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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”

McDowell Quoted in Business Insider Article on Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina

April 11, 2024

Business Insider

Daniel McDowell

Daniel McDowell


Russia's economy was supposed to implode and collapse after the West slapped it with sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. But Russian central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina played a key role in stabilizing their sanctions-hit economy.

"Nabiullina has been very effective at stabilizing the Russian economy, despite the enormous economic pressure from sanctions," says Daniel McDowell, associate professor of political science.

"While the standard of living in Russia has declined under sanctions, conditions would likely be much worse were it not for her shrewd decisions," McDowell adds. "I think it is fair to say that she is writing the playbook for how to respond to external sanctions pressure."

Read more in the Business Insider article, "Meet the woman who engineered Russia's wartime economy and helped secure another term for Putin."

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

McDowell Quoted in Business Insider Article on Russian Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina

April 11, 2024

Business Insider

Daniel McDowell

Daniel McDowell


Russia's economy was supposed to implode and collapse after the West slapped it with sanctions over its invasion of Ukraine. But Russian central bank governor Elvira Nabiullina played a key role in stabilizing their sanctions-hit economy.

"Nabiullina has been very effective at stabilizing the Russian economy, despite the enormous economic pressure from sanctions," says Daniel McDowell, associate professor of political science.

"While the standard of living in Russia has declined under sanctions, conditions would likely be much worse were it not for her shrewd decisions," McDowell adds. "I think it is fair to say that she is writing the playbook for how to respond to external sanctions pressure."

Read more in the Business Insider article, "Meet the woman who engineered Russia's wartime economy and helped secure another term for Putin."

Political Science Department
100 Eggers Hall