When the editorial decision was made to feature "Political
Science in the 21st Century," I could not help but wonder
what were some of the current issues being discussed in one of
our Political Science classrooms here on campus. It has been quite
a few years since I was part of such a fascinating and important
debate as those that frequently occur with political science professors,
so I sat in on a class one recent January morning, taking careful
notice of the students as they entered the classroom.
What has drawn them to this 75-minute lesson? Is it the professor?
Is it required for their major? Or, is it the subject matter that
makes this class so enticing?
As class begins and the professor reminds them of the ground
they covered during their last encounter, life begins to stir
in the minds of these students. The discussion is on Socrates
and his view of justice. The professor suggests that Socrates
deems domestic affairs as being far more important than foreign
affairs, and argues that for Socrates, the individual is more
important than the society or the state. The students are aghast
and could not object quickly enough.
For the next hour, this group will find the fundamental ideas
that make up their "core being" tossed aside. They will
take a tough, but important journey as they investigate and question
their already established ideas of how a political system works.
They will open their minds to a unique perspective and will become
frustrated when their line of reasoning doesn't come to a logical
conclusion. Welcome to Political Philosophy with Dr. Peter Schultz.
At Assumption College, the Political Science Department is in
the business of making its students think. The professors are
here to take their students on a guided tour as they begin to
understand just what it means to be involved in politics. It is
not as simple as studying American
government, charting election results, or even comparing fledgling
international political systems. It is about the importance of
politics in the daily lives of individuals all around the globe.
It is understanding that politics has an effect on everything
we hold dear as citizens of the United States. It is comprehending
that everything-from the jobs we have to our economy, from the
water we drink to the clothes we wear, from the cars we drive
to the schools we are educated in-is influenced by politics.
It is realizing that millions of people around the world are
not so lucky. It is the passion of the professors, and the eagerness
of the students that make this department what it is. It is the
education that Political Science alumni have received at Assumption
College which help frame some of our most important debates taking
place nationally, regionally, and locally.
When reading our local newpapers or watching the evening news,
it is invigorating to see alums of Assumption College making the
decisions which affect us, our neighbors and our community. Take
for example:
Matthew Amorello '80, Commissioner for the Massachusetts State
Highway System. Matt, who previously served as a Massachusetts
State Senator, is making the decisions on a daily basis which
allow all residents of Massachusetts to commute daily to and from
work-safely.
Timothy Cooney '62, former mayor and city councilor for the City
of Worcester, who recently retired after 20 years in public service.
He is currently serving as the director of the Central Massachusetts
Safety Council.
· Brian A. Cournoyer '90, who is currently serving as Senior
Policy Analyst for State Senator Richard T. Moore.
· Victoria Israels '96, who is a research associate on
the staff for the Assembly Banking and Insurance Committee in
the New Jersey General Assembly.
Although this list is by no means exhaustive, it is quite interesting
to note that our alums are making a difference. It is their opinions
and perspectives that are helping to carve our dynamic political
system on a daily basis. It is their hands-on involvement that
is shaping the laws by which we are governed.
Heidi Paluk, '93