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Poli Sci Days

Poli Sci Days

POLI SCI IN THE REAL WORLD
OCTOBER 19-20, 2026

Two days of talks, debates, documentaries, student research and career conversations — the annual showcase of Radford University’s Political Science department. Everyone is welcome.

Free and open to the campus community. Drop in for one session or stay for both days.

SAVE THE DATES
Monday, OCTOBER 19, 2026
Tuesday, OCTOBER 20, 2026
Heth Hall 014

Where the classroom meets the real world!

Two days of talks, debates, documentaries, student research and career conversations — the annual showcase of Radford University’s Political Science department. Everyone is welcome.
Poli Sci Days is our annual showcase. For two days each fall, faculty, students, alumni and guest practitioners take over Heth Hall to show what political science looks like beyond the textbook: how campaigns are won, how courts and legislatures work, how the world reacts to a crisis, and how a major turns into a career.
 
Sessions run about an hour, with time for questions. Political Science and International Studies students attend sessions in place of regular class meetings; everyone else is invited to drop in.
 
Seats are first come, first served — plan to arrive early for the popular sessions.

  • of back-to-back sessions, Monday and Tuesday

  • from American politics to law, careers and research

  • capstone and seminar students present original research

Something for every interest

  • AMERICAN POLITICS

    Campaigns, Congress and state legislatures, explained by the faculty who study them and the students who analyze them.

    01

    Past sessions: mock presidential debate, Virginia legislative races, political civility

  • INTERNATIONAL

    Global events and world politics through talks and documentary screenings with discussion.

    02

    Past sessions: UN Declaration of Human Rights, Iranian uprising, COVID in China

  • LAW

    Hear directly from judges and attorneys, including Radford alumni, about law school and legal careers.

    03

    Past sessions: a visit with a sitting judge, so you want to be a lawyer

  • CAREERS

    Practical sessions with Career and Talent Development on resumes, digital profiles and personal branding.

    04

    Past sessions: resumes that get noticed, branding you for future employers

  • FACULTY-STUDENT RESEARCH

    Capstone and seminar students present original research alongside their professors

    05

    Past sessions: leadership and emotion, sustainable design, midterm elections

  • CLUBS AND FEEDBACK

    Capstone and seminar students present original research alongside their professors

    06

    Past sessions: Model United Nations, political party clubs, feedback sessions

“What’s Your Strategy?”

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
A critical look at the 2024 presidential campaigns — from the 
2024 showcase

 

Students in Political Campaign Management examined the 
messaging and imaging, fundraising, state-by-state strategy and 
polling of every major and minor party presidential campaign, then 
presented what worked and where campaigns struggled.

Presented by Chapman Rackaway, Ph.D. Senior Seminar student

Good to know before you come!

FOR RADFORD STUDENTS

  • POSC and INST classes are replaced by Poli Sci Days sessions 
    on these two days October 19 and October 20, 2026.
  • Attend one session for each class meeting missed
  • Collect the ticket at each session and give it to your professor

FOR GUESTS

  • Alumni, prospective students, and students from other 
    universities are welcome where there is room
  • To obtain university guest parking permit, contact the Political Science department's administrative assistant, Ms. Madison Barnes at mbarnes40@radford.edu
  • Heth Hall 014 Campus Map [PDF]

QUESTIONS?
Please contact the Political Science department administrative assisant, Ms. Madison Barnes at mbarnes40@radford.edu or the Poli Sci Days coordinator, Paige Tan, Ph.D., at etan3@radford.edu.

 

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