department faculty

Dr. William Parsons

Bill Parsons earned his B.A. from the University of Maine and his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Toronto. He teaches courses in ancient and modern political thought, as well as comparative politics. Other duties include serving as the department's political and legal internship coordinator and as the faculty advisor to Carroll's chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha. Bill's current project is a study of the political thought of Thomas Paine. When he is not rigorously appraising student essays, he can be found getting himself lost on the back roads of Montana.

Dr. Erik Pratt

Received his Ph.D. in political science with emphasis in international relations from the University of California, Riverside, and his M.A. from California State University, Fullerton. Before coming to Carroll in the fall of 1990, he taught at College of the Desert and Cal-State Fullerton. He has published a book entitled Selling Strategic Defense and several articles concerning international issues. Dr. Pratt has been a National Endowment for the Humanities scholar in ethics and international affairs and a Fulbright scholar to China, as well as a Research Fellow at the Federation of American Scientists in Washington, D.C. and at the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation in La Jolla, California. When not coaching his expert negotiating team, he can be found fly fishing on the Dearborn River, waiting for the perfect catch.

Courses Taught: International Relations, US Foreign Policy, War & Peace, the Developing World, World Order & Interdependence, the Post-communist World, Research Seminar, International Negotiations, and Senior Seminar.

Dennis Wiedmann

Dennis studied American politics at the University of California, Riverside. A professor at Carroll College since 1971, he teaches courses in American politics. While a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship recipient, he studied American political parties at the University of California at Berkeley. In 1991 he was awarded the Burlington Northern Outstanding Teaching Award. Professor Wiedmann is also active in Montana state and local politics. When not in his office, Professor Wiedmann can usually be found at the local golf course learning patience and humility.

Courses Taught: Contemporary Issues in American Politics, Elections, Political Parties & Public Opinion, US Congress, Political Internship Program, Legal Internship Program, American National Government, Montana State Politics, American Presidency, Senior Seminar.