Welcome

Jackson State University's Department of Political Science helps students combine theoretical creativity and empirical research in order to develop and pursue policy applications. Among the department's areas of strength are American politics, comparative politics (particularly African politics), international relations and public law. Though the department's faculty utilize a diverse array of analytic perspectives, their research programs are suffused by a common concern with the role of citizenship in government and political processes, institutions and behavior.

In addition to formal course work, the department offers students and faculty opportunities to participate in research activities and experiential learning. As Mississippi's capital city, Jackson is a rich learning laboratory that provides our students with internships in state and local government, the court system, law firms and political campaigns. The Fannie Lou Hamer National Institute for Citizenship and Democracy, which has been cosponsored by the department, conducts summer seminars on the civil rights movement as a model of participatory democracy. International exchanges and travel are available to faculty and students via the Jackson State University Office of International Programs and the Mississippi Consortium for International Development.