Online education is one of the most flexible and convenient ways to pursue a degree, as this mode of learning caters to busy adult learners who have multiple obligations in their lives. Students currently attending, or planning to attend, online schools for the political science degree option have a variety of choices in schools and courses. In addition to the respective school’s online materials and resources, a plethora of supplemental resources exists online for political science students.
This article will provide a list of the top 50 resources beneficial for students attending online political science schools. The resources listed here should prove to be helpful sites describing materials and journals, career opportunities, and insightful contributions from educators and other professionals and leaders in the field of political science.
Student and Faculty Perspectives
This section provides blogs written from the perspectives of students who are political science majors and degree candidates, as well as faculty members of the political science departments of various schools. Some of the blogs are by individuals, and others feature multiple blog contributors.
- The Quantitative Peace
Blog founder, Michael Allen, is a Ph.D. candidate in political science at Binghamton University. His other contributors are also doctoral candidates and students there. Allen states that the blog’s purpose is to concentrate on “empirical international relations and comparative politics with a specific focus on quantitative and formal studies.”
- UNL Political Science Student Blog
This blog, hosted by grad students at UNL (University of Nebraska-Lincoln), provides a forum for sharing advice, educational experiences, and encouragement in academic pursuits.
- The Sam Jackson College Experience
Yale student Sam Jackson provides his ongoing experience and perspectives as a political science major. He provides a real life look at his experience from admissions through his anticipated 2011 graduation, anticipating what awaits him as a political science graduate.
- Georgetown Law Faculty Blog
This blog presents contributions from various members of Georgetown University’s law faculty. Many posts cover related law and political topics, providing material for political science students to discuss or use for assignments.
- Political Science at University of the Pacific
Hosted by the political science department of the University of the Pacific, this blog is useful for any political science students. Recent posts offer reasons why to study political science, as well as a career outlook.
Political Science and Legal Journals, Papers, and other Resources
This section contains blogs featuring a number of political science journals, papers, and other resources. In addition, since some political science graduates enter law school, some blogs contain information regarding lawyers and law professors, and legal matters involving political issues.
- Journal of Political Science Education
This site describes the journal of political science education and its value for political science students. Articles included in the Journal undergo peer review, making them credible for students to cite for assignments in their political science classes.
- Lowering the Bar: Legal Humor. Seriously.
This blog contains, among the usual legal topics, a number of categories related to politics and legislation. Among these is this sampling of categories: Constitutional law, elections and voting, executive branch, law schools and students, lawmakers and politicians, and state and local government.
- Political Science Weblog
This blog presents a collection of political science papers. Hosted by associate professor of political science, Henry Farrell, from George Washington University, the blog covers a variety of topics from American politics and general political science, to political theory and political science news.
- The Legal Satyricon
Law Professor Mark Randazza, the editor of this blog and its group of conservative “satyriconistas” (i.e., contributing writers, many of who have law and/or political science degrees), share what he calls “occasionally irreverent thoughts on law, liberty, tech, and politics”. Among the issues covered on this blog are First Amendment law, civil and Constitutional law, and freedom and liberty issues.
- Feminist Law Professors
This blog’s administrator categorizes the blog as a community of female law professors who identify themselves as feminists. Their practices cover various areas of law and scholarly subjects, as well as address the “role of feminism in politics.”
Contributions from Political Science Professors
This section contains blogs featuring valuable information and life experiences of political science professors. Each one currently teaches at a college or university as an assistant, associate, or adjunct political science professor.
- Abstract Politics
Assistant professor Adam Brown started this blog as a means to share the views of other graduate students, as well as his own. Brown concentrates on research and events within the realm of political science.
- A Shrewdness of Apes
Peter Loewen is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Toronto. He covers various political topics of interest for political science students.
- Back Channels
Associate professor Jim Walsh teaches political science at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He provides topics of interest for political science students, as well as posts faculty openings for that department.
- Signifying Nothing
This blog features various topics within the area of political science. The author, Christopher Lawrence, is an associate professor of political science at Texas A&M International University.
