• Department of Political Science

    The Department of Political Science is devoted to the study of politics and government, domestically and abroad. 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; and the interactions between and among nation-states and transnational organizations that shape patterns of trade and development, conflict and cooperation, war and peace.

    At the undergraduate level, political science majors will be exposed to political inquiry across a broad array of substantive topics, while also concentrating in one of the following areas: American Politics & History, Law & Politics, Political Economy, Political Participation & Mobilization, Global Governance & Foreign Policy, Political Violence & Conflict, Public Policy, Parties & Elections, Comparative Politics, Citizenship & Democracy, or Political Thought & Philosophy.

    At the graduate level, 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 & Policy, Law & Courts, or Security Studies.

  • Commitment to Inclusion

    The Maxwell School stands in support of all students demanding change in the face of racism and hate speech on our campus. We are committed to making our school and our university a more inclusive and just community for all.

    There is absolutely no place here for behavior or language that degrades any individual or group’s race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, disability or religious beliefs.

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    Reeher quoted in Daily Star story on adding national motto to NYS flag

    In his recent State of the State speech, Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed adding the national motto, "e pluribus unum," to New York's state flag. Professor Grant Reeher says the proposal "appears to be driven by a desire to react to the president." He was interviewed for the Daily Star article "Cuomo proposes adding national motto to state flag."

     

    Taylor quoted in Wash Post article on Putin's post-presidency plans

    "Since Putin cannot remain as president after 2024 under the current rules, he needs to change the rules. This will potentially allow him to remain the dominant political actor even if he leaves the presidency," says Professor Brian Taylor. He was interviewed for the Washington Post article "Putin’s plans post-presidency could see him wielding influence for life."

     

    Reeher weighs in on Sanders-Warren fight in the Hill

    "I don’t think the conflict between Warren and Sanders will help Biden, at least of the face of it," says Professor Grant Reeher. "The two of them are struggling for the same general bloc of Democratic voters, and Biden is offering an alternative to both of them..." Reeher was interviewed for the Hill article "Biden could be winner in Warren-Sanders fight."