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

6
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 2025-26
    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

Featured Headlines

  • Four alumni award recipients pose with the dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in front of a UConn Foundation campaign backdrop.
    CLAS Honors Outstanding Alumni at 2026 Awards Ceremony

    The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recognized six alumni whose careers reflect the impact of a UConn education, from leaders in public service, science, and health to emerging professionals already shaping the future of their fields.

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UConn Department of Political Science

6 days ago

Since April marks Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month. The Human Rights Institute is hosting Kristina Hook, Ph.D., of Kennesaw State University, to lead a public lecture that will take place this Thursday, April 23 at 4:00 pm ET in the Konover Auditorium. Dr. Hook’s work engages important questions of civilian insight and recognition in times of mass violence, with particular insight on the war in Ukraine. We’d love to gather a significant audience of students, faculty, and community members for her lecture this Thursday evening. For more information: https://events.uconn.edu/human-rights-institute/event/2037197-who-knows-first-ukraine-and-the-expertise-of-targete Lightbox link for post with description Since April marks Genocide Awareness and...

Since April marks Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month. The Human Rights Institute is hosting Kristina Hook, Ph.D., of Kennesaw State University, to lead a public lecture that will take place this Thursday, April 23 at 4:00 pm ET in the Konover Auditorium.

Dr. Hook’s work engages ...important questions of civilian insight and recognition in times of mass violence, with particular insight on the war in Ukraine.

We’d love to gather a significant audience of students, faculty, and community members for her lecture this Thursday evening.

For more information: https://events.uconn.edu/human-rights-institute/event/2037197-who-knows-first-ukraine-and-the-expertise-of-targete

50
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UConn Department of Political Science

1 weeks ago

Hello UConn POLS, Just a quick reminder that UConn Gives begins tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. These two days can make such an impact when Huskies show up early and support the areas they care about. This year, UConn Political Science Department has a personal page, and we are aiming to have as many participants as possible no matter the size of contributions! Use the link below to donate: https://giving.uconn.edu/schools/UniversityofConnecticut/uconn-gives-2026/pages/clas/political-science Two Days. One UConn. Because of You. Can’t wait to see what we accomplish together! Go Huskies! Lightbox link for post with description Hello UConn POLS, Just a quick reminder that...

Hello UConn POLS,

Just a quick reminder that UConn Gives begins tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. These two days can make such an impact when Huskies show up early and support the areas they care about.

This year, UConn Political Science Department has a personal page, and we are aiming to ...have as many participants as possible no matter the size of contributions!

Use the link below to donate:
https://giving.uconn.edu/schools/UniversityofConnecticut/uconn-gives-2026/pages/clas/political-science

Two Days. One UConn. Because of You.
Can’t wait to see what we accomplish together!
Go Huskies!

10
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Account avatar for UConn Department of Political Science

UConn Department of Political Science

1 weeks ago

A new POLS Summer course is being offered!! POLS 3040 Power, Politics and Art is an asynchronous online course that focuses on the political messages of art and architecture. This class satisfies the Political Theory requirement for POLS Majors, CA4, and TOI-1 and 2. If you need a summer course check this out! Lightbox link for post with description A new POLS Summer course is being offered!! POLS...

A new POLS Summer course is being offered!! POLS 3040 Power, Politics and Art is an asynchronous online course that focuses on the political messages of art and architecture. This class satisfies the Political Theory requirement for POLS Majors, CA4, and TOI-1 and 2. If you need a summer course ...check this out!

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