Political Science

Preparing students for successful careers

The Political Science program offers its majors a broad understanding of political phenomena, including political institutions, political processes, political behavior, and contemporary political issues.

The program provides instruction so as to enable all students to complete as part of their general education requirements an introductory-level course in political science that includes material dealing with the United States Constitution.

The course of study for the major prescribes a set of core courses in the discipline’s traditional subfields of American government, comparative politics, international relations, political philosophy, and political methodology. Students elect the remainder of their primary work from a range of course offerings pertaining to foreign and/or domestic American government and politics. The flexibility of the curriculum permits students to pursue a program of courses tailored to their individual interests and career goals.

Graduates with a major in political science receive the broad training and develop the general competence in the discipline required to equip them for successful careers in journalism, politics, the military, public service, and quasi-public agencies, commerce and industry, teaching, and other occupations for which preparation in the field is desirable, or to undertake postgraduate professional study in political science, public administration, or related areas such as law.

FACULTY & STAFF

  • Dr. Almeida Richard A.
    Dr. Richard A. Almeida Professor of Political Science, Associate Co-Director of Baruch Institute for South Carolina Studies ralmeida@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1631 Departments
    Baruch InstitutePolitical Science
    OfficeFH 139
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D.  University of Missouri-Columbia

    M.A.  University of Memphis

    B.A.  University of Massachusetts

    Dr. Almeida has been with the Department of Political Science and Geography since 2007.  He specializes in American political behavior (interest groups and voting), formal political theory, and classical political thought.  His primary research interest involves formal models of lobbying coalitions.

    Dr. Almeida serves as a Associate Co-Director of Baruch Institute for South Carolina Studies at Hobcaw Barony, the historic 16,000-acre estate owned and operated by the Belle W. Baruch Foundation. 


    man smiling
  • Dr. Carter Fred
    Dr. Fred Carter President of Francis Marion University, Professor of Political Science lcarter@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1210 Departments
    Political SciencePresident's Office
    OfficeSAB 110
    Additional information

    President's Page

    Education

    Ph.D.  University of South Carolina

    M.P.A.  University of South Carolina

    B.A.  University of Central Florida


  • Doughty Richard G.
    Richard G. Doughty Instructor of Political Science and Geography rdoughty@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1612 Departments
    GeographyPolitical Science
    OfficeFH 144
    Additional information

    Education

    M.A.  Columbia University

    B.A.  Williams College


    Photo of Richard Doughty
  • Dr. Lasher Kevin J.
    Dr. Kevin J. Lasher Emeritus Faculty of Political Science, Years at FMU: 1993-2022 klasher@fmarion.edu Departments
    Political Science
    Office
    Additional information

    Emeritus Faculty of Political Science

    Education:

    Ph.D.  University of Georgia

    M.A.  University of Georgia

    B.A.  Youngstown State University

    Dr. Lasher joined the faculty in 1993, served as Chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography from 2004 to 2010, and  held the Neal D. Thigpen Chair of Public Affairs. He participated in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) in 1990-91 and was based in Urawa, Japan. Dr. Lasher taught a variety of courses including U.S. Government, U.S. Foreign Policy, Soviet and Russian Politics, Asian Politics, and Politics and Film. His research interests focused  upon the issue of U.S. Grand Strategy. Dr. Lasher is an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Indians.


    Kevin Lasher
  • Dr. Morgan Kyle J.
    Dr. Kyle J. Morgan Assistant Professor of Political Science Kyle.Morgan@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1615 Departments
    Political Science
    OfficeFH 138
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D.  Rutgers University

    M.A. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

    B.S.  Farleigh Dickinson University

    Dr. Morgan focuses his research and teaching on American politics, and in particular the American judiciary. Dr. Morgan has published work on the U.S. Supreme Court, American democracy, civil rights and liberties, and constitutional Law. He also continues to work in the world of public opinion.

    Currently, Dr. Morgan is conducting research on criminal justice sentencing as well as the role of race and gender in judicial nominations. At Francis Marion University, Dr. Morgan offers courses on civil rights and liberties, U.S. government, criminal Justice, and criminal Law. In his spare time, he can be found spending time with his dog or outside, surfing, hiking, and camping.


  • Dr. Tatum Dillon S.
    Dr. Dillon S. Tatum Chair, Department of Political Science & Geography, Coordinator of Political Science and Criminal Justice, Associate Professor of Political Science dtatum@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1632 Departments
    Political Science
    OfficeFH 129
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D.  George Washington University

    M.A.  George Washington University (Political Science)

    M.A.  George Washington University (Middle East Studies)

    B.A.  University of Arizona  

    Dr. Tatum, the current Chair of the Political Science Department, specializes in international relations and political theory. His research and teaching interests focus on international relations theory, global social and political theory, and security studies—particularly regarding issues relating to the liberalization of world politics.

    In 2021, Dr. Tatum published his first book Liberalism and Transformation: The Global Politics of Violence and Intervention (University of Michigan Press). He has also authored numerous articles in academic journals such as International Studies Review, Political Studies Review, Cambridge Review of International Affairs, and the British Journal of Politics and International Relations.


  • Dr. Warters T. Alissa
    Dr. T. Alissa Warters University Provost, Dean of the Francis Marion College of Liberal Arts, Professor of Political Science twarters@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1286 Departments
    Political ScienceProvost's Office
    OfficeSAB 115
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D.  University of Tennessee

    M.A.  Virginia Tech University

    B.A.  Virginia Tech University

    Dr. Warters  became the Provost and the Dean of the Francis Marion University College of Liberal Arts on July 1, 2023. Dr. Warters was the Vice President for Enrollment Management and is a Professor of Political Science.


  • Dr. White David R.
    Dr. David R. White Professor of Political Science, Coordinator of Pre-Law Programs dwhite@fmarion.edu Phone843-661-1614 Departments
    Political Science
    OfficeFH 136
    Additional information

    Education

    Ph.D.  University of Arizona

    M.A.  University of Arizona

    B.A.  Bucknell University

    Dr. White, the former Chair of the department, has taught a variety of American politics classes at FMU, including courses on the U.S. Congress, the American presidency, state and local government, Southern politics, contemporary political issues, and the politics of sports. He coordinates the university's political science and criminal justice programs, as well as the department’s internships. He also serves as the university's pre-law advisor.  His research interests are the U.S. Senate and presidential trip preparations, also known as presidential advance. After college, Dr. White worked in Washington, D.C., for nearly six years. His first two jobs were with a major political party, first in the fundraising office, and then in the chairman’s office. He then served as a trip coordinator in the advance office of a presidential campaign, before working in the press office of a U.S. senator. Dr. White grew up in Cooperstown, New York, and is an avid runner.


    man smiling