School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs
Investigation. Analysis. Impact.
Join a dynamic community of critical thinkers dedicated to deepening our understanding of politics and society. You’ll develop strengths in logic and ethics and bring together communications technologies with research methodologies to address real-world problems.
Faculty across political science, philosophy, and public affairs bring a wide range of expertise to the classroom and mentor students in hands-on research that explores pressing global and local issues.
At WSU, you’ll find a collaborative learning environment and meaningful opportunities to apply your knowledge in service to society and the public good
Featured Courses
Military Ethics (PHIL 390)
Explore war and moral injury, coming home for military members, women in war and ethics and orders.
Philosophy of Mind (PHIL 442)
Address a variety of interconnected philosophical questions about the mind. Including what mental states are, how the mind relates to the body, and what exactly it takes to think and have conscious experiences
School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs in the News
GW Hatchet- GWU students report smooth mail-in ballot delivery during midterm election cycle after delays in 2024
Thessalia Merivaki, director of the Foley Institute, provided insights about mail-in ballots for D.C.-area college students in this article from the GWU Hatchet.
Center for Technology and Democracy- Betting on the Ballot? How Prediction Markets Can Reshape the Election Environment
Thessalia Merivaki, director of the Foley Institute, co-authored an article for the Center for Technology and Democracy looking at how prediction markets are shaping the information environment around the 2026 midterms and the implications for election administration.
VoterCast- How did you thank your election heroes this year?
This opinion column from Lia Merivaki, director of the Foley Institute, discusses inviting elections officials from the state of Washington and Whitman County to speak with the WSU community about how voting in Washington state works and how they engage with voters on the ground.
Misinformation efforts shift to target AI ahead of 2026 midterm elections
Bad actors seeking to misinform potential voters are taking a new approach.