About Political Science

Learn about our department faculty and program offerings. We also house a center and lab that offer opportunities to apply our knowledge to the world of politics and policy.

image of Tim Nordstrom gesturing as he speaks in front of a classroom

Department of Political Science

What We Do

Political Science students learn about government, policy, and political activity from experienced faculty and a supportive department that offers opportunities for collaboration and research throughout the year. Students apply this knowledge in ways to advance strong communication and analytical skills.

Who We Are

The University of Mississippi is categorized as an R1 research institution, which means that our faculty are at the top of their fields and actively conducting groundbreaking research. It also means students work and study alongside some of the best.

Our faculty members include award-winning educators and researchers with years of experience. Our department boasts particular strengths in the areas of political behavior, international conflict and international organizations, and race and politics. 

Three women at UN accepting an award
Susan Allen (left), political science professor at Ole Miss, and Amy Yuen, chair of the political science department at Middlebury College, accept the 2024 Book award from the Academic Council on the United Nations Systems at its annual meeting in Tokyo. Submitted photo
  • Dr. Tim Nordstrom recently won the Elsie M. Hood Award for Outstanding Teaching. Having previously won the Cora Lee Graham award for outstanding teaching of freshmen, Nordstrom now joins Professor Bob Brown as the second Hood award winner in the department.
  • Dr. Susan Allen (far left in photo) co-authored a book on the UN Security Council, which resulted in in invitation to New York City to talk with the South Korean delegation preparing to chair the Security Council along with about 20 other nation representatives. They recently received the 2024 book of the year from the United Nations.

What We Offer

The Department of Political Science offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees. Find detailed information about our programs here.

Welcome from the Chair

John Bruce profilePolitical Science is a vibrant academic field that prepares students for a wide range of prospects, from business to law school to politics.  The University of Mississippi Political Science Department is organized around three fields of study: American politics, Comparative politics, and International politics. The undergraduate political science major provides students with a strong liberal arts education that prepares them for careers in a wide variety of fields. While many go to law school, many others find careers in business, teaching, the Foreign Service, the armed forces, government, law enforcement, lobbying, and non-profit organizations. Some of our alumni serve in Congress, at the White House, in state government and in U.S. embassies abroad, while others are attorneys, teachers, and business professionals.

While here, students take courses from award-winning faculty who are leaders in their fields. Our department has 19 faculty and instructors who support students in our undergraduate degrees (both a B.A. and a B.S.), M.A. and a Ph.D. in Political Science. The commonality across all three degrees is a focus on the development of critical thinking and being able to articulate and address important questions. We have seen students take these skills and apply them across the full spectrum of careers.

If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Thanks!

Dr. John M. Bruce, Chair
Department of Political Science
662-915-7401 | jbruce@olemiss.edu

Department Leadership and Support

We support the faculty and students in the Department of Political Science. 
John Bruce

John Bruce

  • Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science
Sue Skipworth

Sue Skipworth

  • Instructional Associate Professor of Political Science and Assistant Chair
Abbie Lagrone

Abbie Lagrone

  • Administrative Coordinator I
Benjamin Jones

Benjamin Jones

  • Associate Professor of International Relations
Rachael Jones

Rachael Jones

  • Academic Counselor

American Politics

Meet the faculty who teach and research in the subfield of American Politics.
Miles Armaly

Miles Armaly

  • Associate Professor of Political Science
Robert Brown

Robert Brown

  • Professor of Political Science
John Bruce

John Bruce

  • Chair and Associate Professor of Political Science
Kesicia Dickinson

Kesicia Dickinson

  • Assistant Professor of Political Science and African American Studies
Richard Forgette

Richard Forgette

  • Associate Provost and Professor of Political Science
Marvin King

Marvin King

  • Associate Professor of Political Science & African American Studies
Jonathan Klingler

Jonathan Klingler

  • Associate Professor of Political Science
Sue Skipworth

Sue Skipworth

  • Instructional Associate Professor of Political Science and Assistant Chair
Andrew Stone

Andrew Stone

  • Assistant Professor of Political Science
Jonathan Winburn

Jonathan Winburn

  • Professor of Political Science and Director of Social Science Research Laboratory
Julie Wronski

Julie Wronski

  • Associate Professor of Political Science

Comparative Politics

Meet the faculty who teach and research in the subfield of Comparative Politics.
Mahesh Acharya

Mahesh Acharya

  • Instructional Assistant Professor of Political Science
Alice Cooper

Alice Cooper

  • Professor of Political Science
Gang Guo

Gang Guo

  • Croft Associate Professor of Political Science
Gregory Love

Gregory Love

  • Professor of Political Science
Steven Schaaf

Steven Schaaf

  • Assistant Professor of the Comparative Politics of the Middle East

International Relations

Meet the faculty who teach and research in the subfield of International Relations.
Susan Allen

Susan Allen

  • Professor of Political Science
Lauren Ferry

Lauren Ferry

  • Assistant Professor of Political Science
Laura Huber

Laura Huber

  • Assistant Professor of Political Science
Benjamin Jones

Benjamin Jones

  • Associate Professor of International Relations
Timothy Nordstrom

Timothy Nordstrom

  • Professor of Political Science

Applied Politics

The Department of Political Science houses a center and a research lab that allow students and faculty to engage together in the work of political science.
Haley Barbour gesturing and talking while seats around a table with students

Haley Barbour Center for the Study of American Politics

The Department of Political Science in home to the Haley Barbour Center for the Study of American Politics, which promotes study and understanding of politics in the American context.

Haley Barbour Center for the Study of American Politics
image of collage of data charts along with magnifying glass and pencil

Social Science Research Laboratory

The Social Science Research Laboratory (SSRL) has extensive experience in research design and methodology, program evaluation, economic development, survey research, needs assessment, advanced econometrics, and market research. 

Social Science Research Lab

Our Community

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A live radio production, Thacker mountain radio, is hosted at Off Square books.

A Place That Ever Calls

Located 70 miles from Memphis and surrounded by the natural beauty of Northern Mississippi, Oxford boasts thriving music, art, and literary scenes along with great restaurants. UM's athletics provide many opportunities to watch and participate in sportsand one of the world's best tailgating parties. 

With everything Oxford has to offer, it's no wonder USA Today named Oxford as one of the Top Six College Towns in the Nation. 

Come see why. 

Explore Oxford