2008 Woodie Awards
Political science receives fourth top journal
Chad Eggspuehler
Issue date: 10/4/04 Section: News
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Marianne Stewart, School of Social Sciences professor and director of the political science program, will serve as editor during AJPS's four-year stint at UTD.
While under the direction of Texas A&M University, AJPS ranked No. 2 out of 115 political science journals in the American Political Science Association's 2003 report.
In coming to UTD, AJPS will join the university's three other highly-ranked publications in the field: Political Research Quarterly, Electoral Studies and Public Administration Review.
UTD administrators said they believe the acquisition of AJPS will bring UTD closer to achieving Tier-1 status. Dean of Social Sciences James Murdoch, a supporter of Stewart's proposal for AJPS, said the journal would indirectly increase the visibility of UTD, and possibly lead to additional grants.
"(MPSA) is a nationally influential organization with national," Murdoch said. "It's one of the two top journals in the field, (so) it's a major editorship. When readers see UTD (as the institution of the editor), it may begin to come to their minds when they fill out surveys."
Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Hobson Wildenthal, agreed that it would be a powerful tool for altering perceptions of UTD.
"Tier 1 is based on public and peer recognition," Wildenthal said. "(AJPS) was well, well worth the modest request (from MPSA) for staff and space."
Stewart concurred with the opinion that AJPS would enhance the visibility and perception of UTD and its students. She added that the arrival of the journal would increase the value of a UTD political science degree.
AJPS publishes articles submitted by top researchers from a variety of disciplines within political science. Although Stewart said AJPS has tended to focus more attention on articles in American politics and government, she added it is expanding to provide coverage of research in comparative politics and international relations, including topics such as civil rights violations, international conflict and leadership tenure.
Staff and file transition for AJPS will begin during the fall of 2005, but manuscript processing and review will wait until the next spring.
Stewart intends to use associate editors from Ohio State University, Marquette and the University of Houston. UTD will provide a four-person staff and three internship opportunities - two for graduate students and one for a fast-tracking undergraduate student.
Stewart said the internships will provide students with skill development experiences and allow them to develop critical forensic and analytical skills applicable to alternative career tracks.
"(The internship experience) would provide the students with a vantage point on research before anyone else can see it, which can be very exciting," Stewart said.
Student submissions to AJPS will be accepted if the work satisfies AJPS's requirements and is approved by a research professor.
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