Faculty
Professors Emeriti
Carlos A. Astiz, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University
Thomas W. Church, Ph.D., Cornell University
José E. Cruz, Ph.D., City University of New York — Graduate Center
Martin Edelman, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (Collins Fellow)
Webb S. Fiser, Ph.D., University of Chicago
John G. Gunnell, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Alvin Magid, Ph.D., Michigan State University
Michael J. Malbin, Ph.D., Cornell University
Bruce L. Miroff, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley (Collins Fellow)
Charles D. Tarlton, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Frank J. Thompson, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley
Lewis P. Welch, Ph.D., Syracuse University
Theodore P. Wright Jr., Ph.D., Yale University
Associate Professor Emerita
Anne M. Hildreth, Ph.D., University of Iowa
Professors
Victor Asal, Ph.D., University of Maryland
Cheng Chen, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Bryan Early, Ph.D., University of Georgia
Reynold Koslowski, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Julie Novkov, Ph.D., University of Michigan (Dean, Collins Fellow)
Morton Schoolman, Ph.D., Brown University
Patricia Strach, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison
Meredith Weiss, Ph.D., Yale University
Associate Professors
Peter D. Breiner, Ph.D., Stanford University
Christopher Clary, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Virginia Eubanks, Ph.D., Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Sally Friedman, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Brian Greenhill, Ph.D., University of Washington (Chair)
Matthew Ingram, Ph.D., University of New Mexico
Gregory P. Nowell, Ph.D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
David Rousseau, Ph.D., University of Michigan (Collins Fellow)
Niloufer A. Siddiqui, Ph.D., Yale University
Timothy Weaver, Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania
Assistant Professors
Cammie Jo Bolin, Ph.D., Georgetown University
Stefan Kehlenbach, Ph.D. University of California, Riverside
Justin Zimmerman, Ph.D. Northwestern University
Adjuncts (estimated): 5
Teaching Assistants (estimated): 12
Political science is the study of the activity and organization of society for the realization of public goals and values. Political science is designed to prepare the student for responsible and effective citizenship, political participation, and advanced academic or professional studies. The student of political science may gain an understanding and appreciation of political values, institutions, and processes operating in American, foreign, and international systems.
Careers
Majors in the Department of Political Science may use their studies as preparation for graduate programs in law, public administration, public affairs, or other professional programs. Political science can also lead to entry-level employment in government or industry training programs. Our programs provide a basis for effective citizen participation in public affairs whether or not a student pursues further professional training. The most common careers are in law, government service, teaching, business, and journalism.
Undergraduate Study
The faculty and students in the Department of Political Science study politics in all of its manifestations:
- The institutions of government in the United States and around the world
- The role of interest groups, and elections and political parties in the political process
- The relationships among nations
- The connections of the law and courts to politics
- The role of citizens in government
We use diverse forms of analysis- theoretical and philosophical, historical and institutional, quantitative- to understand these issues.
The program requirements of the major in Political Science are made up of courses at four levels, providing breadth at the introductory level, depth in one of four distinct areas of specialization and, through elective courses, the opportunity to explore different types of political issues. As soon as possible after declaring a Political Science major, a student should meet with an academic advisor in the department and declare a concentration.
Concentrations
American Politics
The faculty in American politics have research and teaching interests in all areas of the subfield: American political institutions (the presidency, Congress, courts, state and local government, political parties), as well as political processes (elections, public opinion, urban politics, race and politics, political behavior, public policy formation). Given its location in the state capital and within Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, the department offers students unique opportunities to study ongoing research projects at the intersection of politics and public policy.
Equality and Justice
As discussions of economic and political inequalities become increasingly present in our political debates, issues of equality and justice have become central to the polity. Courses in this concentration focus on these issues by examining the intersection of law and social policy as it pertains to underrepresented groups. Taught by faculty from different subfields these courses examine debates about group identity, civil rights and liberties, discrimination and the meaning of justice in a democracy.
Law
The rule of law, often overlooked and sometimes contentious, plays a central role in everyday American life. Courses in this concentration focus on the development and operation of the legal system, the work of the branches of government and the interactions of these political institutions with the public. Taught by faculty from different subfields, these courses consider how laws are constructed and implemented, how they affect ordinary citizens, and the impact they have on public policy debates and political change.
