Political Science
February 2, 2013
A letter to Brooklyn College students
In the last week, we have been contacted by members of the Brooklyn College community and beyond about the political science department’s co-sponsorship of a panel discussion on the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Many have expressed support for our co-sponsorship, but we have also heard concern that the political science department is not willing to co-sponsor speakers or events representing alternative views. In fact, since this controversy broke, no group has contacted the political science chair requesting the department's co-sponsorship of a specific event or actual speaker representing alternative or opposing views.
We are writing you now to clarify and reaffirm our longstanding department policy on co-sponsorship. We welcome--indeed encourage--requests to co-sponsor speakers and events from all student groups, departments, and programs. Any groups, departments or programs organizing lectures or events representing any point of view should email the chair, Paisley Currah, with a formal request for cosponsorship. Each and every request will be given equal consideration.
We look forward to hearing from our students and colleagues.
Warmly,
Paisley Currah, Chair, on behalf of the Political Science Department
Statement, January 30, 2013
A student group at Brooklyn College has organized a panel discussion regarding the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, a non-violent response to the State of Israel's handling of the Palestinian conflict. On college campuses around the country and across the world, this issue is being discussed. Brooklyn College should be no different. The department of political science has thus decided to co-sponsor this event. We encourage students and members of the community to attend, pose their questions, and air their views.
Political Science at Brooklyn College--Our mission and goals
Our overarching goal is to provide our students with the knowledge and skills to live and serve in a globally-interdependent and rapidly-changing world. In this context, we strive to teach our students about the structure and operation of politics and power and to provide them with knowledge and skills that will help them succeed at their chosen careers. We seek to develop in them a sense of social responsibility by encouraging involvement in community and public service, both through our course work and through our internship program. Fostering a campus environment hospitable to multicultural interests and activities is a core value for our Political Science Department.
We build on the many resources of our urban environment to help Brooklyn College carry out the strategic goals of maintaining and enhancing academic excellence, creating a student-oriented campus, and becoming a model citizen of Brooklyn. The goals of the Political Science Department involve teaching, research and service to the college and in the broader community.
As educators, our priorities are:
To provide our students with knowledge, skills, and advice that will help them succeed at their chosen careers (law, education, international affairs, business, non-profit, government, public service, etc.).
To develop in our students a sense of social responsibility and good citizenship by encouraging involvement in community and public service, and thus to enable Brooklyn College to become a better citizen of the borough and the world.
To foster a department and campus environment hospitable to multicultural interests and activities.
Contact Information
Department Chairperson: Currah, Paisley
Undergraduate Deputy: Arnold, Caroline
Director of Religious Studies: Estey, Ken
Location: 3413 James Hall
Phone: 718.951.5306
Fax: 718.951.4833
