Understanding How Political Processes Shape Community Decisions

Our programs bridge the humanities and social sciences and provide hands-on learning opportunities for students.

About the Department

Our community provides a bedrock for academic exploration and intellectual engagement at UConn. We produce cutting-edge research that reflects our commitment to methodological and intellectual openness and diversity.

By the Numbers

900+
Undergraduate Majors

115
Honors Students

40
Faculty at Five UConn Campuses

40
Graduate Students

7
New Research Labs

Quick Links

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Find a Professor

Browse our faculty directory and explore how their research is working to address critical questions in political science.
 
Meet Our Faculty

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Academic Advising

Our advisors help students navigate their degree requirements, select courses, and make the most of their academic experience.
 
Connect With Us

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Undergraduate Courses

Explore a broad range of topics in political science, including political theory, international relations, and American politics.

Browse Courses

Research

Our Department is organized around five subfields that reflect the conceptual and theoretical questions addressed in political science:

  • American Politics
  • Comparative Politics
  • International Relations
  • Political Theory
  • Public Law

News

  • POLS Launches Pilot Alumni Mentorship Program
    The pilot POLS Alumni Mentorship Program will provide 10 political science majors an opportunity to gain career guidance and leadership support from high-profile alumni of the UConn Department of Political Science.
    Posted on October 21, 2025
  • Alumni Notes: Early Spring 2025
    Adam Kuegler (’17) is the first UConn Law graduate to be accepted to the Supreme Court Fellows Program. Dan Fata (’94), Jeffrey Dressler (’08), and Jaime Cheshire (’99)‘s service on the Afghanistan War Commission was mentioned in UConn Magazine.  Susette Talarico (’76) was awarded The President’s Medal at the University of Georgia for her profoundly […]
    Posted on March 31, 2025
  • Faculty Achievements: Early Spring 2025
    Dr. Matthew Singer’s paper “This Crisis Is Different: Weakened Economic Accountability During the COVID-19 Pandemic” was published in Presidential Studies Quarterly on Jan 15, 2025.  Dr. Zehra Arat, Dr. Jason Byers, and Dr. Sandy Grande were winners of the 2024-2025 Course Development Grant Competition to create new courses. Dr. Arat’s course will be “Women’s Rights […]
    Posted on March 31, 2025

Upcoming Events

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Account avatar for UConn Department of Political Science

UConn Department of Political Science

4 days ago

Teale Lecture Series is hosing Dr. Gordon Pennycook a professor at Cornell University!! Join on Thursday November, 13th at 4pm in the Konover Auditorium to hear his talk about AI and misconceptions!!! Lightbox link for post with description Teale Lecture Series is hosing Dr. Gordon...

Teale Lecture Series is hosing Dr. Gordon Pennycook a professor at Cornell University!! Join on Thursday November, 13th at 4pm in the Konover Auditorium to hear his talk about AI and misconceptions!!!

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Account avatar for UConn Department of Political Science

UConn Department of Political Science

1 weeks ago

Happy First Gen week!!! Here are a few photos from the First Gen Resource Fair and the First Gen Display in the library. The display includes POLS major Katherine Gutierrez!! Be sure to check out @uconnfirstgen for more cool events this week!!! Lightbox link for post with description Happy First Gen week!!! Here are a few photos ...

Happy First Gen week!!! Here are a few photos from the First Gen Resource Fair and the First Gen Display in the library. The display includes POLS major Katherine Gutierrez!!

Be sure to check out @uconnfirstgen for more cool events this week!!!

630
Follow
Account avatar for UConn Department of Political Science

UConn Department of Political Science

2 weeks ago

Today begins First-Gen week!!! The POLS department would like to highlight two First Generation Political Science majors and share a few of their tips and stories!!! Be sure to check out @uconnfirstgen for more events this week!!! Lightbox link for post with description Today begins First-Gen week!!! The POLS ...

Today begins First-Gen week!!! The POLS department would like to highlight two First Generation Political Science majors and share a few of their tips and stories!!! Be sure to check out @uconnfirstgen for more events this week!!!

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