Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government

The Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government at UWF offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science, Political Science Pre-Law, and International Studies. The department offers Masters of Arts degrees in Political Science and International Affairs. Students may also minor in International Studies, Political Science, Political Science Pre-Law, and Spanish.

About the Program

Our students will gain an understanding of the problems that arise in the pursuit of the good life shared with others; study law, political institutions, and political leadership; learn to assess and compare the performance of regimes; and learn the problems of war, peace and contemporary political issues.

October 16, 2025 | American Foreign Policy Webinar

Trump 2.0 and the Pivot to Asia

Join us on Thursday, October 16, 2025, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. on Zoom Webinar for a discussion of the Trump administration’s foreign policy and its relations with allies and competitors across the Pacific. Faculty experts from the Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government will provide introductory remarks and then take questions from the audience.

Featured faculty include Dr. Brian Crisher, associate professor and specialist in international conflict and military capabilities; Dr. Elvis Kim, assistant professor with expertise in democratization, social movements, and East Asian politics; and Dr. Jacob Shively, associate dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities and associate professor, whose scholarship focuses on U.S. grand strategy and cybersecurity policy.

Register for Trump 2.0 Webinar

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March 27, 2025 | Askew Lecture

Debating American Grand Strategy in the Trump Era - Ionut Popescu and Jacob Shively

On March 27, 2025, the University of West Florida’s Askew Lecture Series welcomed more than 70 attendees from both campus and the broader Pensacola community to the Museum of Commerce for a timely and dynamic discussion on Debating American Grand Strategy in the Trump Era.

This year’s event featured Dr. Ionut Popescu, associate professor at Texas State University and U.S. Navy Intelligence officer, and Dr. Jacob Shively, associate professor of political science at UWF. Together, the two scholars explored how the return to a Trump presidency could reshape American foreign policy — raising urgent questions about global power dynamics, realism, and America's role on the world stage.

The evening opened with remarks from Dr. David Earle, Dean of the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, followed by a welcome and speaker introductions by Dr. David Ramsey, chair of the Reubin O'D. Askew Department of Government.

Drs. Shively and Popescu took the stage at dual podiums for a spirited exchange of perspectives. Dr. Shively examined themes of American internationalism, emphasizing military power, credible threats, trade integration, and the role of democracy versus autocracy. He argued that Trump’s likely approach would lean less on traditional realism and more toward hierarchical and nationalistic strategies — a neo-colonial model of foreign engagement that prioritizes domestic advantage over international cooperation.

Dr. Popescu presented a contrasting perspective grounded in realism, asserting that a more realist orientation would strengthen U.S. foreign policy. Drawing from his recent book No Peer Rivals, Popescu emphasized the importance of strategic focus on China as America's only true near-peer competitor. He argued that the United States should take deliberate steps to maintain its status as the dominant global power. Popescu also highlighted pressing concerns such as immigration, fentanyl trafficking, and the role of China in chemical precursor production, as well as economic perspectives on climate change — advocating for market-based solutions over regulatory measures.

The event concluded with a lively Q&A session and a book signing featuring both scholars’ latest works. Dr. Ionut Popescu signed copies of No Peer Rivals: American Grand Strategy in the Era of Great Power Competition (University of Michigan Press), while Dr. Jacob Shively signed copies of Make America First Again: Grand Strategy Analysis and the Trump Administration (Cambria Press).

This year’s Askew Lecture continued its tradition of fostering civic dialogue on urgent policy issues, honoring the legacy of Governor Reubin O’D. Askew and his commitment to thoughtful leadership and public service.

*This installment of the Experience UWF Downtown Lecture Series was sponsored by the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, the Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government, the John C. Pace Symposium Series, the Askew Lecture Series, and the Panhandle Tiger Bay Club.

**The Askew Lecture Series is a downtown community talk on current political issues and public policy topics. The lecture honors the legacy of the late Governor of Florida, Reubin O’D. Askew, the department’s namesake. Governor Askew was a champion of civic engagement known for tackling vital public policy issues of the day.

February 20, 2025 | Seligman Lecture

Book Censorship: Then and Now - Robert Spoo

The 2025 Seligman First Amendment Lecture brought together students, faculty, and community members for a compelling discussion on the evolving challenges of book censorship and intellectual freedom. Held on February 20, 2025, at the Museum of Commerce, the event featured Dr. Robert Spoo, a distinguished scholar of intellectual property law and literary censorship.

During his lecture, "Book Censorship: Then and Now," Professor Spoo examined the historical parallels between early 20th-century book bans and today’s growing censorship efforts, highlighting the legal and societal impacts of restricting literary works. Drawing on his expertise in modernist literature and copyright law, Spoo provided critical insights into how censorship debates shape public discourse and creative expression.

Following the lecture, attendees participated in a Q&A session, engaging in a thought-provoking discussion on free speech, book bans, and the role of literature in society. The event underscored the importance of First Amendment protections and the ongoing need for open dialogue on these pressing issues.

*The Seligman First Amendment Lecture Series fosters dialogue on campus and in the community about the First Amendment freedoms of religion, speech, press and association. It is made possible by a generous gift from the Jane G. and Fred K. Seligman Endowment.

October 10, 2024 | Constitution Day Lecture

The Constitution and Freedom of Speech - Dr. Elizabeth Amato

Continuing the University of West Florida's 2024 Constitution Day events, the Reubin O’D. Askew Department of Government hosted Dr. Elizabeth Amato, Associate Professor of Political Science for the Department of Social Science at Gardner Webb University, on Thursday, October 10, 2024 to speak on “The Constitution and Freedom of Speech.”

All UWF faculty, staff, students and alumni were invited. This lecture was also open to the public.

Watch Here

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