• Exterior view of Oak Hall.

The UConn Department of Political Science studies how the political process shapes the choices we face as a community.

We offer academic programs that bridge the humanities and social sciences. Our cutting-edge research reflects our commitment to methodological and intellectual openness and diversity. Our community provides a bedrock for academic exploration and intellectual engagement at the University.

 

Learn more about our department

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Undergraduates

Students can pursue a major, minor, or fast-track master's in political science.

 
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Graduates

Our department offers Ph.D., master's degree, and graduate certificate options.
 
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Research

Our researchers expand boundaries and bring their knowledge to the classroom.
 
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Administration

Find contact information for our Department's administrators and staff members.
 
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News

  • Elizabeth C. Hanson Scholarship
    The Elizabeth C. Hanson Scholarship provides up to $2,000 to support students in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who are pursuing an internship in an international setting or in an organization deeply engaged in international matters.
    Posted on October 16, 2024
  • Student Successes: Early Fall 2024
    Robert Downes (PhD Candidate)’s conference paper on radical ecology and indigeneous thought “Natural Dialectics: Māori & Sioux Ecosophy Encounters the Rule of Law” was published in the open-access/peer-reviewed Journal of International Relations, Peace, and Diplomacy Studies.  Robert Downes (PhD Candidate)’s article “Green Anarchy & Red Praxis: An Anarcho-Indigenous Dialouge Towards a Democracy of Species” was […]
    Posted on October 16, 2024
  • Alumni Notes: Early Fall 2024
    Michael Hernandez (‘22) was profiled by the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy for their admission materials. Michael is pursuing a Masters in Public Policy and a Master of Divinity at the University of Chicago.  Daniel Fata (‘94) was the ‘24 Commencement Speaker for the Masters Ceremony at UConn last spring.  Sherlynn Vendome […]
    Posted on October 16, 2024

Upcoming Events

  1. Nov 7 How to Win an Election, Reflections on the 2024 Campaigns 12:30pm
  2. Nov 8 Blocked Access to Birth Registration: Implications for Migrant Families’ Economic & Social Rights 12:00pm
  3. Nov 8 Brassroots Democracy: Maroon Ecologies and the Jazz Commons 2:00pm
  4. Nov 21 For the People and the Land: Direct Action Environmental Justice 12:30pm
  5. Dec 2 In Conversation: The Role of the States in Preserving Democracy 5:00pm
All Events »

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You all know that we have a historic presidential election next week on Tuesday, November 5th. Please vote!! And for the first time ever, you can even vote right here on campus.

When you do vote, please take a picture with your "I Voted" sticker and tag us on Instagram at ...@uconn_pols! We'd love to see and share you taking part in our democratic system.

As a part of the First Gen College Student Week, POLS is holding a raffle for first gen students to win coffee with Dr. Bergendahl!!! Learn how to find an internship, when you should be looking, when to apply, what you need to know about the application process,earning credit for an ...internship,internship duties and professionalism, and anything else you’d like to ask!


If you’re unable to get to Storrs, you can have a virtual meeting with Dr. Bergendahl. Either way, the coffee is on us!
(Limited to one entry per person. The meeting, whether in person or virtual, must be held no later than Dec. 15, 2024.)

We're excited to announce our first-ever Political Science t-shirt design contest! If you enjoy graphic design, we'd love your help creating a t-shirt for our graduating seniors. If interested, please email pols@uconn.edu for specific design instructions and graphics. We ask that you ...submit your designs by December 1st.

BridgeUSA is a club here at UConn that is dedicated to combating political polarization through discussions and events. It is open to all students from all ends of the political spectrum, feel free to check it out!!

J. Toscano, of Backstory Strategies, has been devising strategy and cutting TV and digital ads for candidates, party committees, and public interest groups for more than 20 years. He’s helped elect members of Congress like progressive firebrand Pramila Jayapal, Dr. Kim Schrier, House impeachment ...manager Sylvia Garcia and Steven Horsford, the first Black member of Congress in Nevada history. He’s worked with VoteVets, the League of Conservation Voters, and other groups to elect patriots and environmental champions to Congress. Prior to becoming a political consultant, Toscano, a Connecticut native, served as the Communications Director for the House Democratic Caucus and as the Director of Public Affairs for Americorps during the Clinton Administration.

Join us Thursday, November 7th for an event on How to Win an Election!

Interested in learning more about opportunities in sustainability? Dorothy Piszczek, Program Coordinator for Sustainable CT, will be on campus to discuss internship and fellowship opportunities. This event will take place Wednesday, October 30th, in SHH439 or via the WebEx link in our bio. We hope ...you'll join us!

The Department of Political Science is hosting their colloquium event, The Fog of Accountability: Why We Can't Have Nice Things in American Cities and How We Can Fix it, on Wednesday, October 20th. Invited Speaker is Justin de Benedictis-Kessner, of Harvard University. Join us in SHH 408 or ...via the WebEx link in our bio. We hope to see you there!

Join us next Wednesday, 10/30 for another one of our Pizza and Politics events! Come chat with others in the POLS department about current events, while eating pizza! This event is open to everyone. We hope to see you there!

UConn magazine article highlights 3 UConn Political Science alumni that are members of the Congress' Afghanistan War Commission

https://magazine.uconn.edu/2024/10/15/this-war-mattered/