Undergraduate Research

The Department offers several opportunities for undergradutes to become involved in research. Our Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program pairs majors with faculty for one-on-one experience conducting research. Independent Studies offer students a opportunities to apply and extend knowledge from other classes as they explore areas of personal interest. Similarly, students in the Commonwealth College can conduct and write original research through Honors Theses and Capstones.

Librarians Peter Stern (Political Science) and Barbara Morgan (Legal Studies) are always available to students pursue particular research questions. Be sure to visit the online research guides for Political Science and Legal Studies for a list of resources. Want in-person help? Librarians offer "Librarian is in" sessions in Thompson Cafe each week. Check the Thompson Lobby for schedules each semester.

 Undergraduate Research Assistant Program

This program provides an undergraduate student an exciting opportunity to work along side a Faculty member on specific research projects. These invaluable positions come with a stipend and are typically 5 or 10 hours per week. Assistantships give the undergraduate a real taste of what high-level academic research is all about.

Examples of projects from the Undergraduate Research Assistant Program research include:

• "Politics and Health Equity: A Comparative Examination of the US, New Zealand and Australia"
  Dean Robinson & Barry Dalin '12
• "Media Accounts of the Death Penalty, 1945-1965"
  Daniel LaChance & Matthew Strong '12
• "Network Building by Competing Intergovernmental Organizations"
  MJ Peterson & Ellen Schmarsow '12
• "The Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market:Creating a 21st Century Public Agency"
  Jane Fountain & Jeffrey Rothschild '10

Additionally, students are frequently hired as research assistants on faculty research grants. Examples of projects include:

• "Agenda Setting In Tranational Networks: Findings From Consultations with Human Security Practitioners"
  Charli Carpenter, Meghan Boesch '11, Olivia Faulkner '12, Emily Jacobs '12, Kendell Johnson '11, Brian Quadrozzi '11, and Casey Reinhardt '10
• "International Dimensions of Ethics Education in Science and Engineering"
  Jane Fountain, MJ Peterson, Spike Nowak '11, & Kathryn Corcoran '11

Independent Studies

Political Science credit may be obtained through independent study on topics of interest to students and faculty. Responsibility for such arrangements lies with the student, who should (a) identify a subject to pursue either through directed readings or research and (b) locate a member of the department faculty agreeable to supervise that work. The Independent Study numbers (POLSCI 296, 396, 496) should be used for this purpose. Ordinarily a student will receive no more than three semester hours credit for any such undertaking, although it is possible to receive up to six hours credit in a single semester. Credit earned through independent study may be used to satisfy one elective requirement in the department, provided that at least three credits are earned and a grade is given. No independent study course, however, may be used to satisfy an introductory or distribution requirement.

For a form to apply for Independent Study, click on the following link.

Honors Thesis & Capstones

Independent Capstones allow students the opportunity to focus on an issue or problem of special interest to them, arising out of their major study or across two or more disciplines. Students pursue independent research and scholarly, scientific, or creative work under the supervision of a faculty "guidance committee." Their efforts culminate in the production and presentation of the student's own substantial thesis or project. However, these projects need not end when a student submits their work. There are plently of examples of Honors Theses being expanded to help our alumni after they graduate. One example can be found here. It was written by a student as her Undergraduate Honors Thesis, and then changed into an article for that website.

For more information on an Honors Thesis, please visit Commonwealth College's Website.

Many students who complete independent research for a thesis or capstone choose to present their work at the Annual MA Statewide Undergraduate Research Conference.