The School of Politics, Philosophy, and Public Affairs offers a variety of student clubs for experiential learning.

Ethics Bowl

The Ethics Bowl is a regional and a national debate competition, organized by the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics (APPE). Each year the APPE distributes 15 cases in applied ethics: typical issues include healthcare (is there a right to healthcare?), environmental and animal concerns (do endangered species have rights?), and fair trade (should we avoid products from ”sweatshops?”). In short our teams work hard to prepare these cases for debates against other schools. Team members meet weekly in the fall to prepare for the regional tournament, held in November. Ethics Bowl is open to all undergraduates with an interest in applied ethics and improving their debating skills. Contact the faculty advisor for more information.

Faculty Advisor:

Dr. Michael Goldsby
Johnson Tower 824
509-335-0942

Mock Trial

The WSU Mock Trial Team is a dynamic group of highly motivated students. The team is made up of individuals from all majors who work together to master the American Mock Trial Association’s annual case problem and then compete against other colleges and universities from across the United States.

The case problem is a particular scenario running well over a hundred pages that lays out a particular factual event culminating in a court trial. The “problem” is to develop a case theory, build characters from the available witnesses, and put forth the best possible case and argument.

The students must master specific roles as either witnesses or attorney’s. The work is a combination of legal trial practice and theater.

Founded in 2003, the WSU Mock Trial Team quickly established itself in regional competitions as a team to watch, earning the right to compete at national championship tournaments every year since 2006.

More Information
School of Politics, Philosophy, & Public Affairs
Johnson Tower 801
509-335-2544

Pre-Law Resource Center
CUE 502 (Center for Undergraduate Education)
509-335-2325

Philosophy Club

Club Officers:

President : Daniel Hayward
Vice President : Christine Dickens
Secretary : Amber Skogen
Treasurer : Hannah Atchison
Public Relations : Jillian Miesner
Event Chair : Slade McLaughlin

Check us out on facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/WSU-Philosophy-Club-1051236565047988/

Faculty Advisor:
Dr. Michael Goldsby
Johnson Tower 824
509-335-0942

Political Science Club

Who are we?

The PSCWSU is a non-partisan organization open to all Undergraduate and Graduate students of Washington State University. The purpose of the PSCWSU is to encourage political efficacy and participation amongst all students. The PSCWSU hosts guest speakers to spark invigorating cross-partisan conversation and political debate, increases informed voters through the discussion of key political topics, and works to facilitate a civilized cross-partisan environment on campus and in the Pullman community. Our meetings are open to anyone with no major requirements and our goal is to facilitate conversations among students of all different backgrounds.

What do we do?

PSCWSU holds regular open meetings for students of all political ideologies to share perspectives on important political issues and current events. Any student is open to present a topic for discussion or create a presentation around a certain issue and we just hope to host an hour of fun and learning! Previous discussions have focused on topics such as the government shutdown, free speech and hate speech, Brexit, the migrant crisis at the U.S. border, the Venezuelan crisis, and more!

PSCWSU organizes community engagement and membership activities such as co-sponsorship of a student debate with the Center for Civic Engagement on election issues, hosting a BYOB (Bring Your Own Ballot) event to inform students of each candidate and initiative featured in the 2018 midterm elections, sponsoring WSU-Pullman student representatives to attend a conference at WSU Vancouver on facilitating civil political discourse in a polarized society, and much more. The club will be hosting a Political Civility Workshop on March 27 to help students and community members learn techniques to engage in positive political discourse.

How to contact us:

For more information, please visit www.facebook.com/WSUPoliticalScienceClub or email wsupoliticalscienceclub@gmail.com.

Find us on Instagram @wsu_poli_sci

Club Officers:
President: Sophie Mejia
Vice-President: Rachel Simmons
Secretary: Aimee Sulit
Social Media Chair: Gabe Righi

Faculty Advisor:
Amy Mazur
Johnson Tower 822
509-335-4615
mazur@wsu.edu

Pre-Law Society

The purpose of the WSU Pre-Law Society is to promote the interaction between students and the legal structures that form the basis of civil governance. Through this, we promote the personal and professional development of our membership.

WSU Pre Law seeks to serve as an institution that brings like-minded students together in an effort to interact and examine the legal structures that govern our society. To this end, our engagements include preparation for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), guest speakers from the legal field, law school and legal practice visitation, admissions panels, internship facilitation and civil service.

We welcome all students interested in the study and/or future practice of law.

WSU Pre-Law Advisor
Cornell Clayton
cwclayton@wsu.edu
Bryan 316
509-335-3477
Useful Links:
Pre-Law Resource Center (PLRC)

 

Political Science Honors Society

Pi Sigma Alpha is the National Political Science Honor Society, and it’s purpose is to recognize and promote high academic achievement in the field of political science. Political Science majors with a 3.0 GPA or higher can be invited to join, and membership is for life. Membership will allow you to take advantage of Chapter and National level funding, services and activities.

Founded in 1939 by Charles O. Johnson our chapter has more than 900 members. In Fall 2017,  of the School of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA), WSU’s chapter was relaunched.

Political Science majors with a 3.0 GPA or higher are invited to become members. Membership is $35 with the possibility of purchasing an honor chord and pin for a minimal additional amount.

Membership allows you to take advantage of Chapter and National level funding, services and activities, and looks great on your resumé.

Faculty Advisor:

Amy Mazur
Johnson Tower 822
509-335-4615
mazur@wsu.edu