Political Science

Student Awards

The Outstanding Major Award goes to the graduating major who exemplifies academic excellence, commitment to the department and university, and representing the ideals of the department.

The John W. Burgess Award goes to a graduating major with an outstanding record in academic achievement (after the Outstanding Major Award). Burgess was a native Tennessean (Giles County) who is considered the father of modern political science. The Department presents this award on behalf of the Tennessee Political Science Association.

The Civic Engagement Award is an award that the Department first gave in 2017 to recognize the student who best reflects our nation's democratic ideals through his or her community participation. Our students are very involved in student government, Tennessee Intercollegiate State Legislature (TISL), party politics, campaigns, and political internships and the Department wishes to recognize and reward those students who, through their activities, model active, informed, winsome citizenship dedicated to improving our nation.

The Best Research Paper award is presented to the student who writes the best thesis in Senior Seminar. Papers are judged by the departmental faculty on the basis of the originality of the idea, proper placement in the academic literature, the correct choice and application of political science methods, and quality of the paper overall (e.g., writing style, organization, correct citations and bibliography).

The Department also gives out awards for the Best Paper written in American Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. These papers do not have to be written in senior seminar to qualify. Moreover, the department wishes to recognize excellence by students throughout our department who write high quality research papers.

The Outstanding Minor Award goes to a graduating student who has done excellent work in political science courses at Union University.

The Bracketology Award goes to the individual who wins the Department's annual March Madness Bracket Challenge.