Political Theory
The subfield of political theory includes faculty members whose interests range from the traditional texts to contemporary theory, including critical theory, deconstructive readings of political theory, theories of political judgment, and German social and political theory. Although students are allowed to work out their own program with faculty mentors, the program aims to give students a firm grounding in the history of political theory, interpretive theory and the philosophy of the social sciences, and the various strands of contemporary theory.
World Politics
The world politics faculty have research and teaching interests in a range of substantive and geographical areas, current changes in the world, and the comparative study of political systems. Particular areas of interest include civil-military relations, political economy, gender and LGBTQ rights, human rights, political violence and terrorism, contentious politics, foreign policy, regional integration, nationalism, ethnicity and international relations, international conflict and security, international regimes, WMD, and economic statecraft. The faculty has regional specializations in Latin America, Southeast Asia, Europe, Israel-Palestine and China.
Special Programs or Opportunities
Recognizing the fact that a lawyer must be politically knowledgeable, many pre-law students major in political science. Individuals engaged in the practice of law automatically are involved in political activities because of their dealings with the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. Political science majors gain the strong analytical and writing skills they will need to succeed in law school and in legal practice, and the Public Law concentration can help students to determine whether attending law school is the right choice.
The location of the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy in the capital city of the Empire State affords students of political science unusual opportunities to observe and study the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the state government, the second largest public employer in the United States. With a few exceptions, the principal office of each state department, division, and office is located in Albany.
Internship opportunities are available for juniors and seniors to work in legislative and other governmental offices in Albany; the department also organizes a competitive Semester in Washington internship program available in the fall and spring semesters, open to high achieving students across the university.
Library resources to support research in New York State government are excellent. Students have access to the New York State Library, with one of the largest collections in the world. State departments, divisions, and offices also have specialized libraries containing information not commonly housed in university or public libraries.
Degree Requirements for the Major in Political Science effective Fall 2026
General Program B.A.
Minimum of 36 credits distributed as follows
Required core courses
- RPOS 101 American Politics
- RPOS 102 Comparative and International Politics
- RPOS 103 Political Theory
12 credits at or above 300 level chosen within the concentration
One 400 level Writing Intensive course (which may be among the credits in the selected concentration)
15 Credits within Political Science at the 300 or higher level or among 200 level with prerequisites. At least 9 of these credits must be taken at the 300 level or higher.
Only one concentration may be completed.
The courses for each area of concentration are as follows:
American Politics
- RPOS 303/RPAD 304 What Government Does and Why
- RPOS 319 American Political Development
- RPOS 320 American Federalism
- RPOS 321/RPAD 321 State and Local Government
- RPOS 322/RPAD 322 Government & Politics of New York City
- RPOS 323 Urban Government
- RPOS 324/ALCS 375 Latino Politics in the United States
- RPOS 325/RPAD 325 The Government and Politics of New York State
- RPOS 329/RPAD 329 Administrative Leadership
- RPOS 331 American Legislatures
- RPOS 332 The Presidency
- RPOS 333 Women and the Law
- RPOS 334 American Political Parties and Groups
- RPOS 335 The American Supreme Court
- RPOS 337 Campaigns and Elections in U.S.
- RPOS 340/RPAD 340 Introduction to Policy Analysis
- RPOS 341/RPAD 341 Washington in Perspective
- RPOS 345 Contemporary Policy Issues
- RPOS 347 Comparative Latin American Migration: The United States and Europe
- RPOS 348 Comparative Urban Politics: The United States and Europe
- RPOS 365 Government and the Mass Media
- RPOS 379 Black American Politics
- RPOS 384 Formulation of American Foreign Policy
- RPOS 410Z/RPAD 410 Race, Ethnicity, and Politics
- RPOS 424Z Community Politics
- RPOS 430Z Founding the American National Government
