Political Science & Forensics
Founded in 2011, the Political Science & Forensics Department is home to courses from four distinct disciplines: forensics, political science, philosophy, and psychology. Our forensics courses offer something for everyone interested in public speaking and argumentation, whether you’re hoping to get more comfortable speaking in front of groups or looking to master the art of oratory. Our political science courses include introductory classes in both United States government and international relations, as well as a wide range of advanced electives. We even offer a variety of philosophy courses, covering such diverse topics as ethics and epistemology.
The department is also home to the Upper School’s world-class Model United Nations and competitive speech and debate programs. Our students have held leadership positions at some of the most prestigious MUN conferences in the world, won and been top speaker at the National Tournament of Champions in the United States, advanced to the International Public Policy Forum finals three times, reached elimination rounds of the National Speech and Debate Tournament in the United States, and won gold in every IASAS Cultural Convention event. Yet we also seek to give each and every student a chance to participate in these activities, regardless of their goals or current abilities. So please be sure to contact us to learn more about the wide range of opportunities that are available!
Political Science and Forensic Course Chart
A Tradition of Excellence
Course Offerings 2022-2023
- PUBLIC SPEAKING, RHETORIC, AND DEBATE (UPSF01)
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CIVICS AND CURRENT POLITICAL AND SOCIAL TOPICS (SEM. 1) (UPSF04S1)
CIVICS AND CURRENT POLITICAL AND SOCIAL TOPICS (SEM. 2) (UPSF04S2) - AP SEMINAR (UPSF10)
- AP RESEARCH (UPSF11)
- HONORS RESEARCH IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (UPSF051)
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SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SEM. 1) (UPSF51S1)
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SEM. 2) (UPSF51S2)
HONORS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SEM. 1) (UPSF51HS1)
HONORS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SEM. 2) (UPSF51HS2) -
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UPSF02)
HONORS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UPSF02H)
IBSL GLOBAL POLITICS (UPSF022) -
IBHL GLOBAL POLITICS 1 (UPSF031)
IBHL GLOBAL POLITICS 2 (UPSF032) - AP US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS/ PUBLIC POLICY (UPSF062)
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IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE 1 (UPSF31)
IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE 2 (UPSF32) - AP PSYCHOLOGY (UPSF21)
- IBSL PSYCHOLOGY (UPSF22)
- IBHL PSYCHOLOGY YEAR1 (UPSF241)
- IBHL PSYCHOLOGY YEAR2 (UPSF242)
PUBLIC SPEAKING, RHETORIC, AND DEBATE (UPSF01)
CIVICS AND CURRENT POLITICAL AND SOCIAL TOPICS (SEM. 1) (UPSF04S1)
CIVICS AND CURRENT POLITICAL AND SOCIAL TOPICS (SEM. 2) (UPSF04S2)
AP SEMINAR (UPSF10)
AP RESEARCH (UPSF11)
HONORS RESEARCH IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (UPSF051)
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SEM. 1) (UPSF51S1)
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SEM. 2) (UPSF51S2)
HONORS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SEM. 1) (UPSF51HS1)
HONORS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (SEM. 2) (UPSF51HS2)
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UPSF02)
HONORS INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS (UPSF02H)
IBSL GLOBAL POLITICS (UPSF022)
IBHL GLOBAL POLITICS 1 (UPSF031)
IBHL GLOBAL POLITICS 2 (UPSF032)
AP US GOVERNMENT & POLITICS/ PUBLIC POLICY (UPSF062)
IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE 1 (UPSF31)
IB THEORY OF KNOWLEDGE 2 (UPSF32)
AP PSYCHOLOGY (UPSF21)
IBSL PSYCHOLOGY (UPSF22)
IBHL PSYCHOLOGY YEAR1 (UPSF241)
IBHL PSYCHOLOGY YEAR2 (UPSF242)
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2018 | International Public Policy Forum: Elite 8 International Public Policy Forum: Round of 64 Duke National High School Moot Court Tournament: Elite 8 Duke National High School Moot Court Tournament: Sweet 16 Duke National High School Moot Court Tournament: Round of 32 Nanke International Forensics Tournament: Champions in Varsity Lincoln Douglas Debate, Varsity Impromptu Speaking, and JV Impromptu Speaking |
2017 | International Public Policy Forum: Elite 8 National Tournament of Champions: International Bracket Champions National Tournament of Champions: 2nd Place International Speaker Duke National High School Moot Court Tournament: Round of 32 |
2016 | National Tournament of Champions: Top International Speaker (2nd Overall) National Tournament of Champions: Semifinalist National Tournament of Champions: Quarterfinalist National Tournament of Champions: Octafinalist IASAS Gold: Extemporaneous Speaking |
2015 | International Public Policy Forum: Sweet 16 IASAS Gold: Extemporaneous Speaking & Impromptu Speaking Stanford National Forensics Invitational: Quarterfinalist (Original Oratory) |
2014 | International Public Policy Forum: Elite 8 International Public Policy Forum: Sweet 16 IASAS Gold: Debate, Original Oratory, & Oral Interpretation |
2013 | International Public Policy Forum: Round of 32 National Speech & Debate Tournament: Round of 60 (Original Oratory) National Speech & Debate Tournament: Round 8 (Lincoln Douglas Debate) IASAS Gold: Extemporaneous Speaking & Original Oratory |
2012 | International Public Policy Forum: Round of 32 IASAS Gold: Extemporaneous Speaking Nanke International Forensics Tournament: Debate Champions |
2011 | International Debate Educational Association Mixed Team Tournament: Member of Championship Team |