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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”

Thompson Talks to WRVO About the Scrutiny Surrounding Rep. George Santos

January 18, 2023

WRVO

Margaret Susan Thompson

Margaret Susan Thompson


Long Island Rep. George Santos (R-NY) continues to face scrutiny for fabricating his background including his education, employment and financial history. Several Republicans in the state have called for him to resign, but others say it's not their place to make that call. Santos has said he will not step down.

The next chance voters could have a say is two years from now in the next election as Margaret Thompson, associate professor of history and political science points out.

"The voters who elected Mr. Santos did so on the basis of the way he presented himself, which, as we now know, included a lot of fabricated information," Thompson says. "They decided on the basis of his false pretenses. So they can't really decide. There's no mechanism for a recall election."

Read more in the WRVO article, "New York Republicans differ over whether Rep. George Santos should resign."

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

Thompson Talks to WRVO About the Scrutiny Surrounding Rep. George Santos

January 18, 2023

WRVO

Margaret Susan Thompson

Margaret Susan Thompson


Long Island Rep. George Santos (R-NY) continues to face scrutiny for fabricating his background including his education, employment and financial history. Several Republicans in the state have called for him to resign, but others say it's not their place to make that call. Santos has said he will not step down.

The next chance voters could have a say is two years from now in the next election as Margaret Thompson, associate professor of history and political science points out.

"The voters who elected Mr. Santos did so on the basis of the way he presented himself, which, as we now know, included a lot of fabricated information," Thompson says. "They decided on the basis of his false pretenses. So they can't really decide. There's no mechanism for a recall election."

Read more in the WRVO article, "New York Republicans differ over whether Rep. George Santos should resign."

Political Science Department
100 Eggers Hall