Skip to main content

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University
Advanced search
Information For...
  • Current Students
  • Parents & Family
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Alumni
Quick Links
  • COVID-19
  • Give
  • Maps
  • Employment
  • Library
  • AppalNet
  • AsULearn
  • A-Z
Main Menu
  • Why Choose App?
  • Visit
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • Campus Life
  • About
  • Home
  • Academics

Faculty Profile: Dr. William Hicks

December 8, 2015
By Stephanie Sansoucy ’16

Dr. William Hicks came to Appalachian State University in fall 2014 because of the school’s reputation as a “great school full of really great students,” and as most people say, a love for the setting.

“Learning complicated ideas requires an investment in time and effort,” Hicks said. “App students are willing to make that investment. For that reason, teaching at App State is really exciting and rewarding.”

Hicks’ research areas are democracy, elections and representation. He is currently researching laws that require American citizens to show photo identification in order to vote and the impact of partisan competition on representation in American state governments.

Graduate students in political science have helped Hicks compile data on both topics. However, Hicks said, students in all of his classes help him with his research by allowing him to improve his theories and evidence through in-class discussions.

Studying elections is important because of how elections affect representation in our democracy, Hicks said.

“The conditions surrounding an election determine how well it delivers a representative government,” Hicks said. “It’s important for everyone to discover these conditions so that each of us can better exercise our own political power.”

Hicks said he wants students who are interested in political science to consider that “political science is not about proving that one worldview, ideology or party is better than another. Instead, regardless of their personal feelings, political scientists should weigh the costs and benefits of various points of view.”

Meet more faculty

  • Dr. William Hicks teaches political science and researches elections and representation.

apply

Apply

visit

Visit

connect

Connect

programs

Degrees

Program

  • Political Science (BA)

    The Political Science (BA) degree has a strong liberal arts focus and prepares students for many careers in the private and public sector – including business, law, government at all levels, journalism, political campaigns, interest groups and more.

Department

  • Department of Government and Justice Studies

    Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at gjs.appstate.edu

College

  • College of Arts and Sciences

    The College of Arts and Sciences at Appalachian State University houses 16 academic departments spanning the humanities, social sciences, and the mathematical and natural sciences.

Appalachian Cares

It's up to me|us

Appalachian Cares is a place to find resources and support available for our students faculty and staff regarding student health and safety.

  • Accessibility
  • Bookstore
  • Contact Us
  • Emergency
  • Employment
  • Equal Opportunity Policy
  • Maps
  • Pay Bills
  • Policy Manual
  • Title IX

Connect

Facebook logo Twitter logo Youtube logo Insatgram logo

Connect with Appalachian's social media accounts from university programs, departments and administrative units.

Appalachian State University

Appalachian State University

287 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28608 | 828-262-2000 | Copyright 2022 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Website manager: waterworthae (wycoffdn) | Website feedback