- Frontloading HQ
Josh Putnam, adjunct professor of political science at High Point University covers both sides of politics, as well as the middle, in this blog. He focuses on campaigns and elections, and all the circumstances and topics surrounding them.
- King Politics
Assistant professor of political science at the University of Mississippi, Marvin King, provides this blog to cover “useful and pertinent” information about African American politics. He addresses issues related to African American history and economy, Southern politics, and contemporary campaigns and elections.
- Rodger A. Payne’s Blog
Payne is a professor of political science at the University of Louisville. He covers a broad range of topics of interest for political science students including American foreign, globalization policy, international relations, public debate, and U.S. presidential elections.
- Presidential Power
Dr. Matthew Dickinson, who earned his degree in political science at Harvard, is now a professor at Middlebury College. In his blog, he attempts to present a nonpartisan perspective and analysis of presidential elections and politics.
- Reflective Pundit
Dr. Brigitte Nacos received her Ph.D. in political science from Columbia University and currently teaches political science and government courses there. Her blog focuses on a wide variety of topics of interest to political science students, ranging from mass media and public opinion, to terrorism and counterterrorism, to political parties, interest groups, and election campaigns.
- Burkean Reflections
Associate professor of political science, Donald Douglas, presents his views and beliefs from a moderately conservative perspective. Douglas claims that he “despises the hard-left radical agenda and discourse” and “abhor(s) irrationalism in argumentation.” However, he does welcome comments and debate.
Contributions from Political Science Graduates, Lecturers, and Scientists
This section contains blogs featuring the thoughts, opinions, and experiences of various political science professionals. This number includes graduates, lecturers, and scientists who desire to share their knowledge with others interested in the field of political science.
- Broadbanding the Nation
Michael de Percy is a political science lecturer in Australia. He addresses an intriguing topic of interest for political science students regarding broadband regulations and policies, particularly from the perspective of using this new media for “politics, government, and citizen engagement.”
- A Sibilant Intake of Breath
This blog covers a variety of topics, including economics, politics, science, and the environment. The author, a political science graduate with a master’s degree, originally created his blog while studying at Oxford. Now he maintains the blog to discuss “hot topic” political issues like climate change, and domestic and international security.
- Abandoned Footnotes
This blog presents the “random thoughts” of Dr. Xavier Marquez from New Zealand. As a political science lecturer, Dr. Marquez focuses on the history of political thought, particularly its Greek and Roman origins.
- A Plain Blog about Politics
The author of this blog is a political scientist. He offers his perspectives on a number of important topics of interest to political science students, including the American “presidency, Congress, parties, and elections.”
- French Politics
Writer and translator Arthur Goldhammer chairs the Visiting Scholars Seminars at Harvard’s Center for European Studies. He shares his experience as an observer and researcher of French political history.
- The Interdependence Complex
Dr. Lauren Phillips is a lecturer at the London School of Economics and Political Science. She offers her perspectives on the impact of globalization in this blog.
- Apt. 11D: Laura McKenna
Laura McKenna is a former political science instructor who is a strong advocate of female leadership in the political world. She focuses on such political science issues as public policy, media politics, feminism in politics, and work-life policy.
- Outside the Beltway
The authors of this blog describe it as an online journal covering political issues and foreign affairs analysis from a “classic liberal” perspective. Editor-in-Chief James Joyner holds a Ph.D. in political science, while the majority of the editors and contributors also hold varying degrees in political science and related majors.
Various Political Party Discussions
This section contains blogs expressing the opinions of political science proponents from various political parties. The blogs represent liberal, progressive, conservative, and libertarian views.
- Liberal Values: Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought
This blog provides relevant topics for political science students to discuss, from the liberal perspective. Topics include a variety of personal freedom of choice decisions, as well as encourage an appreciation for science. The blog author does not promote a particular political party, but rather “socially liberal values” held by any party.
- The Liberal Coalition
This blog offers a collection of views from a coalition of liberal bloggers. These bloggers are unashamedly liberal, providing political science students with numerous topics for discussion. The mission of the blog is “defending America’s ideals and promoting liberal solutions.”
