Iowa State University

Iowa State University

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of Political Science

Got a question or comment?
Contact us at 515-294-7256 or polsci@iastate.edu
FAX: 515-294-1003

James McCormick
Chair
Department of Political Science
503 Ross Hall
Ames, Iowa 50011

Alex Tuckness
Director
Public Policy and Administration Program
Graduate Education
503 Ross Hall
515-294-8910

Dana Schumacher
Academic Advisor
557 Ross

Mission Statement and Strategic Plan, 2006-2010
 
Mission of the Department of Political Science
The mission of the Department of Political Science at Iowa State University focuses on establishing excellence in learning, discovery, and engagement, consistent with the requirements of the University's Strategic Plan for 2006-2010, Research Comprehensive, and Land Grant University. For the learning mission, the Department seeks to enable its undergraduate and graduate students to become familiar with theories of public values and patterns of political systems at the national, regional and international levels. It also seeks to instill the ability to think and analyze such phenomena in a critical way and to develop the necessary oral and written skills to convey those analyses to others. For the discovery mission, the Department seeks to conduct high-quality research on issues across the entire political science curriculum and to disseminate that knowledge in leading books and journals for the well being of the citizens of Iowa, the nation, and beyond. For the engagement mission, the Department seeks to externalize the knowledge of, and about, political and administrative systems and political processes to the citizens of Iowa and beyond. At the same time, the Department seeks feedback from its students and external communities to strengthen discovery and enrich learning.

Strategic Goals of the Department of Political Science, 2006-2010

  1. Teaching and Learning:
    • Recruit and retain high quality and diverse students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including those students who have not yet selected a major field of study
    • Improve on our already high standards in teaching by placing greater emphasis on teaching ability in faculty recruitment and promotion
    • Provide students with opportunities for internships and study abroad to expand their knowledge of the practice and diversity of politics and government.
    • Modernize the curriculum to account for changes in the discipline of political science and changing conditions in global and American politics.
    • Increase student enrollments and recruit students to the major by frequently offering introductory courses and topical courses with broad appeal and by providing an educational atmosphere where diversity is valued
    • Improve the quality of instruction by assessing our program regularly with cutting-edge outcomes assessment instruments.

  2. Research and Discovery:
    • Recruit outstanding and diverse faculty.
    • Develop hiring, mentoring, and support practices that facilitate faculty retention.
    • Encourage quality disciplinary and cross-disciplinary research
    • Assist faculty in applying for and obtaining external funding for research.
    • Engage both graduate and undergraduate students in departmental research.
    • Support faculty efforts to develop synergies between research and teaching.
    • Publish books with the best presses and articles in top-tier journals.

  3. Engagement and Outreach:
    • Provide state and local government officials, both elected and appointed, with courses and workshops designed to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to govern effectively.
    • Seek avenues, such as lectures, conferences, colloquia, and media interviews, to teach and inform public officials and citizens on national, state, and local issues.
    • Work with Extension and the other Regents universities to provide training to public officials in Iowa.
    • Encourage faculty in the Public Policy and Administration program to conduct research in areas that will help practitioners in public service and the non-profit sectors to aid the State of Iowa and the nation.
    • Promote faculty and student participation in regional, national, and international disciplinary and subfield conferences.
    • Support faculty involvement with professional organizations as referees, editorial board members, and editors.
    • Collaborate with alumni and friends to advance the goals of the Department.

Approved by the Department of Political Science, April 18, 2006.