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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”

Gadarian Quoted in BNN Bloomberg, USA Today Articles on Politics and Abortion

April 17, 2024

BNN Bloomberg,USA Today

Shana Kushner Gadarian

Shana Kushner Gadarian


Florida's Supreme Court ruled last week to allow a ballot initiative that will ask voters whether to enshrine abortion access in the state's Constitution. Democrats argue the measure will drive voter turnout, especially among progressive and young voters, boosting Biden's prospects there.

While enthusiasm appears an uphill battle, with about seven months until the election, Shana Gadarian, professor of political science and associate dean for research, tells USA Today there is still plenty of time to get voters' attention. 

“Maybe people aren't enthusiastic about Joe Biden or Donald Trump,” she says, referring to the major parties’ presumptive presidential nominees. “But they are going to care about other issues that are going to get them out to the polls, and the candidates and the parties are going to do a lot of work to get them to understand what is at stake in this election.” 

Trump has pledged to leave abortion policy up the states, resisting pressure from anti-abortion groups to agree on a federal abortion limit. Gadarian tells BNN Bloomberg this doesn't do his party any favors.

His position “allows for competitiveness of Democrats in states where these state bans are still in flux, and where Democrats have the potential to put constitutional amendments up for the voters to vote directly on,” Gadarian says. “That has been a story that’s been pretty successful so far for Democrats.”

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

Gadarian Quoted in BNN Bloomberg, USA Today Articles on Politics and Abortion

April 17, 2024

BNN Bloomberg,USA Today

Shana Kushner Gadarian

Shana Kushner Gadarian


Florida's Supreme Court ruled last week to allow a ballot initiative that will ask voters whether to enshrine abortion access in the state's Constitution. Democrats argue the measure will drive voter turnout, especially among progressive and young voters, boosting Biden's prospects there.

While enthusiasm appears an uphill battle, with about seven months until the election, Shana Gadarian, professor of political science and associate dean for research, tells USA Today there is still plenty of time to get voters' attention. 

“Maybe people aren't enthusiastic about Joe Biden or Donald Trump,” she says, referring to the major parties’ presumptive presidential nominees. “But they are going to care about other issues that are going to get them out to the polls, and the candidates and the parties are going to do a lot of work to get them to understand what is at stake in this election.” 

Trump has pledged to leave abortion policy up the states, resisting pressure from anti-abortion groups to agree on a federal abortion limit. Gadarian tells BNN Bloomberg this doesn't do his party any favors.

His position “allows for competitiveness of Democrats in states where these state bans are still in flux, and where Democrats have the potential to put constitutional amendments up for the voters to vote directly on,” Gadarian says. “That has been a story that’s been pretty successful so far for Democrats.”

Political Science Department
100 Eggers Hall