(See also History/Political Science Joint Major 514)

Department of Political Science, School of Arts and Sciences

Website: https://www.polisci.rutgers.edu

Chair: Richard Lau

Undergraduate Director: William Field

Professors:
 
Ross K. Baker, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., Pennsylvania

Douglas H. Blair, B.A., Swarthmore College; M.A., M.Phil., Ph.D., Yale

Susan J. Carroll, A.B., Miami (Ohio); M.A., Ph.D., Indiana

Eric Davis, B.A., SUNY (Binghamton); M.A., Ph.D., Chicago

Milton Heumann, B.A., CUNY (Brooklyn College); M.Phil., Ph.D., Yale

Robert Kaufman, A.B., Ph.D., Harvard

Jan Kubik, B.A., M.A., Jagiellonian (Poland); Ph.D., Columbia

Richard R. Lau, B.A., Stanford; M.A., Ph.D., California (Los Angeles)

Beth L. Leech, B.S.J., Northwestern; Ph.D., Texas A&M

Jack Levy, B.S., Harvey Mudd College; M.A., Ph.D., Wisconsin (Madison)

Manus I. Midlarsky, B.S., CUNY (City College); M.S., Stevens Institute of Technology; Ph.D., Northwestern

Lisa Miller, B.A., Virginia; M.A., Ph.D., Washington

Associate Professors:

Peter Dennis Bathory, B.A., Oberlin College; Ph.D., Harvard

R. Daniel Kelemen, B.A., California (Berkeley); Ph.D., Stanford

Mona L. Krook, B.A., Columbia; M.A., Ph.D., Stanford

Susan Lawrence, B.A., Furman; M.A., Ph.D., Johns Hopkins

Assistant Professors:

Stacey Greene, B.S., Loyola (New Orleans); M.A., Ph.D., California (Los Angeles)

Xian Huang, B.A., M.A., Peking; Ph.D., Columbia

Michael Kenwick, B.A., Illinois (Urbana-Champaign); Ph.D., Pennsylvania State

Summer Lindsey, B.A., M.A., M.A., Ph.D., Columbia

The political science major is designed to engage students with the philosophical and practical problems of political organization, action, and governance and to encourage critical thinking about the nature of citizenship, rights, and duties in the modern world. The undergraduate political science curriculum is divided into three general areas: theoretical approaches to politics, American institutions and politics, and foreign and international politics. While majors may choose to focus their studies on one of these areas, they are required to develop a solid intellectual foundation and understanding that spans all three and to approach the study of political science within the broader context of the social sciences.

Students completing the political science major are expected to develop the ability to read and listen critically, to reason analytically and engage in thoughtful moral judgment, and to write and speak clearly and forcefully. The major emphasizes the enhancement of key intellectual skills and qualities of mind--the habits of questioning, debating, challenging, and shaping coherent and persuasive arguments and interpretation--and seeks to involve undergraduates in the active research life of the department.

Coursework is organized into two general levels. Classes at the 100 and 200 levels are regarded as introductory and are designed to familiarize students with general concepts, basic knowledge, and modes of inquiry, as well as to serve as a foundation for additional coursework. Classes at the 300 and 400 levels focus on more specialized issues, questions, or problems. In general, students should complete appropriate introductory coursework before enrolling in upper-division classes.

Political science majors are strongly encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to engage in experiential learning at Rutgers. These opportunities include the one-semester Washington Internship Program, Rutgers Study Abroad, and internships supervised by the department.

Prior to declaring a major in political science, a student must complete at least two 100-level political science courses with an average grade of C or better. These courses can be counted toward major credit.