WMU Department of Political Science

09/03/2026

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 15th and join us for a lecture featuring Carol Kakalec, Professor of Social Policy at the University of Michigan. Sponsored by W.E. Upjohn Institute and WMU Department of Economics.

08/31/2026

Please join us in welcoming our new Department Chair, Dr. Priscilla Lambert, and our new Administrative Assistant, Amirah Scott, to the Political Science Department!

We would also like to thank to Dr. John Clark for his leadership and dedication as department chair over the past 16 years. His contributions have helped shape the department and leave a lasting impact on our community.

Stop by the office to say hello and introduce yourself. Dr. Lambert and Amirah are excited to meet you and are here to support our students, faculty, and staff.

08/27/2026

Meet Gabriel, one of our outstanding International and Comparative Politics majors!

08/27/2026

Hey Broncos! We're almost back in action, and we can't wait to see you back on campus! As you get ready for the new school year, be sure to check out one of the exciting events happening during the first week of classes.

Join us on September 3 at 5:30 p.m. in 1303 Dunbar Hall for the Ethics Center Lecture, "Is Capitalism the Best We Can Do?" presented by Ben Burgis.

Drawing from his forthcoming Verso book, The Blueprint: How Socialism Can Work in the Real World, Burgis will explore what socialism is, why it is often misunderstood, and the ethical and economic arguments advanced in its favor.

Advance copies of Ben's book will be available at the event. If you know anyone on or off campus who may be interested in attending, please share this flyer with them!

07/14/2026

Congratulations on all your success, Faten, and best wishes for your PhD program!

standard

07/04/2026

Brian Schaffner, a political scientist who started his teaching career at WMU (2002-2004), has an op-ed piece in today's New York TImes. Using data from the Cooperative Election Study, Schaffner and Stephen Ansolabehere argue that we aren't as different or polarized as we think we are.

Americans have been told for at least two decades that they share less and less, while the data show the actual overlap holding roughly steady.

07/04/2026

Happy 250th Birthday, USA! We asked Professor John Clark to share some ideas for celebrating this historic event.

“Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. It’s a celebration for everyone who values the ideals of freedom and equality, whether in this country or around the world.

I like celebrations that reflect or build community. It reminds me that people from different backgrounds or with different perspectives can (and do) love their country. Attend a fireworks display or a baseball game (or both). Invite your neighbors or friends for a picnic or cookout. With the excessive heat, check on friends and neighbors who don’t have air conditioning or who lost power due to storms.

Is the weather driving you inside? Watch a show about the founding era—think “1776” or “Hamilton” or the documentary “The American Revolution,” all great reminders that the founders were complex and flawed and important. Read a book about US history like David McCollough’s “1776” or John Meacham’s “The Soul of America” or Richard Ellis’ “Founding Brothers.” Prefer fiction? Try Christopher Buckley’s “The Judge Hunter.” Poetry? Jennifer Clark’s “Johnny Appleseed: The Slice and Times of John Chapman” (you’re welcome, dear!). Read our founding documents like the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution (I’m looking at you, Supreme Court!).

The Fourth of July is a time to reflect on our shared history and ideals. It doesn’t belong to one person or group, it belongs to everyone. Don’t let one person or group hijack your celebration; you wouldn’t let another guest hijack your birthday party, would you?

Be safe, and Happy Birthday, America!”

Photo Credit: Image by Dalibor M from Pixabay

07/02/2026

Congratulations to our colleague Emily Hauptmann, Professor Emerita of Political Science, on her retirement from WMU! Emily earned her PhD at the University of California at Berkeley. She joined the WMU faculty in 1996 after starting her career at the University of Nevada, Reno. Emily's most recent book, "Foundations and American Political Science," was published in 2022. She was a co-founder of the Association of Political Theory and received our Political Science Good Citizen Award in 2018. Best wishes, Emily, and thank you for all your contributions to our department and our students!

05/27/2026

WMU political scientist John Clark was interviewed about the Mackinac Policy Conference underway on Mackinac Island. "I think thoughtful discussions of ideas are important for a democracy," Clark said. "If that's what we get out of the Mackinac conference, so much the better."

Surrounded by the crisp blue waters of the straits, the chamber seeing purple, aiming to buck divisiveness.

05/27/2026