Student Organizations and Activities

The Department of Political and Global Affairs supports a variety of student organizations and activities, including Mock Trial, Legal Studies Society, Model United Nations, and Mediation. These activities help students learn valuable skills, build knowledge, and encourage camaraderie and pre-professional networking.

Make yourself more career-ready in areas like law, education, public service, and more with an engaging, constructive, and fun activity! 

Mock Trial

MTSU Mock Trial is a mock trial simulation that teaches the basics of trial courts. Students participate as either witnesses or lawyers. Participants learn to prepare and deliver opening and closing statements, direct and cross-examinations, and learn how to argue evidentiary objections. Students also become familiar with more subtle aspects of trial work such as courtroom appearance and demeanor. Students are coached by MTSU faculty members and local practicing attorneys.

You can get course credit for Mock Trial or just join for the experience! Open to all students interested. Check out their website & social media.

Legal Studies Society

The Legal Studies Society is a student-run organization for all students interested in legal studies. They participate in events & workshops that help prepare for law school, the LSAT exam, etc. LSS routinely hosts events, meetings, study groups, and networking opportunities related to the legal field and admissions process. Open to all students interested in the legal field.

Check out their website & social media. Contact Dr. David Trowbridge (advisor) for more information.

Model United Nations & Society for International Affairs

The Model United Nations at MTSU is part of the Society for International Affairs (SIA). This student club holds meetings to discuss global issues and to prepare for future Model UN competitions. All majors are encouraged to participate, and meeting times will be posted ahead of time on the Society’s bulletin board outside of room 211 in Peck Hall.

Anyone who is interested in political science, social studies, international law and international organization, geography, global affairs, or current events will find the Model UN educating, engaging, and fun. Among the valuable attributes acquired and honed through active participation in Model UN are debate, research, negotiation, parliamentary procedure, and creative thinking.

Interested students are invited to contact SIA/MUN faculty adviser Dr. Jon DiCicco, Professor of Political Science and International Relations, for more information.

Honors Societies

Political Science – The department is also proud to host a chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, which recognizes students’ extraordinary academic achievement and brings notable guest speakers to campus to discuss current topics of interest to members of the political science and international relations community.

Recent keynote speakers for the Pi Sigma Alpha induction ceremonies at MTSU include Dr. Lena Surzhko Harned, associate director of the Public Policy Fund at Penn State Behrend, who spoke about Russia’s war in Ukraine, and Dr. Naazneen Barma, director of the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy and associate professor in the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver, who addressed the problems and prospects of governance in Afghanistan.

Please contact Dr. Robb McDaniel (Pre-Law & Political Science) for additional information.

Global Studies & Human Geography – The PGA department hosts a chapter of Gamma Theta Upsilon, an international honor society for students of Geography. GTU was founded in 1928 and became a national organization in 1931. Members of GTU have met academic requirements and share a background and interest in geography.

Each year we host a ceremony to induct new members who meet academic requirements.

Membership confers privileges to honorees, and an annual ceremony marks the occasion of the induction and celebrates the collective accomplishments of inductees.

You can contact Dr. Francis Koti (Global Studies) for more information.