Skip to content
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 Speaks With Chronicle-Tribune About 2024 Political Tension, Violence

March 23, 2024

Chronicle-Tribune

Shana Kushner Gadarian

Shana Kushner Gadarian


According to a Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) survey, nearly one-quarter of Americans believe political violence may be necessary if the elections don’t go their way in 2024, illustrating that political tension in the U.S. is on the rise as the 2024 elections loom later this year.

Shana Gadarian, professor of political science and associate dean for research, isn’t shocked by the outcomes of the PRRI political poll. “It is not super surprising that people who still are willing to identify as Republican and want to vote Republican to say, ‘Yes, I’m okay with violence,’” she says.

“The Republican party now has a leader who has been very clear, in his speeches, rhetoric and actions, that he has authoritarian tendencies. He [President Donald Trump] doesn’t have a lot of respect for the norms of democracy, and he is willing to use violence and call on others to use violence to save power,” says Gadarian.

Read more in the Chronicle-Tribune article, “2024 Political Tension Increases Support for Violence and Authoritarianism.” 

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 Speaks With Chronicle-Tribune About 2024 Political Tension, Violence

March 23, 2024

Chronicle-Tribune

Shana Kushner Gadarian

Shana Kushner Gadarian


According to a Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) survey, nearly one-quarter of Americans believe political violence may be necessary if the elections don’t go their way in 2024, illustrating that political tension in the U.S. is on the rise as the 2024 elections loom later this year.

Shana Gadarian, professor of political science and associate dean for research, isn’t shocked by the outcomes of the PRRI political poll. “It is not super surprising that people who still are willing to identify as Republican and want to vote Republican to say, ‘Yes, I’m okay with violence,’” she says.

“The Republican party now has a leader who has been very clear, in his speeches, rhetoric and actions, that he has authoritarian tendencies. He [President Donald Trump] doesn’t have a lot of respect for the norms of democracy, and he is willing to use violence and call on others to use violence to save power,” says Gadarian.

Read more in the Chronicle-Tribune article, “2024 Political Tension Increases Support for Violence and Authoritarianism.” 

Political Science Department
100 Eggers Hall