Understand the people, policies, institutions and organizations that shape public life. As a student of political science, you will gain essential analytical and organizational skills that can be applied to exciting careers in government, law, business, international organizations, nonprofit organizations, survey research, journalism and teaching.
The Political Science Department is devoted to the study of politics and government; this includes the study of:
political institutions that exercise government authority, including legislatures, courts and administrative agencies;
political organizations through which individuals and groups seek to reshape the political landscape, including parties, interest groups and social movements;
public policies that reflect governmental efforts to regulate the actions of individuals and corporations, including civil rights, immigration and environmental policy;
the interactions between and among nation-states and;
transnational organizations that shape patterns of trade and development, conflict and cooperation, war, and peace.
33
full-time faculty teaching and conducting research in political science
66%
of Maxwell faculty conduct research focused outside of the U.S.
50
graduate students in residence; fewer than 12 admitted each year
Undergraduate Studies
Studying political science will help you understand the workings of political life at the local, national and international levels and will prepare you for a lifetime of active and informed citizenship. The Department of Political Science at Syracuse University has more than thirty full-time faculty that teach a wide variety of courses in multiple subject areas. We will guide you as you explore the world of politics and hone your skills as a researcher, analyst and writer.
Graduate Studies
Master’s and doctoral students receive broad training in quantitative and qualitative methods of social science research, while also concentrating in two of the following substantive fields: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public administration and policy, law and courts, or security studies.
I am Maxwell.
Civic engagement is a core value for me. I have always aspired to help the communities I’m from.” Mazaher Kaila, a Maxwell alumna and third-year student at Syracuse University's College of Law, moved with her family from Sudan to Central New York when she was four years old. “I realized that to make meaningful change in society, I needed to understand the systems that power it—government and politics—and that’s insight I would gain by studying political science.”
Mazaher Kaila ’19, L’22
political science, law
Read Kaila's story, “A Powerful Voice for Justice”
Reeher Weighs in on Gov. Hochul's 2022 Strategy in Spectrum News Piece
January 4, 2022
Related:
People
Grant Reeher
Departments
Political Science Department
Research
Campbell Public Affairs Institute
Topics
COVID-19
New York State
Grant Reeher
In New York, COVID-19 and politics are inextricably linked, which could get very complicated for Gov. Kathy Hochul.“What I see her doing right now is pushing restrictions and regulations about as far as they can be pushed given the appetite of the people for them at this point,” says Professor Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. “I think she’s done a good job of trying to figure out where that tipping point or that balance point is and run right up against it.” Read more in the Spectrum News article, “2022 will be Hochul’s magni momenti annus.”
Related News
See All News
Commentary
Aug 5, 2024
Wolf Summarizes Study on COVID-19 Distancing Restrictions, Drug Overdoses on Academic Minute
Addiction, COVID-19, , U.S. Health Policy, United States
Commentary
Aug 5, 2024
Rubinstein Discusses Lead Poisoning in Onondaga County on WCNY’s CONNECT NY
Children, Adolescents, Health Policy, Infrastructure, New York State, Urban Issues
Commentary
Jul 11, 2024
Huber Talks to WRVO About the Climate Crisis and Its Impact on Working-Class People
Climate Change, Energy, New York State,
Research
Jul 2, 2024
Characteristics Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among US Working-Age Adults
COVID-19, Government, United States
BaoBao Zhang Joins First Cohort of AI2050 Early Career Fellows
One of only 15 scholars chosen from across the U.S., Zhang will receive up to $200,000 in research funding over the next two years. Zhang will use the funding to partner with the nonprofit, non-partisan Center for New Democratic Processes to test whether public participation in AI governance is increased through the creation of public assemblies, known as “deliberative democracy workshops.”
Baobao Zhang
Assistant Professor, Political Science Department
Read More
Reeher Weighs in on Gov. Hochul's 2022 Strategy in Spectrum News Piece
January 4, 2022
Related:
People
Grant Reeher
Departments
Political Science Department
Research
Campbell Public Affairs Institute
Topics
COVID-19
New York State
Grant Reeher
In New York, COVID-19 and politics are inextricably linked, which could get very complicated for Gov. Kathy Hochul.“What I see her doing right now is pushing restrictions and regulations about as far as they can be pushed given the appetite of the people for them at this point,” says Professor Grant Reeher, director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. “I think she’s done a good job of trying to figure out where that tipping point or that balance point is and run right up against it.” Read more in the Spectrum News article, “2022 will be Hochul’s magni momenti annus.”
Related News
See All News
Commentary
Aug 5, 2024
Wolf Summarizes Study on COVID-19 Distancing Restrictions, Drug Overdoses on Academic Minute
Addiction, COVID-19, , U.S. Health Policy, United States
Commentary
Aug 5, 2024
Rubinstein Discusses Lead Poisoning in Onondaga County on WCNY’s CONNECT NY
Children, Adolescents, Health Policy, Infrastructure, New York State, Urban Issues
Commentary
Jul 11, 2024
Huber Talks to WRVO About the Climate Crisis and Its Impact on Working-Class People
Climate Change, Energy, New York State,
Research
Jul 2, 2024
Characteristics Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Among US Working-Age Adults
COVID-19, Government, United States
Political Science Department Events
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