- RPOS 433Z/AWSS 433 Women, Politics, and Power
- RPOS 435Z Congress and the Presidency
- RPOS 438Z Political Behavior
- RPOS 439Z Topics in American Politics
- RPOS 448Z Identities, Boundaries & Mobilization
- RPOS 495Z/RPAD 490Z Research and Writing in Washington
Equality and Justice
- RPOS 306 Contemporary Democratic Theory
- RPOS 307 American Political Theory
- RPOS 313/AWSS 360 Feminist Social and Political Thought
- RPOS 321/RPAD 321 State and Local Government
- RPOS 324/ALCS 375 Latino Politics in the United States
- RPOS 326 Introduction to Public Law
- RPOS 346/AWSS 346 Law, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity
- RPOS 372 The Welfare State
- RPOS 377 Politics of Southeast Asia
- RPOS 379: Black American Politics
- RPOS 410/RPAD 410 Race, Ethnicity, and Politics
- RPOS 419Z Equality Left and Right
- RPOS 424 Community Politics
- RPOS 433Z/AWSS 433 Women, Politics, and Power
- RPOS 437Z Law and Society
- RPOS 439Z Topics in American Politics: Controversies in American Values
- RPOS 448Z Identities, Boundaries & Mobilization
- RPOS 449Z Topics in Public Law: Equal Citizenship in Comparative Perspective
- RPOS 469Z Topics in Comparative Politics: Democracy and Democratization
- RPOS 474Z Politics of International Migration
Law
- RPOS 317 Comparative Criminal Procedure
- RPOS 320 American Federalism
- RPOS 326 Introduction to Public Law
- RPOS 327 Comparative Judicial Politics
- RPOS 328/RPAD 328 Law and Policy
- RPOS 330 Law, Courts, and Politics
- RPOS 333/AWSS 333 Women and the Law
- RPOS 335 The American Supreme Court
- RPOS 336 Civil Liberties
- RPOS 344 Predicting the Supreme Court
- RPOS 346/AWSS 346 Law, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity
- RPOS 363/RCRJ 353 American Criminal Courts
- RPOS 425Z Justice Reform in Latin America
- RPOS 426Z American Constitutional Law I
- RPOS 427Z American Constitutional Law II
- RPOS 428Z Comparative Legal Systems
- RPOS 437Z Law and Society
- RPOS 449Z Topics in Public Law
Political Theory
- RPOS 301 History of Political Theory I
- RPOS 302 History of Political Theory II
- RPOS 306 Contemporary Democratic Theory
- RPOS 307 American Political Theory
- RPOS 308 Theorists and Theorizing
- RPOS 310/TPOS 310 Contemporary Political Philosophy
- RPOS 313/AWSS 360 Feminist Social and Political Thought
- RPOS/TPOS 314 Problems of Political Inquiry
- RPOS 419Z Seminar in Political Theory
World Politics
- RPOS 309 Theoretical Perspectives on Globalization (3)
- RPOS 317 Comparative Criminal Procedure
- RPOS 327 Comparative Judicial Politics
- RPOS 343/RPAD 343 Homeland Security
- RPOS 347 Comparative Latin American Migration: The United States and Europe
- RPOS 348 Comparative Urban Politics: The United States and Europe
- RPOS 349: Urban Politics for Latin America
- RPOS 350/RPAD 350 Comparative Public Policy
- RPOS 351 European Politics
- RPOS 353 Developing Political Systems
- RPOS 354 Russian Domestic Politics
- RPOS 355 Government and Politics in Sub-Saharan Africa
- RPOS 356 Russian Foreign Policy
- RPOS 357/ALCS 357 Latin American & Caribbean Politics
- RPOS 360 Violent Political Conflict
- RPOS 361 Comparative Ethnicity
- RPOS 362 Nationalism and Nation-Building
- RPOS 364 Building Democracy
- RPOS 366/RPAD 364 Approaches to Development
- RPOS 367 Politics of the Middle East
- RPOS 368 Information Technology and World Politics
- RPOS 370 International Relations: Theory
- RPOS 371 International Relations: Practice
- RPOS 373/AEAC 373 Government and Politics in the People's Republic of China
- RPOS 375 International Organization
- RPOS 376 The Foreign Policy of the People's Republic of China
- RPOS 377 Politics of Southeast Asia
- RPOS 378 Politics of South Asia
- RPOS 380 Basics of International Law
- RPOS 381 Money and Power
- RPOS 383 American Foreign Policy
- RPOS 384 Formulation of American Foreign Policy
- RPOS 386 International Conflict and Security
- RPOS 387 Public Spending and Fiscal Policy
- RPOS 395/RPAD 395 International Political Economy
- RPOS 396/RPAD 396 Energy Policy, Domestic and International
- RPOS 398/RPAD 398 Comparative National Security Policy
- RPOS 422Z North Korea History, Culture, and Politics
- RPOS 425Z Justice Reform in Latin America
- RPOS 428Z: Comparative Legal Systems
- RPOS 447Z/ALCS 465 Latina/os and Inequality in America
- RPOS 450Z Theory and Research on Global Politics
- RPOS 452Z Communist and Post-Communist Political Systems
- RPOS 469Z Topics in Comparative Politics
- RPOS 472Z International Conflict and Resolution
- RPOS 473Z Economic Relations in the Global System
- RPOS 474Z Politics of International Migration
- RPOS 479Z Topics in International Relations
- RPOS 484Z American Foreign Policy Formulation and Implementation
Additional Electives:
- RPOS 100 Introduction to Political Science
- RPOS 140 Introduction to Public Policy
