OPSA AT A GLANCE
Our Annual Conference
The Oklahoma Political Science Association (OPSA)
is the professional organizations of Oklahoma political
scientists and practitioners. Drawing on political scientists
and practitioners from across the state, the OPSA brings
together scholars from all fields of inquiry and occupational
endeavors within and outside academe in order to expand
understanding of politics and policies. Membership is open
to anyone with an interest in the state’s politics.
The Association fosters interdisciplinary dialogue among
faculty, students, and practitioners during its annual
conference in November. Featuring a wide range of faculty,
student, and practitioner panels as well as roundtables
and prominent keynote speakers, the annual conference
provides an intellectually stimulating forum conducive
to research, practice, and teaching in all fields of political
science.
Our Journal: Oklahoma Politics
Our Awards
The Oklahoma Politics journal explores the broad
context of politics affecting Oklahoma and its place in
the surrounding region. We are especially interested in
submissions that bring to bear a variety of methodological,
analytical, and disciplinary perspectives on state and
local politics of the central-south region of the United
States: Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas,
Arkansas, and Louisiana. Because “politics” cannot be
thoroughly explored from only a single disciplinary point
of view trans-disciplinary and collaborative projects are
encouraged.
Though we are the journal of the Oklahoma Political
Science Association, we encourage submissions from
economists, sociologists, environmental scientists,
policymakers, analysts, as well as political scientists and
other scientists and practitioners whose substantive research
bears on the politics and issues of the state and region.
Politics
Volume 19
Dr. Tony Wohlers
Editor of Oklahoma Politics
Office of Academic Enrichment
Cameron University
Lawton, OK 73505
Phone: 580-581-2496
E-mail: awohlers@cameron.edu
Oklahoma Politics
Published every November, Oklahoma Politics is a fully
peer reviewed journal. Each submission receives at least
three anonymous reviews and each is reviewed by the
editors before a decision is made to accept a manuscript for
publication. For inquiries and manuscript
Oklahoma
submission please contact:
Oklahoma Political Science Association
Recognizing excellence in the profession of political science
and service to the Association is one of the most important
activities we engage in as an Association. To this end, the
Association has established a number of awards covering
such areas as teaching, scholarly activities, papers, and other
career achievements.
Award Description
Teacher of the Year Honors current instructional faculty of any
institutions of higher education in Oklahoma
who display exemplary skills in teaching political
science classes.
Scholar of the Year
Best Graduate Paper*
Honors a person in Oklahoma who has made
significant scholarly contributions to political
science.
Honors a graduate student who has written the
best paper as determined by the OPSA Award
Committee.
Best Undergraduate
Paper*
Honors an undergraduate student who has
written the best paper as determined by the
OPSA Award Committee.
Robert Darcy Lifetime
Achievement
Honors individuals who have made significant
and lasting contributions to the Association in
terms of leadership, research, and mentorship.
Saundra Mace Service
Award
Honors support staff persons for excellence in
job performance, attitude, and commitment.
opsaonline.com
Our Mission
Our Membership and Benefits
Drawing on political scientists and practitioners from across the state, the Association brings together scholars from all fields of inquiry
and occupational endeavors within and outside academe in order to expand understanding of politics and policies. Membership is open
to anyone with an interest in the state’s politics and, depending on the membership category, comes along with a number of benefits.
Membership
Category
Annual Dues
Conference
Fees
Quarterly
Newsletter
E-Journal
E-Directory
Voting Rights
Hold Office
Student Basic
$0
$15*
Yes
---
---
---
---
Student
Supporting
$10
$15*
Yes
Yes
Yes
---
---
Faculty Basic
$0
$75
Yes
---
---
---
---
Faculty
Supporting
$20
$75
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Affiliate Basic
$0
$75
Yes
---
---
---
---
Affiliate
Supporting
$20
$75
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Lifetime**
$0
$30
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
* The conference fee is waived if the student is attending a college or university that is an institutional member of OPSA (see website for more details on institutional membership and benefits).
** Lifetime members pay a one-time fee of $100.
Our New Initiative
Among the more than 190 countries worldwide that are recognized by the United Nations, 123 are said to be democratic. The
governments of these countries are characterized by the participation of its people, under whatever form that may be. But what
do we mean when we talk about democracy and what are the implications for us as citizens? We acknowledge that not everyone
can be well informed and that those who seek elected or appointed public offices are well prepared or informed as they can be
about the duties, responsibilities, and limitations of the office. In an effort to strengthen democratic government in the United
States and especially in the State of Oklahoma, We the People...for the Common Good aims at providing comprehensive
information about the duties and responsibilities of elected and appointed officials in Oklahoma at the state, county, and
municipal level of government. Available via the OPSA website, the database will encompass the duties and responsibilities of
elected and appointed officials in Oklahoma at the state, county, and municipal level of government.