Winthrop University Political Science Department

Winthrop University Political Science Department Winthrop University Department of Political Science, Philosophy, Religion & Legal Studies

Political Science is a discipline that focuses on the nature of “power” – whether this power is held by an individual or a group, elected officials or monarchs, government agencies or protestors. Political Science inquiry critically examines the structures and functions of governments, elections, political parties, interest groups, social movements and more. Political Scientists study both the pro

cess of politics and public policies enacted by governments; they compare across the world, and look at the same questions in the smallest hamlet. Undergraduate study of Political Science is excellent preparation for careers in education, government service, campaigns, lobbying, journalism, foreign service, military service, law, labor unions, business and industry. The Political Science degree is also excellent preparation for advanced study in law, international affairs, international relations, public administration, public policy, public affairs, urban affairs, and more. The award-winning Winthrop University Political Science Department faculty are a dynamic and talented group of teachers and scholars who enjoy exploring new ideas and sharing their passions with students and colleagues, and are recognized experts in their fields. The Winthrop University Political Science major is flexible, which permits students to design personalized degree programs. In addition, the Political Science department has a number of affiliated programs that provide unique opportunities for further engagement and employment. If you have any questions, contact the department program assistant, Katie Hartnett ([email protected]) or the department chair, Dr. Jennifer Disney ([email protected]).

Calling all local alumni! Come on out next Monday night so we can pick up where we left off from the WUMUN 50 Celebratio...
04/23/2026

Calling all local alumni! Come on out next Monday night so we can pick up where we left off from the WUMUN 50 Celebration! 🇺🇳🎉🦅❤️😊

04/19/2026

10th Annual Political Science, Philosophy, Religion, & Legal Studies
Alumni Reception & Student Awards Ceremony
Monday, April 27, 6:00-9:00pm
Tuttle Dining Room

Winthrop PPRL Alumni and Friends,

You are invited to Winthrop's Department of Political Science, Philosophy, Religion and Legal Studies (PPRL) 10th Annual Alumni Reception, Student Awards Ceremony and Pi Sigma Alpha (PSA) Honor Society Induction. The event will take place on Monday, April 27, from 6-9 p.m. in the Tuttle Dining Room, located inside McBryde Hall. This year, we have the distinct honor of awarding 12 student scholarships named for prominent members and friends of our program.

Tickets are $25, which includes wine, beer and hot/cold hors d'oeuvres. Each ticket purchased for the event will contribute to the PPRL Academic Excellence Fund to support departmental student scholarships.
Purchase Your Ticket at the link below by Friday, April 24!

In March we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Winthrop University Model United Nations Program. It was wonderful to welcome home nearly 70 alumni who attended the anniversary events. Thank you for making the anniversary such a huge success! Come back to celebrate with us again next week if you can on the last day of Spring 2026 classes!

Dr. Jennifer Disney
Professor and Chair, PPRL
Director, Model UN Program
Director, Women's and Gender Studies Program

Registering for the Fall? Check out these Religion courses offered by Dr. Kristin Kiblinger and Dr. Sandy Rogers!
04/07/2026

Registering for the Fall? Check out these Religion courses offered by Dr. Kristin Kiblinger and Dr. Sandy Rogers!

New course alert!! Looking for a class to take over the summer? Check out Dr. Sandy Rogers’ new Summer Maymester course,...
04/02/2026

New course alert!! Looking for a class to take over the summer? Check out Dr. Sandy Rogers’ new Summer Maymester course, “Religion and Dungeons & Dragons”. Register next week! 🐉

Join us on Wednesday, March 11 at 11am at Richardson Ballroom B for the event, “"High School Students Unite! Teen Activi...
03/11/2026

Join us on Wednesday, March 11 at 11am at Richardson Ballroom B for the event, “"High School Students Unite! Teen Activism, Education Reform, and FBI Surveillance in Postwar America" with WU Alum and McNair Scholar, Dr. Aaron G. Fountain!!

This event will feature Dr. Aaron G. Fountain, an independent scholar, Winthrop University alum, and McNair Scholar. It will showcase his new book; “High School Students Unite! Teen Activism, Education Reform, and FBI Surveillance in Postwar America.” While college activism of the 1960s and 1970s has been well documented, the equally critical contributions of high school students have often been overlooked. Fountain will explain how high school students, inspired by the civil rights and antiwar movements, spearheaded their own social movement. Through social networks of their own creation, students fought for constitutional rights on their campuses and for curricula changes that reflected their evolving worldviews. Such activism eventually attracted the attention of the FBI, which began surveilling high school students—sometimes at the behest of their parents.

Tonight (on Monday, November 17th) from 7 – 8:30 PM in Dina’s Place there will be a panel discussion on “Global Perspect...
11/17/2025

Tonight (on Monday, November 17th) from 7 – 8:30 PM in Dina’s Place there will be a panel discussion on “Global Perspectives on the Legacies of Imperialism.” Dr. Williams, Dr. Disney (Political Science), and Emeritus Professor Van Aller (retired, Political Science) will be on the panel. It’s a cultural event and sponsored by the Winthrop University College Democrats.

Looking for a new course to take in Spring 2026? Dr. Sandy Rogers is offering a NEW COURSE on the Politics of the Early ...
11/17/2025

Looking for a new course to take in Spring 2026? Dr. Sandy Rogers is offering a NEW COURSE on the Politics of the Early Church. It is a RELG 350 class, and we have just added a PLSC 390 003 (CRN #26192) cross-list. You can take it under either number.

Check out this cultural event happening next Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11am with the Honorable Jean Hoefer Toal!
09/09/2025

Check out this cultural event happening next Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 11am with the Honorable Jean Hoefer Toal!

04/29/2025

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Winthrop University 346 Bancroft Hall 701 Oakland Avenue
Rock Hill, SC
29733

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