Department of Political Science Records

Collection

Identifier: UA 0004.0022

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the official records that reflect the history and activities of the Department of Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences from 1970-2015. This collection contains material related to annual reports produced by the Department for the Office of the Provost, a degree proposal for a Master of Arts in Political Science, a self study of the Department, and also various newsletters published by the Department. The types of files include newsletters, reports, and an archive of the department's website.

Dates

1970 - 2021

Creator

Department of Political Science (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information. Please see our Sensitive Materials Statement.

Biographical or Historical Information

The subject of political science was first introduced to the State Normal and Industrial College (now The University of North Carolina at Greensboro) in the early 1910s and was managed under the Department of History. In 1922, there was discussion lead by the head of the Department of History, Walter Clinton Jackson, to establish the subject as a separate department under the leadership of professor Harriet Elliott. However, the talks were just that and it would not be until 1970 that the Department of Political Science was official established as its own separate academic unit.

In 1959, the school began offering a political science major. The push to finally separate from the Department of History came after popularity in the subject grew such that by 1966 there were twenty-five political science majors. Margaret Hunt, the lead political scientist in the department at the time, was also asking for the addition of more faculty to diversify the program as it was clear that students were leaving after their sophomore year to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 1976, the Department approved a Master of Arts degree in Political Science which has been fully accredited since 1993.

Extent

0.84 Linear Feet (2 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Political science was first offered as a major in 1959, however, the Department of Political Science was not established until 1970. Today the Department is responsible for the undergraduate and graduate curriculum in political science.

The records of the Department of Political Science contains annual reports, degree proposals, newsletters, reports, an archive of the department's website, and self studies which document the activities of the Department from 1970-2015.

Arrangement Note

The arrangement scheme for this collection was imposed during processing in the absence of a useable original order. This collection is arranged into two series with Series 1 arranged in alphabetical order while Series 2 is in chronological order. Series 1: General Files, 1975-2015 Series 2: Annual Reports, 1970-2002

Method of Acquisition

Periodically transferred from the Department of Political Science.

Offensive Language Statement

The UNC Greensboro University Libraries collects, preserves, and makes accessible unique and historical materials for learning and research. The nature of historical materials is such that some material may represent positions, norms, and values that are offensive and objectionable. These materials represent the opinions and actions of their creators. By providing access to these records in our reading room and through our digital collections, we recognize that archives and rare books can play a vital role in holding those creators accountable and in helping us learn from the past.

Our finding aids and other collection descriptions may occasionally re-use language provided by creators or former holders of the materials, but we strive to place outdated or offensive terminology in context. That said, we recognize that we may not always make the right decision and welcome feedback from all sources so we can learn and adjust our practices. Please contact us at scua@uncg.edu if you encounter problematic language in our finding aids or other collection description. We will review the language and, as appropriate, update it in a way that balances preservation of the original context with our ongoing commitment to describing materials with respectful and inclusive language.