Welcome to the USM Political Science, International Development and International Affairs website. The Department is prospering even though the nation is facing difficult financial times. By unofficial count we have over 400 majors in Political Science, Paralegal Studies and American Studies, and 100 graduate students in our Masters and Ph.D. (International Development) programs. We are also adding a new disciplinary program as Economics will be joining us in the Fall of 2010.

The energizing 2008 Presidential election has passed and the United States has inaugurated its first African-American president who will lead the nation for the next four years. As a nation we face serious economic, social, and international problems, and government and politics are at the center of the vortex. Whether you think government is part of the solution or part of the problem (different members of our department tend to take both sides of the issue) we think you wil find the curriculum challenging and interesting.

The Department sponsors several student organizations: The Paralegal Society (open to all paralegal students), Pi Sigma Alpha (political science honor society) also the Pre-Law Society and the Society of Future Black Attorneys (both are open to all students). In addition this semester a new organization has formed, the Southern Miss Political Society, open to all students.

We are pleased to recognize Dr. Marija Bekafigo who recently successfully defended her dissertation at the University of Florida. Her degree was conferred in August, 2009.

Also noteworthy is the Department of Homeland Security grant awarded to two of our International Development faculty members, Professors David Butler and Ward Sayre. The grant, valued at nearly $800,000, was awarded to investigate the recovery efforts of the Mississippi Gulf Coast from the effects of Hurricane Katrina. (See "Faculty Activities" for further reports of department faculty research.)

Come by and visit, read the New York Times, and think about joining us. Our undergraduate majors include political science, paralegal studies and American studies. We have a master's program in political science and offer a Ph.D. in International Development.

Allan McBride, Ph.D.

Chair 

Click here to view CAREERS in Political Science

• DEPARTMENT ALUMNI - If you are a graduate of our department, please let us know what you are doing now. Tell us about your further education, occupation, and other accomplishments. We would love to hear from you. Send us an e-mail to diane.haven@usm.edu or allan.mcbride@usm.edu and we'll post it on our Alumni Information page.