UAH: Department of Political Science

Clubs & Organizations

Political Science Club
The political science club provides a venue for the discussion of political and governmental issues that enrich the academic programs of political science majors and minors. It provides an opportunity for students to discuss controversial issues, explore current events, and to acquire a broader perspective on government and politics in the locale, the stated, the country, and the world. What is accomplished in the setting of the Political Science club is indicative of its members and designated leaders.

Pi Sigma Alpha
Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society, is the only honor society for college and university students of government in the United States. The Nu Delta Chapter of the University of Alabama in Huntsville was established in 1982. Pi Sigma Alphs was initiated at the University of Texas in 1920 for the purpose of bringing students and faculty together to generate a better understanding of politics and government. Pi Sigma Alpha affords a variety of opportunities beyond a mere venue for discussion, as there are numerous awards and honors distributed each year.

Student Government Association
The Student Government Association (SGA) is composed of UAH students of all majors and class rankings to serve the university by representing the entire spectrum of the student body. To provide this service, the SGA organizes and directs student concerns through the proper channels, and works to provide students with the resources they need to succeed. The SGA provides the students with an organized voice in matters regarding the university at large. In a word: The SGA is the voice of the student body.

The SGA is composed of an Executive and Legislative branch. The Executive Branch of the Student Government Association enforces the will and mission of the organization. It is composed of an Executive President, an Executive Vice President, a Vice President of Finance, and all Executive Cabinet positions. The Assembly is the legislative branch of the SGA, which is separated into the Senate and the House of Representatives. In the monthly meetings, the Assembly often passes articles of legislation of importance to the students of the University.

Model U.N.
The Model United Nations(UN) is a simulation of the UN General Assembly. The Model UN provides students an opportunity to experience the viewpoint of UN ambassadors from member states. Students play a role as a "delegate" which affords occasions to make speeches, prepare draft resolutions, negotiate with allies and adversaries, resolve conflicts, and navigate the Model UN conference rules of procedure - all in the interest of mobilizing "international cooperation" to resolve problems that affect countries all over the world. Before engaging in these delegate activities, issue research is necessary to ascertain awareness on topics such as peace and security, human rights, the environment, food and hunger, economic development, and globalization. As a delegate, with a designated country, there is need to investigate the designated country’s history, governmental structure, geography, economics, culture, needs, goals, and foreign policies.

Political Organizations
At UAH, there are a number of political affiliation organizations such as the Campus Libertarian Club and the UAH Democrats which provide a forum for group discussion and an activist community for students and citizens alike. The major goal of political affiliation organizations is to help individuals identify their own political beliefs and foster interest in the inter-workings of government regardless of ones place on the political spectrum. With the fostering of interest in politics, there is a goal to stimulate and involve students in political thinking and practical discussion of current issues around Huntsville, the state of Alabama, the nation, and the world.