- RPOS 203 Political Thought
- RPOS 204 Selected Problems in Political Science
- TPOS 204 Selected Problems in Political Science Honors
- RPOS 206 Politics in Film
- RPOS 210 Contemporary Political Philosophy Honors
- TPOS 214 Problems of Political Inquiry Honors
- TPOS 219 American Political Development
- TPOS 220 Great Transformations in American Politics
- RPOS 225 Inequality in New York City
- RPOS 235 Political Storytelling
- TPOS 248 Identities, Boundaries and Mobilization
- RPOS 250 Research and Method in Political Science
- TPOS 250 Research and Method in Political Science
- TPOS 255 Race and the American Empire
- TPOS 260 Political Violence: Honors
- TPOS 261Y Comparative Ethnicity
- TPOS 265 Government and Mass Media Honors
- RPOS 266 International Political Economic Science
- TPOS 266 International Political Economic Science
- TPOS 281 Money and Power
- RPOS 295 The Supreme Court and American Constitutional History
- RPOS 297 Thinking Ahead: Careers in Public Affairs
- RPOS 316 Methodological Tools for Public Policy
- RPOS 342 Washington Internship
- RPOS 390 Internship Political Science/Public Administration & Policy
- RPOS 397 Experiential and Service Learning in Political Science
- RPOS 400 Honors Tutorial in Political Science
- RPOS 417Z Research Methods in Political Science
- RPOS 496 Great Ideas in Political Science
- RPOS 498 Independent Study
- RPOS 499Z Honors Thesis
Internships cannot be used to satisfy the 400 level course requirement, but honors seminars or independent studies can be counted if they are appropriate and with permission.
Independent study courses are used to deal with topics not covered by regular departmental offerings and after classroom courses dealing with the same subject have been completed. Prior to registering for independent study, students must have their proposed research project approved by a faculty member willing to direct the research. The student's prospectus must outline the topic of the proposed research, indicate its importance to political science, and describe the methodology to be employed and methodological problems that may be encountered. Only Public Administration courses that are cross listed with Political Science are acceptable in meeting the 36 credit requirement.
The Political Science Internship (RPOS 390) is open to juniors and seniors. A maximum of 3 credits from RPOS 390, UUNI 390, 391 or 392 will be applied toward a major in Political Science. Approval of the department is required prior to enrollment.
The Department recommends that students take the 200 level topical courses and/or the department's R POS 250 Research Methods in Political Science. Students who came to UAlbany as transfers are particularly encouraged to take RPOS 250.
Honors Program
This program is designed to provide qualified students with the opportunity for a special educational experience in small seminars where they can develop their writing, discussion, and analytical skills.
Majors may apply for admission to the Director of the Honors Program at the end of the sophomore year, or for junior transfers, upon admission to the University.
The requirements for admission include: an overall cumulative grade point average of 3.50, and a 3.70 in political science courses; and completion of 12 credits in political science (including, normally, RPOS 101, 102, and 103) before beginning the program.
Honors Program Requirements
The Honors Program requires 16 credits of honors work. All students beginning the Honors Program will take Great Ideas in Political Science (RPOS 496Z). This seminar is taught each fall and only honors students may enroll.
Students in the honors program must take two 4 credit honors versions of existing 300 level courses. Students in the honors program will have the option of capping their studies with either a 4 credit honors thesis (RPOS 499Z) written under the supervision of a faculty member or a 4 credit version of an existing 400 level course in which the honors student will undertake a major writing project.
Honors students will need to have an upper-division area of concentration in American Politics, Equality & Justice, Law, Political Theory, of World Politics The two 300 level honors courses and the 400 level honors course or honors thesis can be used to fulfill this requirement. Honors students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.25 overall and 3.50 in political science and earn a grade of B+ or better on the honors thesis in order to graduate with honors. Students who earn a grade of U/E in any political science course will not be eligible to continue in the honors program. If there are extenuating circumstances that impact a student’s ability to meet this requirement, they may appeal to the department’s undergraduate committee for an exception.