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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. 
Jacqueline Saturn

I am Maxwell.

My time as a student at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School prepared me for my career in the music business in ways I never could have imagined. My passion for utilizing political and legal systems and structures to advocate for and protect people’s rights guides many of the most important decisions I make.”

Jacqueline Saturn ’90 B.A. (PSc)

President of Virgin Music Group North America, 2026 Maxwell | A&S Undergraduate Convocation Speaker

Read more.

Recent Faculty Books

Maxwell's Political Science Department faculty members publish award-winning books on a wide range of topics.  Scroll a sample of recently published works below, or visit the Maxwell Faculty Bookshelf for more.

Zhang Comments on the Impact of Immigration Issues on AI Researchers in Marketplace Article

September 15, 2023

Marketplace

Baobao Zhang

Baobao Zhang


American tech companies have been complaining for decades about the cap on the number of high-skilled visas. Some lawmakers have proposed creating an artificial intelligence (AI) visa specifically designed for AI talent. 

The good news is that AI talent from around the world still wants to come to the U.S. more than anywhere else to work in Silicon Valley or attend Stanford or UC Berkeley, two leading AI research schools.

The bad news is that when Baobao Zhang, assistant professor of political science and senior research associate in the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute, surveyed AI researchers she found that “69% of those who currently live in the U.S. say that visa and immigration issues are a serious problem for them conducting AI research.”

Read more in the Marketplace article, “Immigration reform seen as key to U.S. AI leadership.”

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

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Baobao Zhang

Zhang Comments on the Impact of Immigration Issues on AI Researchers in Marketplace Article

September 15, 2023

Marketplace

Baobao Zhang

Baobao Zhang


American tech companies have been complaining for decades about the cap on the number of high-skilled visas. Some lawmakers have proposed creating an artificial intelligence (AI) visa specifically designed for AI talent. 

The good news is that AI talent from around the world still wants to come to the U.S. more than anywhere else to work in Silicon Valley or attend Stanford or UC Berkeley, two leading AI research schools.

The bad news is that when Baobao Zhang, assistant professor of political science and senior research associate in the Autonomous Systems Policy Institute, surveyed AI researchers she found that “69% of those who currently live in the U.S. say that visa and immigration issues are a serious problem for them conducting AI research.”

Read more in the Marketplace article, “Immigration reform seen as key to U.S. AI leadership.”

Political Science Department
100 Eggers Hall