Political Science

Faculty

* Graduate faculty

*S. Krishna, PhD (Chair)—comparative politics, international political economy, South Asia
*I. S. Rohter, PhD (Undergraduate Chair)—political ecology, Hawai‘i politics, green politics
*J. Goldberg-Hiller, PhD (Graduate Chair)—American politics, judicial politics, public policy
*B. Aquino, PhD—Southeast Asian and Philippine politics, women and politics
*R. Chadwick, PhD—international relations, global modeling, methodology
*J. A. Dator, PhD—political futures, media, Asian politics
*K. Ferguson, PhD—feminist theory, political theory, organizational theory
*M. Henningsen, PhD—political theory, European politics, genocide/Holocaust
*G. Kent, PhD—international relations, development, food and nutrition, children, pedagogy
*N. Milner, PhD—law and politics, public policy, conflict studies
*D. E. Neubauer, PhD—public policy, political economy, health politics
*L. Nitz, PhD—political economy, public policy, methodology
*M. J. Shapiro, PhD—political theory, media, politics of culture
N. Silva, PhD—Hawaiian politics, indigenous politics
*N. Soguk, PhD—international relations, international organizations, migration, human rights, Middle East
J. Spencer, PhD—political economy, public policy analysis, history and evaluation of antipoverty programs, racial/ethnic dynamics, Southeast Asia, research methods
*C. M. Stephenson, PhD—international organization, security, environment, peace studies
*D. S. Suh, PhD—comparative politics, comparative communism, Korean politics
*J. Wilson, PhD—political philosophy, American politics
*K. Zhou, PhD—comparative politics, Chinese politics, women and development

Affiliate Graduate Faculty

K. O. Kane, PhD—philosophy and theory, pedagogy, film and media studies, women’s studies
O. Lee, PhD—Chinese foreign policy, U.S.-China relations
C. Morrison, PhD—Southeast Asian international relations
S. Pooley, PhD—fishery economics

Degrees Offered: BA in political science, MA in political science, PhD in political science

The Academic Program

Political science (POLS) examines politics not only in government and among nations but also in private organizations, businesses, universities, families, language, and daily life. Various methods are used to do this, ranging from the interpretive and historical to the quantitative and statistical.

Political science graduates enter numerous professions: journalism, foreign service, social services, government, law, law enforcement, teaching, civil service, business, librarianship, and research. Undergraduate majors have done all of these and more. So have the department’s graduate students, many of whom come from abroad and return to their home countries to become leaders in their fields. The Department of Political Science provides a sound undergraduate education that helps prepare people to think critically and constructively about the world and to be active, concerned citizens in whatever walk of life they choose. Its internship program permits undergraduates to earn academic credit while working in community or governmental institutions and processes.

At the graduate level, the department stands out in the fields of international relations, political theory, comparative studies, Asian politics, futures studies, and policy analysis. The department is an open, informal place where students, staff, and faculty alike are encouraged to participate in departmental affairs and governance. For further information, call (808) 956-8357 or write to the department.

Advising

Students may write to, or make appointments to see, either the graduate chair or the undergraduate chair, who will discuss the options available and assign students, if necessary, to a faculty member who specializes in a field of study.

Undergraduate Study

Bachelor’s Degree

Requirements

Students must complete 27 credit hours, including:

• a prerequisite introductory course at the 100 or 200 level
• 9 credit hours from courses distributed as follows: POLS 335; either POLS 305 or POLS 315; and either POLS 375 or POLS 385
• POLS 390 (Methodology)
• 9 credit hours from other 300 level courses, including 3x5 courses
• 3-6 credit hours from 400 level courses 

Minor

Requirements

Students must complete 15 credit hours from the 300 level or above, including one course from POLS 305, POLS 315, POLS 335, POLS 375 or POLS 385.

Students should choose one of the 100 or 200 level political science courses as part of their General Education Core in social sciences, since a 100 or 200 level course is prerequisite for 300 level courses.

Graduate Study

The department has three different graduate degree programs: master’s degree Plan A, for which a master’s thesis is required; master’s degree Plan B, for which a culminating experience is required; and the doctor of philosophy (PhD) program. The department offers specializations in alternative futures, Asian and Pacific politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and public policy.

A completed application includes a statement of purpose from the applicant, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts. A paper or some other work that indicates the applicant’s writing and analytical abilities is required. Further information regarding the requirements for all three programs is available in a brochure. Write to the graduate secretary for the brochure as well as application information and forms.

The application deadline is February 1 for admission in the fall semester. No spring semester admissions are taken.

Graduates in political science have entered careers in teaching, research, and service in non-governmental organizations and various levels of government.

Master’s Degree

The department offers MA Plan A (thesis) and Plan B (culminating experience) degrees that can be tailored to a student’s interests and needs. The MA program invites applicants who are prepared to think critically and constructively about political phenomena. All MA students are required to take three of the following courses regardless of program (Plan A or Plan B): POLS 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, and 680.

Doctoral Degree

The department’s PhD program encourages students to pursue specialized interests as well as to broaden their understanding of political phenomena.

The department looks for students who are prepared to construct a successful course of study based on their individual interests, in conjunction with appropriate advising and course work. We encourage applicants who approach political questions in a critical and creative manner and who combine work from different specializations and disciplines to pursue their own particular projects.

Honors and Awards

Undergraduate

Thomas Hamilton Memorial Scholarship—$150 for a student with outstanding scholarship and all-around performance who has completed at least two courses in political theory.

Philip E. Jacob Award—$500 for the outstanding graduating senior in political science.

Carl Knobloch Prize Fund—$100 for a student with an excellent academic record who also has an outstanding record of community and/or University service.

Richard Kosaki Student Assistance Fund—$250, first prize; $150, second prize; $100, third prize, for excellence in research, based on papers written as part of political science course work.

Graduate

Norman Meller Award—$1,500 for fall semester to a graduate student with an outstanding academic record.

Werner Levi Award—$1,500 for spring semester to a graduate student for meritorious academic achievement.

Harry J. Friedman Memorial Scholarship—$250 for outstanding work in comparative politics.

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Please note: This Catalog was prepared to provide information and does not constitute a contract. The University reserves the right to change or delete, supplement or otherwise amend at any time and without prior notice the information, requirements and policies contained in this Catalog.