Political Science
Politics – sometimes engaging, sometimes exasperating – is the way people come together to govern collectively.
Political Science
Contact
Boudreau, Room 229
Orono, ME 04469
About
At UMaine’s Political Science department, you’ll learn from professors who do cutting-edge research and also care deeply about teaching and advising students. Some faculty focus on fundamental ideas about politics, going back thousands of years to contemporary times. Others examine the operations of politics and government today in the U.S. and around the world. Our faculty foster an open and stimulating intellectual atmosphere that promotes the free exchange of ideas in the classroom and beyond. Our students and faculty come together to discuss political films, watch candidate debates, and talk about politics. Our faculty are recognized internationally for their expertise and frequently share their views with the public through Maine, national, and international media. Whether it’s an internship in Washington, DC, the Maine State Legislature, or involvement in the community through engaged policy research, our students learn outside of the classroom. Our graduates follow varied career paths, with many practicing law, running non-profit organizations, and serving in and affecting government.
Undergraduate Studies
The University of Maine’s Political Science Department prides itself on providing an unparalleled educational experience for its students. Whether your passion lies in understanding politics at the global, national, or local level, you will have the opportunity to work closely with dedicated and highly knowledgeable professors who take a personal interest in your educational enrichment and success.
Online Major
Students who are so inclined can complete the Political Science major 100% online, meaning that you can be a UMaine Political Science major from anywhere. Online majors take courses with the same faculty that teach on campus majors and also receive the same faculty advising support.
Graton Prize in Constitutional Law
Endowed by Claude Dewing Graton, Class of 1900, the Graton Prize is awarded annually to the best essay responding to a current question in constitutional law. The prize is one of many ways in which the UMaine Department of Political Science promotes interest in and careful thinking about constitutional law, a topic that remains unfortunately neglected. Indeed, basic misunderstandings of constitutional government lie at the heart of many of America’s gravest problems. Politicians and publics are prone to challenging the constitutional order itself by pursuing single-mindedly their preferred policy goals and cultural norms. But doing so neglects the value of constitutionalism in its own right, as a framework within which partisan politics can operate without descending into winner-take-all rancor, and as a good that must be balanced against more seemingly pressing objectives. The Graton Prize helps our students learn to reverse this worrying trend. It encourages consideration of the broader legal order within which the more visible and emotional parts of our politics proceed.
Political Science Student Association
The UMaine Political Science Student Association (PSSA) is a student-led organization for students in political science and related majors. The UMaine PSSA hosts events, fosters discussion and community, connects students to internships and civic engagement opportunities, and builds a network where ideas about government, public policy, and social change meet real-world action. Join us to debate, learn, and get plugged in beyond the classroom.
Community Engagement
The University of Maine Political Science Department engages with the community in a variety of important ways. The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching defines community engagement as “…collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity.” This means that our faculty and students do not simply study politics from afar, but actively engage with the community to understand and address contemporary challenges.
In addition, faculty regularly offer their expertise and opinion in local, state, national and international media outlets. Below, you’ll find just some of the exciting ways that our faculty and students engage with the community.
