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

1034
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

  • Student Success
    Carina Adams-Szabo ‘26 was the fourth place winner in the Innovation Quest (iQ) entrepreneurship competition in April, which drew 170 participating UConn students in the entrepreneurship workshops, and 30+ entering the formal competition. The 5 winners shared a $35,000 prize. Carina create MadeByMe!, a simple “one-click” protection tool for creators and can be built directly into […]
    Posted on October 26, 2026
  • Alumnae Notes
    Undergraduate POLS Alumni Julian Cote-Dorado ’24 and Daniel Leaf ‘23 had a chance meeting in Germany recently while on respective State Department programs.  Julian was there as part of the Congress-­Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals program while Dan was in Germany as an International Parliamentary Scholarship (IPS) Bundestag Fellow.  Julian has now accepted a position at […]
    Posted on October 26, 2026
  • Faculty Achievements
    Dr. Virginia Hettinger and Ph.D. Alumni Dr. Alllyson Yankle ‘16 have published an article entitled, “I Can’t Define Judiciousness, but I Know It when I Don’t See It,” in the Journal of Law and Empirical Analysis (2026) which examines how allegations of unethical behavior influence public perceptions of judicial nominees.   Dr. Michael Rubin has published […]
    Posted on October 26, 2026

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UConn Department of Political Science

1 days ago

Interested in working with faculty on Political Science Research?? Join us virtually on Wednesday November 18th and hear... Lightbox link for post with description Interested in working with faculty on Political...

Interested in working with faculty on Political Science Research?? Join us virtually on Wednesday November 18th and hear professors discuss their research and how you can get involved!! The webex link is: https://uconn-cmr.webex.com/meet/jessica.negron
I hope to see you there!! 😊😊

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Account avatar for UConn Department of Political Science

UConn Department of Political Science

2 days ago

Join the POLS department for the next speaker in the Edwin Way Teale Lecture Series!!! Molly Burhans will be speaking this... Lightbox link for post with description Join the POLS department for the next speaker in...

Join the POLS department for the next speaker in the Edwin Way Teale Lecture Series!!! Molly Burhans will be speaking this Thursday, November 12th from 4-5pm in the Dodd Center!!! Can't wait to see everyone there!

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