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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. 
Mazaher Kaila

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”

D'Amico quoted in Christian Science Monitor article on the 2020 UN General Assembly

September 28, 2020

Christian Science Monitor

Francine D’Amico

Francine D’Amico


U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres noted in his address opening the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tuesday that the world is at "another 1945 moment," referring to the hinge year that saw both the end of World War II and the founding of the U.N. "The U.S. chose multilateralism in 1945, and we were able to remake the world in our image, and in ways that served our interests," says Francine D’Amico, teaching professor of international relations. "But now Trump’s theme seems not to be America as leader or partner, but more of an America-focused individualism," she says. Read more in the Christian Science Monitor article "At UN assembly quieted by a pandemic, the US-China clash is loud." 09/28/20

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

Baobao Zhang

D'Amico quoted in Christian Science Monitor article on the 2020 UN General Assembly

September 28, 2020

Christian Science Monitor

Francine D’Amico

Francine D’Amico


U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres noted in his address opening the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Tuesday that the world is at "another 1945 moment," referring to the hinge year that saw both the end of World War II and the founding of the U.N. "The U.S. chose multilateralism in 1945, and we were able to remake the world in our image, and in ways that served our interests," says Francine D’Amico, teaching professor of international relations. "But now Trump’s theme seems not to be America as leader or partner, but more of an America-focused individualism," she says. Read more in the Christian Science Monitor article "At UN assembly quieted by a pandemic, the US-China clash is loud." 09/28/20

Political Science Department
100 Eggers Hall