- Progressive Blue
This blog represents the opinions and perspectives of a group of writers and editors who advocate a progressive agenda of issues. Among their many topics are candidates and causes, education and career opportunities, environment and science, equality rights and issues, and international issues.
- Op-Ed Politics
Marina Lee is a political intern who provides her thoughts and favorite quotes from the conservative side of politics.
- The Militant Libertarian
Writer and avowed libertarian Aaron Turpen has shared his political thoughts and perspectives in this blog since 2004. He provides a link to his new 2010 site from his blog.
- Where Did My Capitalism Go?
Blog author Andrew expresses some intriguing thoughts about the waning existence of capitalistic principles in America and other parts of the world.
- Workingclass Conservative
This blog’s author, a New York firefighter and freelance writer, offers “food for thought” for political science students. The author’s views come from a conservative “working man’s” perspective.
- Liberty Pundits
This blog has a conservative political perspective. A unique feature of the blog is its ongoing podcasts from a variety of conservative guests.
- Midnight Blue says…
As a credentialed republican committee blogger and republican committeewoman, this blog’s author states her blog is “a conservative oasis in the desert of liberalism.” Her blog features posts and videos.
- The Strata-Sphere: High-Flying Political Debate
Initially raised as a democrat, the blog’s author now provides a conservative independent political perspective. He looks forward to serious political debates on current events.
Neutral Political Perspectives and Specific Agendas
This section contains blogs featuring individuals and groups who attempt to remain neutral and consider all sides. In addition, some blogs represent groups who have specific agendas on the political front.
- Dag Blog
This blog, named after the late UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold, covers a variety of topics, including international affairs and politics.
- Peace Culture
This blog is a community initiative based in Toronto, Canada. The group recognizes war is destructive and unethical, and encourages more peaceful measures of organizing and gathering to raise awareness and bring about more positive results with political leaders.
- Washington Monthly: Political Animal Steve Benen
Headquartered in the U.S. nation’s capital of Washington D.C., a small group of writers and editors offer political insight on the government and its characters. Their focus is on how to make government work effectively for the people it represents.
- Vasgk
Greek communications analyst Vasileios Gkinopoulos provides his insight about how to most effectively use internet technology for campaigning, communications, and politics. He strives to maintain a neutral position, rather than supporting any particular party or individual’s political stance.
- Ricochet
The purpose of this blog is to allow members (for small membership fee) to “chew over, criticize, and celebrate” current events, with political leanings “to the right of center.”
- Will Wilkinson
This blog shares the thoughts on American politics from writer and columnist Will Wilkinson. His writing has appeared in numerous well-known publications, such as Forbes and The Economist.
- Andrew Coyne
Political science students will enjoy a variety of topics from a plethora of resources in this blog, including posts, essays, columns, links, American and world news, photos, podcasts, and videos.
Anti-Religious and Christian Political Perspectives
This section contains blogs featuring political perspectives from various religious perspectives, both conservative and liberal. Both anti-religious groups and Christian groups share their viewpoints.
- The Atheist Conservative
For those political science students looking for a non-religious perspective, this blog provides conservative political news and views free from mainstream religious biases.
- Atheist Revolution
This blog provides another resource for political science students who want progressive political news and perspectives without what the blog’s author calls a “Christian extremism” slant.
- Conservative Humanist Association
This blog, based in the UK, approaches conservative political thought from a humanist, rather than religious perspective.
- Conservative Tendency
Dr. Mark English presents his thoughts on political, social, and scientific issues from a non-religious conservative perspective.
- Conservatism with Heart
A conservative Christian with a “passion for politics, Dee Vantuyl presents her political views from that perspective. She is also a radio host for a show by the same name as her blog and includes podcasts on her blog.
This article endeavored to supply students with 50 top resources related to the topic of online political science schools. Divided into seven specific categories, the article provides students with blogs containing a range of information, from journal reviews to valuable input from professionals in the political science field.
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