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The Political Science Department aspires to offer one of the best undergraduate educations in politics in the country. We provide our students with the analytic tools to become thoughtful, creative, and ethical leaders and problem-solvers.

The department is especially strong in combining deep exploration of theory with engagement on real-time policy challenges. It is committed to creating an environment in which a diverse array of political and intellectual viewpoints are welcomed, explored, and critiqued. Students in Political Science courses are exposed to a variety of pedagogical styles, and graduate with strong analytical writing skills. And the department works hard to provide majors with access to co-curricular learning opportunities, including our popular 51¹ÙÍø in Washington summer internship program.

The department's instructors have won five college and state teaching awards since 1990. The faculty has produced 18 books since 2000, and has published articles in top political science journals. The faculty are engaged in the policy world, having served as staff or consultants in Congress and for the Department of State, the United Nations, the World Bank, UNICEF, and others. They are also very active in the media, appearing on CNN-International, BBC, NPR's All Things Considered, MSNBC, Fox News, Al Jazeera, PBS News Hour, and multiple local news outlets.