the future. Even a casual glance at a current newspaper demonstrates that today’s most important issues are primarily political in nature because they involve the distribution of power, wealth, authority, and rights and privileges.
We believe students at a liberal arts university must prepare to live in a dynamic world where specific techniques may quickly become obsolete. Our focus is on cultivating skills that characterize what classical philosophers called the “civilized” person. Good citizens are people prepared to contribute to their society. Our goal is to produce citizens who can thoughtfully and critically examine problems and issues, write clearly and well, and systematically incorporate and analyze new information.
The Political Science Department offers diverse and flexible programs designed to help students prepare for meaningful careers in government and international public service, law, journalism, teaching and other areas. The major requires the minimum number of courses allowed by the university because we believe that it is in the best interest of our students to provide freedom in choosing electives. We encourage students to take electives in economics, anthropology, criminal justice, history, literature, philosophy, mathematics and foreign languages. We also provide research opportunities and internships for all students majoring in Political Science.
The major requires 34 to 39 credit hours and offers four concentrations: General Emphasis, Research Emphasis, Concentration in Political Economy and Political Science with Teacher Licensure. Courses are grouped in the following five categories, in addition to some that are offered in Women’s Studies, International Studies and Africana Studies:
The activities of our faculty members center on the classroom, and teaching methods are designed to develop our majors’ analytical skills. We believe the ideal products of a liberal arts education are people who can critically examine a problem or issue, apply the analytical tools they have learned, and discuss the implications of different solutions or alternatives. Our faculty are committed to undergraduate education and have been recognized with the campus Distinguished Teacher Award, UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, Belk Professorship, Bremen Professorship and Fulbright Awards.
We encourage students to complete internships as part of their academic work. Students have worked in these loctations: offices of the Public Defender, District Attorney and U.S Attorney, area law practices, Land of Sky Regional Council, congressional offices (local and Washington), Western Carolinians for Criminal Justice, N.C. General Assembly and Asheville city schools. They also have had international experiences in Mexico, Copenhagen and Germany.
More than half of our majors work in law-related or government fields, and others work in private industry or business. More than a quarter of Political Science graduates have continued their educations in professional and graduate schools. Political Science sends more students to law school than any other discipline. And a majority of county and city managers as well as other government employees major in Political Science. Our graduates have chosen careers in journalism and law enforcement and with special interest groups.
Graduate and professional schools students have attended include the University of North Carolina a Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Washington, Vanderbilt University, Clark-Atlanta University, Villanova University, University of Georgia, University of South Carolin and the University of Wisconsin.
Political Science Department
239 Zageir Hall, CPO #1940
UNC Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804-8508
828.251.6634