Professor Karen E. Dean
Assistant Professor Winston R. Wells 

Political Science Course Listings

History and Political Science Homepage

The political science department at Illinois College seeks to develop knowledgeable citizens who are capable of making critical decisions within society. Students use the strengths of all academic departments on campus to make choices within the political science field based on their interests and strengths. The courses are designed to give students an understanding and awareness of political systems, processes, behaviors, and a basic knowledge of research methodologies used in the discipline. Faculty in the political science department, stress the development of critical thinking, awareness of the world around them, and communication skills as key to success in the field.

What opportunities are available for students?

Model United Nations strives to enrich the knowledge of its members in the arenas of economics, human welfare, global politics, and environmental causes. Each semester, the students are given the opportunity to travel to the American Model United Nations, and the Midwest Model United Nations. Erin Laytham (2007) states, “Model UN is a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of other nations and the inner workings of the United Nations.”

Phi Alpha Delta (PAD) is the world’s largest legal fraternity, founded in 1902 as a professional service organization. The goals of PAD are to advance ideas of liberty and equal justice, to further develop the virtues of compassion and courage among attorneys, and to foster integrity and professional competence among members. Illinois College members visit law schools, participate in mock trials, and meet with practicing lawyers.

The distinctive BreakAway program provides opportunities for students to experience different cultures, environments and ideas though short-term, experiential learning trips. Each trip has a topical focus and is led by a team of faculty members representing academic disciplines relating to the trip’s theme. The political science department has sponsored BreakAway trips to Berlin, Washington D.C., and the Middle East.

The History Association is a student organization that hosts historical film series, field trips, and bring speakers to the campus.

Pi Sigma Alpha is the national political science honor society that recognizes outstanding performance in the study of political science. To be considered for membership a student must:

• Be of junior or senior standing
• Be in the top 1/3 of the class
• Have completed 10 hours in political science with at least 3 of those at the 300+ level
• Have a 3.0 GPA within the political science department

Students interested in political parties find a home in either the College Democrats, the College Republicans, or the College Independents. Each of these organizations sponsor a wide variety of campus events from voter registration drives, hosting political debates, and bring in guest speakers.

What opportunities are available after graduation?

Political science graduates go into the job market and graduate studies well equipped to think, to communicate, and to learn. Many students with a degree in political science are working in the fields of education, law, politics, and various levels of government. A number of our graduates are attending law school at St. Louis University, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and University of Illinois-Champaign Urbana.

Faculty in the Department of History and Political Science

James E. Davis
Gardner Professor of History / Professor of Geography
A.B., M.A. Wayne State University; Ph.D. University of Michigan

Karen E. Dean
Professor of History and Political Science
B.A., M.A., Ph.D. Kent State University

Robert C. Kunath
Associate Professor of History
B.A. University of Chicago; M.A., Ph.D. Stanford University

Scott R. Rohrer
Visiting Instructor in History and Political Science
B.A., M.A., University of South Florida-Tampa

Winston R. Wells
Associate Professor of Political Science
B.A. Northwestern University; M.A., Ph.D. University of California-Los Angeles

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